“Terre di Pisa Terre di Vino 2019”, wine and food event in Pisa

“Terre di Pisa  Terre di Vino 2019″  is an event about the best wine and food of Pisa. It’s organized by “Darwine & Food”, which is an important Tuscan  communication agency.

The aim of  “Terre di Pisa  Terre di Vino 2019″ is  to offer learning opportunities about “The Wines of the Hills of Pisa” for all: industry operators, connoisseurs and wine lovers. It is also an important occasion to promote Pisa and its province with its incredible cultural, historic, wine & food heritage.

“Terre di Pisa Terre di Vino 2019”, the most representative wineries of Pisa

On the 27th and 28th May at the “Chamber of Commerce of Pisa”  , 36 local and talented winemakers launched their top wines made by Sangiovese and  international grapes in occasion of this stunning event.

They are here gathered to represent “The Wine Production of Terre di Pisa“, which is a beautiful territory  of hills, forests, fields, and olive groves, where wine history goes back to the Etruscans time. Here grapes grow in an area, which once was covered by the sea, in  soils rich on fossil,  and composed of  sand along the coast and limestone towards the inland. That’s the reason of fine, complex and mineral wines in Pisa!

“DOC Wine of Terre di Pisa”, something more than “Chianti”!

Moreover, Pisa wines producers boast about the “DOC  Wine  of Terre di Pisa “ designation  created in 2011 and “the Wine Consortium of Terre di Pisa ”  founded in 2018 to classify and protect “ The Wines of the Hills of Pisa“ .

6 Top “Wines of the Hills of Pisa”

Here a list of the most important “Wines of the Hills of Pisa“: 

1. “Chianti DOCG Colline Pisane”: It’s a special area with distinctive characteristics, that covers a set of hills that are close to the sea.  These red wines tend to be light and soft, displaying a ruby-red color, violet aromas and a dry, fruity and slightly tannic nature when young;
2. “DOC Bianco San Torpè”: It’s a fine white wine mad from Trebbiano, Vermentino and Chardonnay with a  specific code of production since 1980 (produced in Terricciola, Morrona, Fauglia, Peccioli, Ghizzano e Palaia). Its name is dedicated to Saint Torpè from Pisa, a Nero’s officer, who-due his conversion to Christianity-was beheaded by the Roman Emperor ;
3. “DOC Montescudaio Rosso”: It’s a persistent red wine made from Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese; Its colour is red ruby, and the aroma is intense and  fruity  (produced in Montescudaio and  Castellina Marittima);
4. “DOC Montescudaio Bianco”: It’s an harmonious white wine made from  Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Vermentino (produced in Montescudaio and Castellina Marittima);
5. “IGT Tuscany”: Free from the stylistic constraints imposed on “DOCG and DOC ” wines,  “IGT Tuscany” wines can be made into almost any form imaginable, from bone-dry whites to sweet reds and sparkling rosés;
6. “DOC Terre di Pisa”: It’s a new DOC established in 2011 and is composed of two different wines appellations, namely “Terre di Pisa Red”, made from Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and “Terre di Pisa Sangiovese” made from Sangiovese– minimum amount of  95% (produced in Fauglia, Crespina, Lari, Chianni, Capannoli, Palaia, Peccioli, Terricciola, Casciana Terme, Ponsacco, Pontedera, Montopoli V.A., Lajatico, San Miniato Orciano Pisano, Lorenzana and  Santa Luce).

Program of “Terre di Pisa Terre di Vino 2019”

There is  a packed program of must-attend events and activities: tastings, seminars, and workshops run  by industry workers and experts such as:

• Prof. Piero Tonutti , of the “School of Advanced Study Sant’Anna”;
• Prof. Claudio D’Onofrio of the “Pisa University”;
• Prof. Gianpaolo Andrich of the “Pisa University”;
• Michèle Shah, wine marketing strategy expert;
• Alessandro Torcoli  magazine director of  “Italian Wine Chronicle” .

Who planted Merlot before, the Italian or French?

And last  but not least, it’s worth emphasizing the importance of  great speeches of two renowned journalists regarding the history and the future of Sangiovese. Let’s begin with  Daniele Cernilli  , “Doctor Wine Blog” editor. He claims that the  Dukes Salviati  introduce Merlot (1600) in their estate in Migliarino Pisano before  French  in Bordeaux.

Antonio Boco, journalist of the “Gambero Rosso”

Then, Antonio Boco, contributor writer to the famous  “Gambero Rosso” Italian cuisine guide, highlights the economic value generated by  “IGT and  DOC  appelations” for this terrific corner of Tuscany, whereas quality plays an important role in determining demand.

Pisa beyond the “Leaning Tower”!

The message is clear! Pisa is  something over than the famous “Leaning Tower”  and the city centre. It’s a massive treasure  to be discovered by curious travellers from the wine tours through the Pisa Hills  to “Massacciuccoli Lake”, from the “Parco di San Rossore” to the sandy coast and the Apuan alps.

Wine and tourism could become a driving force of  job creation, economic growth and development.  However, politicians, educational institutions, enterprises and others,  must invest in workforce development ,  skill formation and communication strategy.

My press trip at the wineries of Pisa

Pisa is certainly a step in the right direction for interest and commitment of private parties, but  it still has a long way to go, because it needs a more efficient public administration.

By the way, I just realize how many wine-growing small and medium-sized wine enterprises are scattered everywhere in this land kissed by the sun. They define the key success factors in the process of internationalization and enrichment of  Pisa and its province.

4 beautiful wineries in Pisa

I join a press visit at the most enchanting wineries along the Tyrrhenian Coastline to experience the Pisa wine renaissance:

1. “Torre a Cenaia”, Crespina Lorenzana: It is an oasis  of peace and tranquillity. At “Torre a Cenaia” you can live the experience of a millennial estate, with its 500 hectares of unspoiled Tuscan countryside. Here time seems to have stopped. Wine, craft beer, extra virgin olive oil, restaurants, events and more. A real unconventional Tuscan experience not far from Pisa and Livorno;
2. “I Giusti e Zanza”, Fauglia:  It was born in 1996 from the restoration of an historical winery in the hills of Fauglia . Wine has been made here since the 16th century. I tried their excellent red wine  “Pierbruno” (100 % Syrah)  . It’s a fulll-bodied wine of an intense purple colour. The bouquet features aromatic undertones  cherries, blackberries and blueberries. The mouthfeel is fantastic with its softness and extra fine elegance. When you taste it you’ll be greeted with a punch of flavour that tapers off and then has a spicy peppery note in the aftertaste;
3. “Sator”, Pomaia: The vineyards cover over 11 hectares in three different plots: “Campo San Giovanni”, “Campo al Pino and Cantina”. The red and white grapes varieties are: Ciliegiolo, Sangiovese, Teroldego, Merlot , Cabernet Franc, Vermentino and Fiano. This is a family-run winery. So most likely you’ll find a family member guiding you on the journey into the world of wine, starting from their vineyards to the winery before moving on to the tasting of their wines, which you can choose to buy afterward as well;
4. “Pagani de Marchi”, Casale Marittimo: It dates back to 1996 and it’s very well-known due to a  glorious archaeological discovery, the so called “Tomba del Principe Guerriero” (“The War Lord Tomb “) with his “Tasting Wine Kit”(a funeral banquet outfit) . Therefore this domain stretches back into the antiquity (VI – IV centuries B.C.). Their wine are made by Sangiovese, Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Why visiting Pisa?

If you love wine, food and life , Tuscany waits for you. Book your holiday in Pisa , and left behind all your worries. If you’re planning a trip to Italy and you’re wondering if you should visit Pisa , the answer is yes.

Not just because of the “Leaning Tower” . Pisa has tons to offer visitors; from art collections to a lively historical centre, quirky churches. Plus the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of a university town that is a hop, skip and a jump from the Tuscan coast.

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