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All posts tagged sangiovese

White Wines Made From Red Grapes

Categories: Wine Industry News
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Red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon are increasingly being used to produce white wines. The results? Bold, complex whites with red-fruit notes that are worth seeking out. Read more

Why You Should Explore Australia’s Mornington Peninsula

Categories: Wine Industry News
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The wineries of this region near Melbourne are small but produce exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here's where to go on this picturesque peninsula. Read more

An Introduction to Temecula / South Coast

Categories: Wine Industry News
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Temecula Valley is an overlooked gem for wine lovers. Varieties like Syrah and Cab Sauv thrive. but also try up-and-coming varieties like Sangiovese. Read more

Ripe Vintage Thanks To Dry Conditions

(MONTALCINO, September 20, 2012) Castello Banfi of Montalcino, Tuscany’s premier vineyard estate, reports that their white grape harvest in Tuscany is complete, and the quality is fine.

“It was an extremely arid growing season, with very little rainfall,” said family proprietor Cristina Mariani-May. “As a result we saw early ripening and low volume compared to previous years – about 25% less than 2011 — but the quality is very good.”

Montalcino in particular experienced an uncharacteristically warm spring, seeing an average March temperature that was double the norm, followed by a similarly hot April.

“The summer came early,” said Enrico Viglierchio, General Manager for Castello Banfi, “and it’s still with us now as we begin picking the reds.”

A heat wave baked Montalcino in August, creating desert-like conditions through much of the region. In some areas, “irrigazione di soccorso” (emergency irrigation) was necessary to keep the early-ripening vines healthy.

“Our team rose to the challenge presented by Mother Nature,” said Ms. Mariani-May, “and they did an outstanding job of working the land so that the grapes developed fully and naturally.”

The vineyards were recently doused with much-needed rain and the thermometer is finally showing more seasonal temperatures. Both are welcome and good signs for the next phase of the harvest – the red wine grapes.

“The climate is now good and we had a little bit of rain that, combined with the more regular temperature, will help the vineyards proceed with polyphenolic maturation,” said Viglierchio.

The harvest is proceeding now with Syrah, followed by Sangiovese in a week to ten days.