November
18, 2008
Chianti Rùfina
2008 Preview
Italian Food
& Wine Events
Firenze, Toscana
November 18th
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.
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