“I Pisani più Schietti 2017”, the wine event of Pisa
“I Pisani più Schietti 2017” is a great wine exhibition , which was held on the 25th November 2017 . It took place in the “Il Giardino del Colombre”, which is a nice restaurant inside an old convent called ” I Cappuccini in San Giusto” .
“I Pisani più Schietti 2017” (XVIII edition) was organized by the “F.I.S.A.R of Pisa” (“Confederation of Wine Tasting Experts, Hotels and Restaurants”). It’s a wine tasting of the best wines of the “Hills of Pisa” .
At the “I Pisani più Schietti 2017” there were local wineries of Pisa and its Province promoting the vast heritage of autochthonous grapes such as:
“I Pisani più Schietti 2017”, the wine beyond Bogheri!
The province of Pisa extends over an area characterized by plains and hills that reach an elevation of 200 metres above sea-leve. The wines of Pisa and its Province’s belong to a specific area and are associated with a road that leads gently along green hills in a charming landscape.
There are many family-run Wine Farms : they have changed into businesses and promote their “D.O.C. Wines” (“Registered Designation of Origin“) and “D.O.C.G. Wines” (“Registered and Guaranteed Designation of Origin”) in Italy and abroad.
The wine lands between Pisa and Livorno
Between the provinces of Pisa and Livorno exist zones highly suited to winemaking, with the mother of Tuscan coastal wines, Bolgheri, at the centre, such as :
- Volterra’s State Road 439;
- Terricciola;
- Morrona;
- Fauglia ;
- Montescudaio;
- Castellina Marittima ( “Red and White Wine Montescudaio D.O.C.”);
- Peccioli;
- Ghizzano;
- Palaia (“Chianti”, “Chianti Colline Pisane” , “White San Torpè D.O.C”);
- “Terre di Pisa”: It’s the new “D.O.C. Wines” established in 2011 with its hub in Pontedera and its main red grape varieties :
- Cabernet Sauvignon,;
- Merlot;
- Sangiovese;
- Syrah.
“I Pisani più Schietti 2017”. And the winner is!
“I Pisani più Schietti 2017” included a competition for the best wines of Pisa and its Province. A special commission made up of some members of the “Chamber of Commerce of Pisa” awarded the following wineries :
- First Category “Chianti of the hills of Pisa” (white wines): “Tre Sassi “, “Fontemorsi winery”, Montescudaio;
- Second Category “I.G.T” (red processed wines): “980 AD”, “Villa Saletta winery” , Palaia; “Il Sagrestano”, “Le Palaie winery “, Peccioli; “Cuore Perduto”, “Riccardi Toscanelli winery”, Pontedera;
- Third Category “Vin Santo D.O.C./D.O.C.G.” : “Desiderio”, “Cantine Colline Pisane“, Pisa;
The audience was welcomed in a friendly atmosphere inside the beautiful location of ” I Cappuccini in San Giusto” , the old convent surrounded by a big garden in Pisa .
Despite the pouring rain on , each guest tasted all the wines guided by the advices of the wine tasting experts. They explained the story of “I Pisani più Schietti 2017” , and they were very proud of the quality of their wines .
Moreover, there was the possibility to order something to eat something local as well. It was a great moment to realize what Pisa and its Province can offer in terms of food and wine excellencies. Pisa and Its Province are very proud of its wine production in a region like Tuscany with wineries of National and International fame scattered throughout the country!
“Il Sagrestano, Le Palaie winery”, my best red wine at “I Pisani più Schietti 2017”
It was time to go home and while looking out from the window to check out the awful weather conditions. To me, the best wine of the wine event was :
- “Il Sagrestano”, “Le Palaie”, Peccioli: It’s an intense red wine made of Alicante Bouschet and Sangiovese. It retains a deep ruby colour and tends to be robust in character, full bodied and fruity
“Cuore Perduto , Ricciardi Toscanelli Estate” , a good wine to pair with “carbonara”
What a better time to prepare a “Carbonara” than that cold Saturday evening at the end of the “I Pisani più Schietti 2017” !
I went running straight to a nearby supermarket . While I was looking for some bacon for my “Carbonara dinner” , a beautiful lady promoting the awarded red wine “Cuore Perduto” fell under my eyes.
Her name was Nadia Pesce, owner of the “Ricciardi Toscanelli Estate” in Pontedera , who produced that special wine. I congratulated her for the prize, but she didn’t know anything yet! It was so nice to read her happiness in her big green eyes!
She was there to share her products with common people in a ordinary day while shopping at a local supermarket rather than with the presumed cream of wine experts!
Actually, Nadia Pesce admitted she wasn’t crazy for wine events, because wine belonged to the hands of farmers ! We went on speaking about her personal history.
The history of Nadia Pesce, “Ricciardi Toscanelli Estate”, Pontedera
The family of Nadia Pesce moved 20 years ago from Veneto to Tuscany to manage here her historical plot of land , which today goes by name “Ricciardi Toscanelli Estate “ .
In addition to the cultural historic value of the “Ricciardi Toscanelli Estate “ , the scenic and environmental significance of the area is also notable. It combines the rural character of the agricultural plain and the rich vegetation of the wooded areas of the hills. It has been a great satisfaction to see that Tuscany has a huge heritage in wine-making sector that attracts entrepreneurs from every part of Italy!
If Tuscany is a land of great wines, the province of Pisa is no exception. Pisa is magical, but there’s much more to it than the “Leaning Tower” and its rich art history: there are loads of hidden places and a fabulous Wine & Food side that should not be overlooked! The wine region around Pisa is called the “Chianti oh the Hills of Pisa “.
The viticulture in Pisa goes back to Etruscan time!
Pisa Wine Production has been appreciated ever since the Etruscan period. The wine tradition of this area has very ancient roots: references to the wines produced in this hills have been found in fifteenth century writings.
Here agriculture and wine-growing were encouraged under the “Grand Duchy of Tuscany“ and, according to written testimonies, the excellent wines produced reached the markets of Florence where they had a very good reputation.
“San Torpè DOC”, the old white wine of Pisa
According to some written sources the “White Wine San Torpè” of Pisa has been produced here since 110 AD.
It became a “D.O.C. Wine” (“Registered Designation of Origin”) in 1980 and this name was chosen to remember San Torpè, who is a Christian martyr from Pisa, . He was a Nero’s soldier , who for his conversion to Catholicism .
His body was abandoned on a boat with a dog and a rooster . After a long sailing, the boat landed at a village on the French coast, which was then named for him. The head of San Torpè, is still kept in a church of Pisa dedicated to him.
The “White Wine San Torpè D.O.C.” of Pisa is typical of several municipalities in the province of Pisa and in one municipality in Livorno. It is produced from Trebbiano (minimum 75%) and it is also produced in the two versions of “Vin Santo “ and “Vin Santo Riserva”.
Food in Pisa
The Cuisine in Pisa and its Province offers lots of variety and taste. It is famous for grain, olives. There are lots of restaurants in the historic center of Pisa . They offer typical dishes and products:
- “Monte Pisano olive oil”;
- “Pecorino cheese”:
- ” The lamb of the Migliarino Park”;
- “The Pisan beef”,;
- “The truffle of San Miniato “;
- “The pine nuts of Pisa”;
- “The Pisanello tomatoes” ;
- The special honey of “Migliarino di S. Rossore Massacciucoli”.
What about the food in Pisa?
Pisa’s cuisine varies from fish (eel, octopus) and seafood specialties to game dishes. As far as desserts, a particular mention goes to “Torta con i Bischeri”. It’s a pastry based tart filled with rice cooked in milk and flavoured with lemon, vanilla and nutmeg with the addition of chocolate pieces, candy fruit, raisins and maraschino liqueur.
Vegetables grow in abundance here, given the mild climate of this part of Tuscany , and are used mostly to make quiche and frittatas. Beans are widely used.
My favourite dish is:
- “Pappa al Pomodoro” : it’s made of stale bread, peeled tomatoes, garlic, basil and olive oil. that you could combine for example with one of those incredible Tuscan wines already mentioned!
Pisa and its chocolate
Pisa is famous even for its “Chocolate Valley” a place located between Pisa, Pistoia and Prato where you can find some of the best Italian chocolatiers.
Starting from Pontedera, here there is:
-
- The historic “Amedei” chocolate maker, which is winner of numerous awards, including the “Golden Bean Award” from the “Academy of Chocolate in 2013
The wine and Pisa
Wine is a way to discover Pisa, which lies on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian sea. Although Pisa is known worldwide for its “Leaning tower” (the “Bell Tower of the City’s Cathedral”) , it contains more than 20 other historic churches, several palaces and various bridges across the River Arno . Pisa and its architecture of was financed from its history as one of the Italian “Maritime Republics”.
Pisa is also home of the University of Pisa, which has a history going back to the 12th century and also has the mythic Napoleonic “Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa” and “Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies” as the best sanctioned “Superior Graduate Schools in Italy”. Have a nice holiday!
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