Christie Kiley on March 24, 2014 0 Comments Quick Characteristics Winery: Fattoria Poggerino Location: Italy Vintage: 2010 I often speak to my people of how I love to just get back to the basics, the simpler side of wine. Wines you can just sit, sip on and just enjoy. They just let you relax and be in the moment so you can contemplate on other things. This week, I am not going to go that far off base, but we are going to get back to some classic wine. By tradition, the classics were meant to be simple, to be enjoyed by the local community from where the wines were made. They are at their best with local, traditional products and fare. However, by today’s standards, even the classics are considered a bit off the beaten path. But nothing wrong with a little adventure every now and then. The wine for the week? The Fattoria Poggerino Chianti Classico 2010. What’s the grape? Some of you know, but for those of you who might not, it’s Sangiovese. When I mentioned we are going to get back to some classic wines, I was not referring to the label, even though it says just that, ‘classico’. Some little wine knowledge for you; in order for the Italians to place ‘clasico’ on a label, the wine must be made according to traditional standards, specific varietals and must be from the original region from which this style of wine was initially made. To be sure you’ve got the real deal, at least from Chianti Classico, there should be a black rooster or the gallo nero ‘stamp’ somewhere on the bottle. You will more than likely find it wrapped around the base foil on the top of the bottle. This is the symbol for Chianti Classico and works as a mark of approval and quality, ensuring it is from the region of Chianti Classico. Before we go on with the wine, I can’t help myself but mention a few words I’ve read about this wine after trying it for myself. One person says, “Too mild mannered to stand up to the steak I paired it with. Maybe better as an appetizer wine. Mild fruit / light tannins…I expected more.” I chuckle! Another a bit more positive and realistic, “Very easy drinking, reasonably complex for a chianti, not too tart. Really good value.” First of all, please do not plan on having this wine with a steak! Obviously this person who makes themselves out to be an expert and snubs their nose up at a wine that doesn’t have the structure to hold up to a steak is anything but. As if the only option for any wine is steak. They obviously need to branch out a bit more and do some research, at the very least on what Chianti really is, or at least check out what you would normally eat with a one. Think roasted, even rotisserie chickens, fish (they do have a sea shore), pastas, light crusty pizzas, garden vegetables. This is the stuff you have with a Chianti! This wine is so not just an appetizer wine! The second review is a bit more on point. It is an easy drinking wine. Being a 2010, the wine has had some time in the bottle. Typically, many wines, especially made in a traditional manner are at their best once they’ve rested a couple of years. Sangiovese is not always the easiest varietal to cultivate as it is really fickle depending on not only its growing region, but like so many grapes, the growing season and how it reaches maturity will play a big part in the resulting wine. It can be tart, high in tannin as a young wine just fresh out of the barrel and into the bottle. This is true for most, but it is most prevalent in Sangiovese. So the 2010 I bring you today will be ideal. The color is a beautiful light ruby and the perfume on the nose is rich in even still fresh berries, raspberries with just a perfect hint of dusty earth and minerals. The first and second sip and even those that follow are pretty. Really, it is just soft, supple and will make your mouth water with a juicy, fruity, berry nuance with an earthy backbone and soft but solid structure. The tannins are rounded and softened in its maturity. For about $24, it will be hard to find a better Chianti Classico of this quality. If you ever wondered what makes a ‘classic’ wine, what it might taste like, etc. This is one of them; simple yet complex and one to share with friends. More Wine Reviews: Las Perdices 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Supery 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Viña Cobos Cakebread Cellars Red Hills 2010 Zinfandel
