November 18, 2008
Chianti Rùfina 2008 Preview

This past weekend the Anteprima Chianti Rùfina 2008 returned to Florence, or its surrounding area to be exact—a two day event presenting the best of past vintages and a preview of the two most recent vintages about to be released in the market. The smallest of the Chanti subzones, spreading over 12,500 hectares in the communes of Dicomano, Londa, Pelago, Pontassieve and Rùfina, it is comprised of only 23 estates representing some of the oldest winemaking traditions of the region—including the Marchese de’ Frescobaldi estates of Castello di Nipozzano and Castello di Pomino.

The first tasting took place on Friday and was hosted by Villa La Massa, a majestic Medici villa and luxury hotel nestled in the foothills of Florence at the banks of the river Arno and at the border of the Chianti Rùfina territory. Organized by the Chanti Rùfina Consortium and AIS (Italian National Sommelier Association), the tasting was reserved only for member of the press and showcased vintages from the 1980’s and 1990’s. Incidentally, this beautiful Tuscan villa and its sister property Villa d’Este in Como, were the backdrop of the recent Passion on the Vine luxury food and wine tour with Sergio that took place on October 26-November 1 and was organized in collaboration with Leading Hotels of the World (read more)—expected to be repeated next year.

Saturday the event moved to Villa Poggio Reale in Rùfina, headquarters of the Consortium and home to the Museo della Vite e del Vino (Museum of Wine and Vine). The first half of the day was reserved once again for the press, a preview tasting of the 2007 and 2006 Riserva vintages about to go on the market, while in the afternoon the Villa opened its doors to the general public for a tasting of the products from each member winery.