Wine Barone Ricasoli, Torricella Chardonnay di Toscana IGT, 2008

Wine "Torricella Chardonnay" is named after the vineyard Torricella, where in the late 80-ies of XX century were planted 3 acres of Chardonnay. The vineyard is situated at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level, on a hill, the soil is of sedimentary origin, rich in sand. Chardonnay grown here is true Tuscan character, with a rich texture and a strong personality that expresses the characteristics of the terroir.

After a mild winter 2008, spring precipitation deficit was recorded. In June, in contrast, reported the presence of unusual precipitation, the amount of which in the first half of the month reached 80 mm. By the end of the month the rains ceased, and summer was generally warm, with little bursts of temperatures. The rains began again only in mid-August. Chardonnay was harvested by hand at the end of August. Grape harvest in 2008 was marked by good acidity and excellent structure. Fermentation was carried out at a temperature of 14-20 C. Grapes also been kriomatseratsii for 6 hours in the absence of oxygen at very low temperature of 4 C. Fermentation took place 2/3 of the wine in new oak barrels with daily battonazhem 1/3 - tanks from stainless steel three months. After assemblage, Torricella Chardonnay was aged another 9 months in oak barrels.

Ricasoli family has ancient roots and is the fourth oldest in the world of family businesses. It is also the oldest company in Italy, the family owns the castle Ricasoli Castello di Brolio with 1141. Ricasoli were among the first who devoted himself to the development of agriculture and viticulture. It is known that since the late 1600's, the family made the first export in Amsterdam and England. And since the beginning of 1900 wine Broglio known and exported all over the world: from China to Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Costa Rica. One of his ancestors, Baron Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880), nicknamed the "Iron Baron", more than 30 years conducted research and experiments with the aim of producing high quality wines of Chianti, able to compete on an international level with the great French wines. Baron has fulfilled this mission to unlock the potential of the terroir Broglio, combining processes, applied science with the principles of winemaking. In 1867, wine Ricasoli won the first gold medal at the International Exhibition in Paris. Activities Baron gave not just a boost to the development of winemaking in Chianti. In accordance with the modern principles of the organization of economic and agriculture, Bettino Ricasoli contributed to the development of roads and railways in the region and many other progressive movements. "Currently, our research nearly a thousand years," - says the great-grandson Bettino Ricasoli - Francesco, managing since 1993 the company, which owns 240 hectares of vineyards and 26 hectares of olive groves in the beautiful and rich diversity of soils and climate of the Chianti region. He continues the noble cause of ancestors, maintaining the quality and character of the great wines of Broglio, conducting tests, assessing the unique features of the area and its history, winning the highest awards world-class and giving new value culture and art of wine drinking.