‘Podere Marcampo’ winery, Volterra, Tuscany

‘Podere Marcampo’ winery, Volterra, Tuscany

“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”

Paulo Coelho

‘Podere Marcampo winery , Volterra, Tuscany

Six years ago two things happened to change my life. First of all, I fell in love with Tuscany , and then I became a sommelier. These were the starting points allowing me to discover the hidden delights of the wine of Pisa . Its area is a charming sun kissed land, stretching from the hills to the sea, blessed by God, as beautiful as unexpected!

Wine runs deep in the veins of Tuscany, being woven into the cultural identity of this central Italian paradise. The wines of Pisa are synonymous with excellence thanks to the efforts of many skilled professionals.

Follow me reading my post about ‘Podere Marcampo winery’ , which is one of the most rappresentative wine enterprise  in Pisa. You’ll discover hidden treasure in the hills of Pisa.

‘Podere Marcampo Winery’ , the jewellery of the hills of Pisa

‘Podere Marcampo winery’ is one of the most important wine business  in the hills of Pisa.  ‘The hills of Pisa’ is not only a ‘DOC label’ , but also a ‘wine road’ , playing an increasingly important role in wine production in Tuscany . It’s  on the rise only recently , starting to get the recognition that is deserves.

‘The hills of Pisa’ meanders through the hills of the valley of the Era River and the lower part of the Arno Valley crossing a territory with traditions dating back to the time of the Etruscans.

‘Podere Marcampo winery’ is green! 

If you head towards this entrancing place you will be greeted by an environment almost untouched by modernity . It ranges from picturesque scenery of mesmerising color set amongst the trees to places, where wine and oil are still cultivated and produced in the traditional way.

‘Podere Marcampo winery’  is an organic biodynamic wine estate which reflects all the beauty and wine production potential of the ‘the hills of Pisa’

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Claudia del Duca, the woman of the wine at ‘Podere Marcampo winery’

In February the first time I sipped the elegant wines of   ‘Podere Marcampo winery’   at ‘Terre di Toscana’. This was  a wine exhibition , which took place at the ‘Luna Hotel’ in Viarreggio. Claudia Del Duca, the owner of ‘Podere Marcampo winery’, invited me to visit her estate in Volterra.

Claudia was very friendly and  professional . What impressed me the most about her was her dedication to her work , and her love for wine,  which she  shared with her parents Genuino and Ivana del Duca.

A wonderful experience at ‘Podere Marcampo winery’

So, I arrived at ‘Podere Marcampo winery’ on a rainy day in late November in  ‘Podere Marcampo winery’  . It’ s a family farm business, which is surrounded by lush and verdant countryside. It produces both excellent and also rare red and white wines, extra virgin olive oil and grappa.

Claudia welcomed me with a big smile. Looking at this scene where sky and sea converge at the Tuscan horizon in an endless embrace, I felt overcome with emotion. We sat down in a small patio near the front of a  private residence, where we talked about the history of the whole family .

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Genuino del Duca, the man of the wine at ‘Podere Marcampo Winery

Claudia explained that ‘Podere Marcampo winery’  was born in 1971 , when her father Genuino del Duca , having been promoted at work as a policeman, had moved from Abruzzo to Volterra . Then he  came up with the idea of transforming his passion for food and wine into a full time job.

Actually, Genuino del Duca wanted to create a new career in food and wine, so that he could resign from his day to day work as a policeman, and worked hard to make this dream come true! In the beginning it was not easy.  Though having climbed through the ranks at work , in 2001 he was able to open a small inn in Saline, a small town near Volterra.

The history of ‘Podere Marcampo winery’

By 2003 Genuino del Duca had earned enough money to open ‘Enoteca del Duca’, which is an exclusive restaurant in the center of Volterra. In 2005 he managed to buy ‘Marcampo’ a historic homestead, which had been abandoned though captured his heart as well as sparking his imagination.

Genuino del Duca restored ‘Marcampo’ shortly afterwards transforming it into what ‘Podere Marcampo winery’   is today! That is  an extraordinary holiday home , as well as a farm and winery, which is surrounded by 4 hectares of land.  Here he  takes care of his  best local grapes:

Genuino del Duca and his passion for wine 

Genuino  had to work hard to make his land suitable for wine growing because of the original salt and clay content of the soil. He had to plant the best rootstocks with roots to a maximum depth of 1 meter and did a lot for being successful.

Today, ‘Podere Marcampo winery’  is a real gem situated within a  national park known as ‘Le Balze’, which is a magical place where visitors can slow down and unwind. At ‘Podere Marcampo winery’ there are:

  • an outdoor swimming pool;
  • a sunlit terrace;
  • vineyards;
  • gardens;
  • olives tree

A tour at ‘Podere Marcampo Winery’

After a short walk through the vineyards Claudia explained the winemaking process starting with the working of the land to the bottling in the wine cellar and this for me was the best part of the tour.

In the tasting room I sampled high quality wines paired with homemade cured meats and local cheeses. ‘Podere Marcampo winery’  is completely hand worked by Genuino and Claudia and is organic, completely free of any pesticides.

A couple of million years ago this area lay at the bottom of the sea . That’s why  the soil is rich in fossil shells , and is characterised by a particular geology of sand, silt, clay and limestone . They have been stable for centuries giving a complexity, structure and minerality to these well balanced wines.

The wines of  ‘Podere Marcampo winery’

These are the best award winning labels I tasted:

‘Terrablu’: It’s a white wine made from Vermentino and Malvasia . The grapes are first processed by the modern technique of maceration in order to preserve all the aromas of the variety . There are four months of fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. On the palate there are notes of lime, almond, green apple and white florals , with a unique sense of refreshing acidity, its charm being in its delicate, briny nose and long, fresh palate;

‘Giusto alle Balze’: It’s a red wine made from 100% Merlot. It’s vinified in stainless steel vats, then aged in oak barrels for 12 months. It’s left to settle for another 6 months before bottling. It is my favourite wine , because of its soft and sensual texture and approachable style. This wine has won the silver medal at ‘Mondial du Merlot’ in Lugano and the ‘Concours Mondial Merlot’ in Brussels;

‘Severus’: It’s a red wine made from a selection of 100% Sangiovese. It’ s  vinified in stainless steel vats then aged in oak barrels for 12 months.  This wine is  left to settle for another 12 months before bottling. Tasting of clove spice and cherries ,  it’s also savoury,  providing a wide range of tastes from the very earthy and rustic to the rounded and red fruit;

‘Marcampo’: It’s a red wine made from 50% Sangiovese and 50% Merlot.  These two varieties are vinified separately in stainless steel vats and blended after 12 months in oak barrels. The wine is left to settle for another 6 months before being bottled. It is a powerful combination of the sweet, juicy, fruit flavours of Merlot, and the rustic, sour-cherry tang of Sangiovese;

‘Genuino’: It’s a red wine made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot.  These two varieties are vinified separately in stainless steel vats and then blended and bottled after 10 months. It’s a medium bodied moderately tannic wine , with a lovely cherry flavour, which impresses with its ruby red, vinous though also fruity and floral, dry and firm taste.

From the start Genuino and Claudia make wines just as they envisage them. Their winemaking takes its course, the grapes being gently guided through a gentle process until they arrive at carefully selected barrels for resting, maturing and evolving.

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The restaurant ‘Enoteca del Duca’ in  Volterra

After our fantastic wine tasting, Genuino , Claudia and myself made our way down to the ‘Enoteca del Duca , whic is their restaurant in the centre of Volterra. Genuino’s wife, Ivana runs this fine and intimate restaurant , which is equipped with a terrific outdoor garden and excellent wine cellar housed in a historic building situated  in  ‘Priori Square’

‘Enoteca del Duca offers a special kind of  gourmet cuisine . Its  menu changes according to the season and the availability of ingredients. My lunch   was really wonderful and the service impeccable. I tried their best wines along with their home-made pasta in beef broth and their boar stew.

Wine and food of top quality!

The quality of wine and food was outstanding, the ambience wonderfully inviting . When you go, ask to see their beautiful wine cellar , which is packed with many unknown treasures! Genuino’s family form a perfect team when it comes to satisfying food and wine lovers.

Claudia also organizes cooking classes at their farm demonstrating how to make fresh pasta or ‘focaccia’ whilst also allowing you to discover the secrets of homemade cake making all under the guidance of a professional Italian chef.

Volterra, amazing city in Tuscany

I thanked Genuino and Claudia warmly for the wonderful memories they had provided me. They had made me feel at home . Before going back to Pisa, it was a good idea to explore Volterra,because there is lot of things to see and to do!

The history of Volterra

Volterra is a delightful  medieval town . I think it well deserves a place in this list of the best towns of Tuscany . Its narrow streets are full of  old churches, palaces, secret chapels, intimate restaurants and alabaster shops , where you can watch artisans at work.

Alabaster has long been a big industry in Volterra. Softer and easier to work than marble, this translucent material was traditionally thinly sliced to provide windows for Italy’s medieval churches.

What to see in Volterra

The best way to appreciate Volterra is to walk through its cobbled lanes, enjoying :

3 things to visit in Volterra 

Other things to visit in Volterra include:

  1. The Alabaster Museum’: This museum is housed in the 13th-century Minucci Towers’. It boasts the ancient alabaster tradition of  Volterra has an . Art fans can watch sculptors at work and can purchase locally made alabaster in the studio shop;
  2. The Guarnacci  Museum‘: It houses the world’s largest collection of Etruscan funerary urns,  used to collect the ashes of the dead;
  3. Roman Cistern’: It’s located at the top of the hill by the ‘Medicean Fortress’The cistern, made of opus caementicium, had to supply the whole area of the ‘acropolis’ with water. It’s formed by a large rectangular room divided into three naves covered with a barrel vault with six pillars in stone blocks. The entire building can be dated to the first century. d. C. and for its capacity, which is about 1000 cubic meters, must have been built with public money.

Famous films set in Volterra

In recent years Volterra  has attracted international recognition for its connection with the ‘Twilight’ series of books and movies, part of the second movie ‘New Moon’ being set in Volterra though most of the movie was actually filmed in another Tuscan town.

More than 2000 years ago Volterra was a key trading center and one of the most important Etruscan cities and was protected by a wall four miles long, twice the length of the wall that encircles Volterra today. You can still see the mighty Etruscan gate, built from volcanic stone.

Bye Bye Volterra! 

Tuscany is a pretty large region, and all of it is stunning. There is so much to see and do that I can’t suggest any particular good guide or website! But even in the short time I spent here, there’s so much to recommend to you I don’t even know where to start!

It would be a good idea to enjoy any good wines in Tuscany ,  not just to drink them, but to experience  people, places, and cultures . The  Tuscans consider themselves the inheritors and stewards of a centuries-long legacy of beauty.

Every tree that’s planted, every farmhouse that’s restored, every road that’s re-routed — it’s all carefully considered not only on practical or economic merits, but also on aesthetics. Get lost among  this huge amount of artistic wonders!

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ITB Berlin 2019

ITB Berlin 2019

“I still keep a suitcase in Berlin”

Marlene Dietrich

“ITB  Berlin 2019”, an international tourism event 

Are you attending the ITB Berlin 2019″ , or considering it next year? Here are a few good reasons why you should do it , as well as some insights on how to get the most out  of it.

ITB Berlin 2019″ is the the world’s leading travel trade show. On March 6-10 2019  travel professionals dealt with  industry experts.  And had the opportunity to meet over 10,000 exhibitors represented in 26 halls ,  1,000 qualified top buyers, and attendees from 187 countries.  It simply cannot be missed!

ITB Berlin 2019″  was held at the Messe Berlin”. Ths is an enormous  building at Messedamm 22, near Charlottenburg and Savigny Platz in Berlin, where I booked a nice hotel for my stay .

“ITB  Berlin 2019” is a must for the professionals of tourism!

The ITB Berlin 2019″ is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. The companies represented at the fair include hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, system providers, airlines and car rental companies. It began in 1966 as a small event in the framework of an overseas import trade show that developed into a true global success.

The original five participating countries and regions grew to over 180, the first 250 trade visitors increased to over 114,000 and the exhibition space expanded from 580 m² to today’s 160,000 m².

Lot of time passed since it all began , and in the meanwhile  the tourism industry developed into one of the world’s most important economic factors.

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My personal experience in Berlin

For European enterprises, travel experts/lovers and bloggers it is a must to be at ITB Berlin 2019″ , because It is very important to learn more about competitors and to be updated about tourism industry developments.

It  mirrors the current trends of the global travel industry, and reminds those working in the sector of great challenges around the world in this field, such as the digital transformation.

I was really honoured to partner with ITB Berlin 2019″  as an accreditated networker. It was my very first time , and also an exceptional showcase for my activity as owner of WeLoveItaly.eu “. This is my professional activity in the educational and tourism filed based in Pisa.

“The British Berliner”, a special travel blog by Victoria Ade Genschow

As I arrived at the ITB Berlin 2019″  I got scared , because It was so big. I thought I wasn’t able  to walk all around for so many hours! Of course I was also concerned about maximizing the time available for that colossal event.

I wanted to see everything, talk to everyone and to experience everything else. Actually, I didn’t get lost , because thanks to  Victoria Ade-Genschow and her  blog The British Berliner” with helpful tips for the ITB Berlin 2019″  , I knew what to expect and what to do before .

I had the joy of meeting  Victoria Ade-Genschow  personally . She spoke about her job as a talented and famous international lifestyle &  travel blogger. So, she shared some secrets for good blogging with me.

Wine and friendship 

All that was a strong emotion for me sipping white Brasilian wine  together with other nice people! I was enchanted by Victoria Ade-Genschow . We made friendship and she was my reference point for anything concerning travelling, tourism and blogging,  and she  is still!

Victoria Ade-Genschow  was the best part of that incredible adventure.  During the ITB Berlin 2019″ I build new relationships with other professional travel /wine bloggers and experts in the industry of cultural and educational tourism ,  which was essential to bring in new customers and grow my business.

“ITB 2019”, a virtual journey around the world

What made me excited about ITB Berlin 2019″ was my  virtual journey around the world! In an instant I visited Europe, Asia, Arabia,  America, Australia simply going from one stand to another one,  and suddenly I got the desire to leave for an exotic destination and to never come back !

Why not discovering Malaysia, and then Abu Dabi, Mexico, or Paris ? Hanging on at ITB Berlin 2019″  I organized my “world trip” geographically and  thematically according to my interests  ! In several exhibition halls, the latest travel trends were also presented across countries and regions. These include, for example, medical  or responsible tourism, youth & adventure or wellness travel.

Italy at “ITB Berlin 2019”

Italy was represented at the ITB Berlin 2019″  by the Enit”, the national agency for promoting the image of the Italian tourist offer. At its pavillon  n 12  the Italian   launched Italy promoting  culture, art, wine and food!

The importance of technology for tourism

I liked the ITB Berlin 2019″ space reserved to travel technology a lot, because established companies and ambitious start ups boosted  their latest innovations. While several forums highlighted important developments from the world of apps, mobile websites, social networks and blogs.

I realized how most travel businesses were moving rapidly to adapt, integrate or evolve digital system that controlled nearly aspects of their business operations, from marketing to customer service to distribution.

Technology helps tourism , but cannot replace the importance of the human contatc!

Last but not least, ITB Berlin 2019″  confirmed, once again, that any form of real business could not work properly without the virtual one, and vice versa. Even in a digitalised world, It was not possible at  ITB Berlin 2019″  to replace the confidence-building measure that face-to-face meetings and a direct exchange between business partners on issues concerning the travel global industry represented.

12 Tips for visiting the “ITB Berlin”

I set clear goals for my ITB Berlin 2019″ ! I planned my time and schedule  in advance , because ITB Berlin 2019″   was a massive event.

If you want to make your experience at the ITB Berlin next year a success, then you need to be organized! Here my  tips:

  1. Visit the website of the ITB Berlin 2019″  to have and download all the useful info to get around the venue;
  2. Print your  badge before to avoid boring queues;
  3. Register/Complete your “ITB Profile”;
  4. Sign up and confirm all your  appointments . And send a reminder email to people about your  meetings;
  5. Check out how to get at the ITB Berlin 2019″  , and the map of the Messe Berlin”  to move around easily;
  6. Plan your visit but be flexible. It   is broken up into sections such as Europe, Asia, America, Arabia, Australia,. And you can change your schedule , as you may find that the exhibitor is a little busy at the time you want to go;
  7. Make sure you plan for some rest during the day, because you can get caught up in visiting every exhibitor;
  8. Dress Smart! The official attire is business wear, being slightly formal and wearing a suit or at least smart-casual will be the best choice!
  9. Wear comfortable shoes for  working extended hours on your  feet;
  10. Take with you packed lunch and  water in your  bag ; walking and talking is exhausting and you need to keep your energy levels up;
  11. Have  enough business card media kit to hand , there are so many opportunities to network with agents, tour operators, tourist boards, hotels, airlines, and other influencers just to name a few; aim to have more than you need!
  12. Don’t forget to bring your phone , a portable charger,  a note pad or a small agenda to write down all the ideas, names, brands and whatever else came to your  mind during  this event.

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Bye Bye Berlin. “Es kommt mal gut”!

ITB Berlin 2019″ was more than what I could ever have imagined! All that I experienced there  was really important to maximize my productivity  as I attended many stands, presentations, and networking events run  by experts and bloggers. There were also areas where the focus was industry job opportunities,  as well as shows, parties,  concerts and culinary treats rounds.

ITB Berlin 2019″ was not  only for me  an exclusive business event where to be, but It also  provided an energetic and entertaining atmosphere each day, and for  sure I  had lots of fun along the way and met amazing people.

At the end of this incredible life experience I went out to  my favorite restaurant  “Schwarzes Café”  with some German friends. It was a way  to remember my “Berliner Zeit” and how Berlin added value to my life!

 

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Food Wine Progress 2018, Florence

Food Wine Progress 2018, Florence

“Food Wine Progress 2018”, Florence

“Food Wine  Progress 2018 ”  was a  great wine and food event sponsored by the “Regional Tuscan cooks”, by the it “Italian Sommelier Toscana” and “Cocktail in the world”.  It was held  November 27-28 at the “Stazione Leopolda in Florence”  with the collaboration  of “Confcommercio and Coldiretti Toscana”. The intent of “Food  Wine  Progress 2018 was to showcase the food and wine excellence of  Tuscany , stimulating the culture and knowledge among the public .

The program of “Food Wine Progress 2018   began with conferences, master classes, each based on a  specific thematic about wine & food. Reading my post dedicated to this special kermesse, It’s a way to understand better how important is wine and food in the culture of Italian people. In particular, my attention is focused on the top quality products of Tuscany .

There were also  interesting cooking shows (including fresh pasta and vegan recipes)  at “Food  Wine Progress 2018 ” and  hundreds of fans who come to join this magic wine & food exhibition!

What about food in Tuscany? “Food Wine  Progress 2018”  is the answer!

Partecipating in the  “Food Wine  Progress 2018    event was a journey into  the  high quality of the Italian wine an food industry.  Other countries have a great respect for the delicacies that Italy brings to the world. This  has led to the creation of several organizations and festival like this, which are dedicated to celebrating great Italian wine and food. Their goal is to promote great Italian products just as well as the Italians do, though they also bring them to wider audiences than chefs and winemakers may have otherwise reached.

As I experienced at “Food Wine Progress 2018   ,   Tuscan food is  a kind of cucina povera or “poor cooking.” A concept that started very literally, it’s about simple meals that are inexpensive and could easily be made in large amounts. Today it remains largely the same – but by choice instead of economy.

Of course the “Food Wine  Progress 2018   thought me that Tuscan cooking doesn’t use complicated seasonings or elaborate creations . This happens, because they’re not needed. Instead it’s made using fresh, high-quality ingredients that bring out the natural flavours in each dish, simple or not.

So, when you arrive in Tuscany you will be faced with one doubt . What are the foods I can’t miss, what will I regret not having eaten?

A master class about the Riesling. The best part  of the “Food Wine Progress 2018”.

At the “Food Wine in Progress 2018   one of my favourite  master class was the one about the Riesling . This is a particular   German white wine, which is produced   in  Pfalz . It was organized by the “ Bassermann-Jordan Winery “.

The “Bassermann-Jordan Winery” 

Bassermann-Jordan Winery“ is an established leader and an example of the efficiency of the production of  Riesling  in Germany. The history of the “Bassermann-Jordan Winery“ is the history of a family dynasty, which  has helped to establish quality viticulture for almost 300 years.

Generation after generation, important personalities emerge from it who know how to preserve and develop the importance of the estate and top palatinate wines with intelligence, expertise and intuition as well as economic and political influence – up to the top rank of the world.

Their wine labels are landmarks and stand for Wines from the best locations and pioneering work in cultivation and vinification with a passion for quality. These wines are fruity ,  elegant and fit any specific need.

Wines of origin which are cultivated and matured ecologically according to anthroposophical teachings. For most of their  wines Art Nouveau label is used.

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“Food Wine Progress 2018” , 100 % made in Italy!

As you can see wine and food are essential for Italy. It’s culture and one of the main economic resources. Here below and extract of an analysis of this sector by the web magazine “Wine News:

“The Italian food and wine heritage, in fact, is the spokesperson for the made in Italy in the world, conveying the wealth of cultures and traditions that characterize our country in the collective imagination, including tourism. A wealth testified by its capillarity, with all Italian regions that can boast at least one certified production.

The Italian food and wine heritage, in fact, is the spokesperson for the made in Italy in the world, conveying the wealth of cultures and traditions that characterize our country in the collective imagination, including tourism.

A wealth testified by its capillarity, with all Italian regions that can boast at least one certified production. Emilia-Romagna has the highest number of certified agri-food products – 47 among DOP, IGP and STG – followed by Sicily and Veneto (tied with 39), while Piedmont is at the top of the national ranking for the number of IG wines (59), before Tuscany (with 58) and Veneto (53).

A further element characterizing the Italian agri-food production is the high propensity to the use of organic farming methods: Italy is characterized, in 2020, by a cultivated area of more than 2 million hectares and by a number of operators, including exclusive producers (farms) and producers/preparers, which exceeds 71,000 units, in constant growth since 2010.

As a result, the incidence of organic sales on the expenditure for Italian agri-food products will be 4%, for a value of 3.3 billion euros in the first half of 2020″ 

 

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Who is Roberto Cipresso?

Who is Roberto Cipresso?

If you want to thrill someone,  first try to feel  the same emotions you desire to awake…” .

R. Cipresso.

Roberto Cipresso, international winemaker of Montalcino

Scanning across the bookshelves in my flat, it dawns on me that my collection falls into three categories: wine, food and  travel! The three passions that form the  main plot of  Wine, the secret Novel , a book written by Roberto Cipresso. Roberto Cipresso presented his  outstanding work at ‘Nautilius, an elegant restaurant by the sea and close to  Pisa .

It was an unforgettable event  that allowed me  to meet  one of the most important winemaker in  Italy, Roberto Cipresso . He is a special person, as well as a great wine entrepreneur.  From his base in Montalcino, Tuscany, he has changed winemaking worldwide. How?  Read his incredible story, and you will find the answer!

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‘Wine the Secret Novel’ , a novel by Roberto Cipresso

Andrea Baldeschi , the owner of the ‘Nautiliusrestaurant,  hosted that memorable dinner in honour of  Roberto Cipresso.  A crowd of people were waiting to hear the famous vigneron speak about his life and his professional achievements.

First of all, Roberto Cipresso greeted us all with a big smile and then went on to introduce  ‘Wine, the Secret Novel‘  , one of  the three books he has written about wine.  It is an attempt to give a general outline of the history of wine.  Wine has rolled its barrel from the shores of the  Black Sea to the mountains of the Andes, following humans and their dreams. His book goes back through time  retracing the grape’s conquest of the world, stopping in each winemaking country, from the oldest to the most recent,  discovering wines past and present, while also looking to the future.

3 tops wines of Roberto Cipresso 

That evening at the ‘Nautiliusrestaurant there was also a fantastic wine tasting, including some of the best wines of Roberto Cipresso :

    • ‘Punto Bianco Toscana IGT :  This is a white wine made from Vermentino and Verdicchio. These grapes are the most representative of Italy, being cultivated in the region of the  the 43rd Parallel. This is  an imaginary line, which  traces through all the places that have given origin to viticulture throughout the world from Europe to the New World. The wine had a dry and even astringent taste , with a  contrasting rich coconut aroma, giving a nice round feel in the mouth, and a long-lasting finish.  It was paired with a delicious tuna pasta;
    • ‘Pi Greco Toscana IGT ‘ : This is a red wine made of 100%  Sangiovese   . It  offers primary flavours of tart cherry, red plum, strawberry, and fig, with subtle notes of roasted pepper, leather, and clay.  In its nose offers aromas of earth and tea leaf.  On the palate it is a full-bodied wine,  displaying a marked acidity, an important tannic structure and a long and intense persistence. It  was paired with a pasta enhanced with wild boar ragù;
    • Quadratura del Cerchio’ : This wine is made from  Sangiovese (60%),  Montepulciano (20%) , and  Sagrantino (20%).  This is Roberto Cipresso‘s first attempt to make the ideal wine and it is his first attempt at wine experimentation. Its grapes are the best in Italy, and above all they grow along  the 43rd  Parallel!  This wine went perfectly with a  dish of (soft) veal and tiny roast potatoes.

Guests enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere of that unforgettable dinner at the ‘Nautilius restaurant, while  Roberto Cipresso was seducing us all with his beautiful spell.  Here  are some important acts about his life  and professional background.

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Who is Roberto Cipresso? 

I felt the power of Roberto‘s personality,  while he was presenting his book that evening at the ‘Nautilius restaurant! Roberto Cipresso is an oenologist, an international  winemaker, and writer. Without any doubt he is also a visionary leader . His way of  life makes him stand out from the rest of the crowd as regards the field of wine.

He can imagine things that others cannot imagine and sees the whole  landscape of winemaking as a big picture,  and not a single step. He is present and focused. You can connect with him, when  he talks about what he has in mind, or  when he teaches you something about wine,  or when he tells you about his travel, his previous job experiences, and his life!

The story of Roberto Cipresso 

Roberto Cipresso was born in  Bassano del Grappa (Veneto) in 1963 . Initially his first love was the mountains. He studied agriculture and received a master’s degree in viticulture in Padua, Northern Italy only out of necessity.  He thought  that skiing and climbing would  be his future,  though a terrible accident caused him to  change his ideas.

In order to study with Professor Attilio Scienza, a respected Italian scientist in the field of vine, in 1987 Roberto moved to Montalcino  . Forgetting that tragic episode,  he fell in love with the world of the wine,  thus  starting his winemaking career at three outstanding estates in Tuscany :

Mountains have played a large role in the life of  Roberto Cipresso.  In fact, he learnt how to survive and how to know  his limits! At the same time he improved his skill in observing nature, developing an extraordinary knowledge  of the vineyards of Tuscany in order to create wine.

He  learnt a lot about wine during his younger years in Montalcino , from the planting of grapes to how  the wine was bottled. It was the most challenging and formative step of his fantastic life’s work with wine.

The goals of Roberto Cipresso

Roberto Cipresso soon gained success, being invited to advise Italian producers  as well as wineries around the world, including those in South America (‘Achaval-Ferrer Winery’,  Argentina). Travelling helped  Roberto Cipresso open his mind. He experienced different realities of wine ,  observing wine from a different angle,  and eventually was ready to work as a wine consultant !

The opportunities Roberto Cipresso had to put his professional skills and ideas  as regards wine into practice are exemplified by  four of his major projects:

  1. ‘Fattoria La Fiorita’In 1992 together with two popular partners, he founded this boutique winery in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, near Montalcino , which is still running. This boutique winery produced the iconic Brunello , gaining  numerous prestigious awards, including Parker points of 99, 98 and 97; 
  2. Winemaking project’: In 1999 at the behest of wine industry professionals he created a team of qualified consultants in the field of agronomy and oenology  in collaboration with his brother Gianfranco, and his friend Santiago Achaval, who is the founder of  the stunning ‘Matervini winery’ in Argentina ;
  3. ‘Wine Circus’: In 2001 he created this big  wine lab  in Montalcino  , where ideas and projects are shared with wine experts and universities   in order to solve  problems  regarding the winemaking process;
  4. ‘Poggio al Sole’: In 1990 he crafted this modern five starred wine relais , which is situated between Siena and Florence.  Here  Roberto Cipresso  planted his precious grapes of   Brunello   , which are used in  the making of the  best labels of his red wines.
The wine hits parade of Roberto Cipresso 

Recalling the most important enterprising ventures of Roberto Cipresso together with his lifetime achievements awards in terms of wine and food  culture, means understanding his complex and sensitive soul: 

The 3 books about wine written by Roberto Cipresso

The list here above would already be too long, taking into account that  Roberto often gave  lectures and speeches at wine schools and important universities in the world ! Already famous for his achievements in Italy and Argentina,  Roberto  rapidly obtained recognition in Europe and North America as one of the world’s elite winemakers.

Roberto is a creative and multitalented man. Along with the benefits of his many abilities and passions, there is his love for writing, represented by  another three books he has written about wine and its mystery, published between  2006 and 2009::

The ‘Cipresso 43rd project’. How to  make the wine of the future!

Without any doubt, Roberto Cipresso  is a  charismatic, brilliant and enthusiastic wine entrepreneur! He still continues on his incredible adventure in his inspiring  wine experiment entitled ‘Cipresso 43 rd project’. According to Roberto Cipresso, rules are important  in producing a perfect wine,  though they cannot stop evolution. We should consider rules as a point of departure, not as a point of arrival!

Bearing this in mind, Roberto  started his revolution in the world of wine, thereby provoking scandal! He went beyond the traditional concept of terroir, which was not identified as such as being in a specific area of the world, though within the same horizon!

The theory of the 43rd Parallel 

According to Roberto’s recent research this horizon is  the 43rd Parallel, a magical  line containing singular physical and spiritual features regarding wine production,  situated halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.  This parallel runs through central and florid places, which have shaped the main grapes and phases in the evolution of vine culture from Mesopotamia to the USA:

‘The Cipresso 43 rd project is an attempt to create an oenological itinerary using only grapes grown at a Northern latitude of 43rd degrees.  It could be considered an attempt to make the wine of the future.

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The X-factor of Roberto Cipresso

The life of Roberto Cipresso is about striving for excellence and harmony  not only in wine,  though  also in life.  Roberto doesn’t  limit himself only to his own thoughts and ideas. When you talk to him, he listens to whatever you have to say  attentively. He  encourages you to be as creative as possible and never to be afraid of presenting your own point of view!

Roberto  explained to me  the big picture of  his vision of wine and how to live  in this world. His  work is an essential part of his existence. It is not only about running a laboratory or doing analysis, it is mainly about being part of making something amazing. It  is by combining science, creativity and love, that you keep things interesting, and it is a great industry to be involved with as well. Roberto Cipresso  experiments with unconventional colors to find inspiration for his next masterpiece, that is still to come! I’m looking forward to it!

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“AIS of Lucca”, the “Italian Sommelier Association of Lucca”

“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.”

Paulo Coelho

“AIS of Lucca”, “Italian Association of Sommelier”

If you love wine, a  sommelier experience with the AIS of Lucca” (Italian Association of Sommelier”)  Tuscany,  is a chance of a lifetime:

    • To  explore the world of the  wine;
    • To learn how to build your own cellar:
    • To study food &  wine pairings;
    • To share your passion  enjoying life with friends!

What is the “AIS of Lucca” ?

AIS of Lucca” is one of the several “Italian Sommelier Association” branches  in each region of Italy. The “AIS” or “Italian Sommelier Association” is  an Italian non-profit organization founded in Milan on July 7, 1965, officially recognised and legally acknowledged by the Italian government on April 6, 1973.

Its founding members were :

The “Italian Sommelier Association” is part and founding member of the “Worldwide Sommelier Association” (“WSA”) , which is officially recognized across the world.

The AIS “ is one of the oldest and actually the largest sommelier association in the world, featuring more than 30.000 members only in Italy!

Which is the aim of  “AIS”?

The aim of “Italian Sommelier Association” , as stated in the third article of its charter, is:

  • To qualify sommelier’s role and profession, therefore adding value to wine, traditional specialties and gastronomy culture;
  • To promote, even in the legislative branch, the introduction of its didactic approach in hospitality related schools, as well as to endorse the sommelier’s professional role, international recognition and esteem.

Without any doubt, my educational experience at  AIS of Lucca” has ensured me to have all I need to take my  passion about wine to a high  level!

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My  graduation as a sommelier 

I studied hard for three years, and finally last summer I became a sommelier at AIS of Lucca”  ! After my exam in June , I celebrated the special occasion with other colleagues and friends at  “Berlucchi Winery “ in Franciacorta (Brescia)

My wine course at AIS of Lucca” was an incredible journey for : rounding out my knowledge about wine and  expanding  my  palate. It was something more than  connecting the dots between a flavour, such as clove and vanilla in a sample Pinot Noir!

There are two types of certified sommeliers: those who currently work in the industry, and those who go through the certification process to learn much more than wine, that is the area in which is produced. That’s me!

My adventure in the world of wine!

I started my adventure in the world of wine  by chance. Because  dealing  with tourism, attending a sommelier course in Lucca  was an unconventional  way to know  better Tuscany with all its beauty, art and culture.

I recognize that to be a sommelier  without working in the industry  is much harder,  since you’re not working with wine every day, you have to carve out time in your schedule to practice and to dedicate to wine. One option isn’t better than the other–you just need to know which category you’ll likely fall under before you become a sommelier.

The life of a sommelier!

In order to make it through the long class schedule and nerve-wracking final exam, you should have an ultimate end goal in mind from the beginning.

Some sommelier students drop out before the courses are complete, sometimes because they underestimate the amount of studying required to pass the exam. And sometimes because they only liked the idea of being a sommelier, without having a plan to use their education for a specific purpose.

To be a sommelier is not onòy a state of mind!

You need to have a purpose in mind when you receive sommelier certification! Becoming a sommelier is only the tip of the iceberg. The reality is that wine education never ends, even for those who are fully certified with every program.

Getting certified is only one method for growing a greater understanding of wine, and it’s not necessary for every wine ‘fan’. Before you pressure yourself into becoming certified, it’s important to ask yourself why you want to go through the experience, and whether it’s truly the right choice for you!

Wine is to discover a territory!

My fortune was to have clear ideas why to be a sommelier and to run into AIS of Lucca”  for my certification.

Studying for being a sommelier meant to meet wine Professionals  who loved exploring the best about wine & food tradition in Tuscany.  Nowadays, I ‘m really able to give useful tips for visitors who want to experience Italian kife style and who want to discover this awesome region  with my services in www.WeLoveItaly.eu

Why studying about wine so important ?

Recently, a friend asked why a person should invest in a wine class instead of purchasing a few bottles and having a liquid study session at home. I think it’s a great question!

Learning about wine seems a foreign concept to many,  but it’s actually a great deal of fun as well as financially rewarding – the more you know about wine, the better your wine purchases will be. You need to know at least enough to understand what makes you happy.

Wine makes you happy!

I know, wine makes you happy. But, which wines make you happiest? Until you try a well-curated selection, how do you know?  Learning the  “AIS” systematic approach to tasting will give you great insight into how your palate works.

In the  “AIS” course, I tasted top wines from different parts of and from all over the word. I got  great tasting experience there.

Wine is like a friend!

Of course, I could taste wine at home, but the difference  is that in the “AIS” course  my  tasting was  focused and guided. It was tasting with a purpose and  even after a one day class,  my tasting abilities  and my appreciation of what I tasted was considerably greater.

I can guarantee that “AIS” is not only a  a great place to get all your answers about wine with other like-minded wine lovers, but above all a possibility to make friendships with interesting people.

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Wine is a passion not a business! 

I love travelling and tasting good wine. Wherever I go, I always try  to find  the most unique label ,  the best food ,  and good people to have fun with!

So, why love wine? There are so many reasons!  Through wine, you can :

  • Meet great people:  Yes, there are so many great people behind and around wine!
  • Celebrate life: Yes, don’t you have wine when you’re celebrating a birthday, a wedding, Christmas, or a graduation?
  • Eat great food: Wine without food is not really wine, don’t you agree with me?

Above all , thanks to wine you can see the world!   Yes, wine is international, with it you discover new countries and regions, along with their history and culture. It’ s like a micro time travel machine, because  has  this magic  ability to transport you to the time (and place) they were made. Of course, not all of them!  For some wine drinkers, this is the real difference between a good and a great wine!

Sharing a glass of a well made and properly-aged wine can build bridges in friendships and help with discoveries of the soul, or just give you the nerve to open up your heart to those around you. It is a beverage to share, a beverage to savor, and a beverage to enjoy. And like many good things, it carries a responsibility to enjoy in moderation!

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