The rare birds of the Poderi Castellare di Castellina, Tuscany

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The rare birds of the Poderi Castellare di Castellina, Tuscany

 

 

Coordinates / 43.469167, 11.288611

Country / Italy

Region / Сhianti Classico

Population / 2 800

Situated in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, near the small Tuscany village of Castellina occupying an average of about 80 hectares is the winery Castellare di Castellina, which has a history of more than 30 years of prosperity and success.

The farm covers 33 hectares of picturesque hills of vineyards, which form a natural amphitheatre facing the south-east, where different varieties of grapes such as Sangioveto, Malvasia Nero, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet ripen in the sun. The vineyards' ages, which lie about 370 metres above sea level, range from 5 to 30 years.  

Here the mixture of lime-clay soil is well drained and warmed by the sun which helps the winery Castellare di Castellina to annually produce around 250 thousand bottles of quality red and aromatic white wine suitable for a long period in a bottle.

The remaining hectares are reserved for the cultivation of olive trees, mixed crops and forests.

Of course, as in all the Chianti Classico region, Castellare di Castellina primarily preserves the tradition of Chianti Classico wine production. Thus, in an average year around 130 thousand bottles of Chianti can be made, also in a good year, the Chianti Classico Riserva is also produced.

The remaining share of Poderi Castellare di Castellina’s output includes such wines as Governo, I Sodi di San Niccolo which have the highest rating in the classification in Wine Spectator (96/100) and is historically produced from grape varieties such as of Sangioveto, Malvasia Nera, and Poggio Ai Merli (pure Merlot). 

bottle of wine in cellar, Tuscany
        a label corresponding to the year of its harvest

 

Chianti Classico riserva
wine tasting in the Poderi Castellare di Castellina

As well as white wines such as: Le Ginestre a blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Canonico a Chardonnay fermented in oak barrels, Lo Spartito a type of Sauvignon Blanc, a few thousand bottles of Vin Santo and 3-4 thousand bottles of Coniale which is highly valued by both the famous wine critic Robert Parker and the authoritative American edition of Wine Spectator.

vineyard in Tuscany
a scene of the Poderi Castellare di Castellina vineyard

Since the late seventies, the winery Castellare di Castellina belongs to the publisher Paolo Panerai. On taking possession of the cherished acres, he immediately conducted an audit of the vineyards, selecting the best varieties of Sangioveto (historically a more noble version of the traditional Sangiovese) and Malvasia Nero. The grapes from these vineyards were used to produce the I Sodi di San Niccolo wine - the pride of Paolo Panerai and the Poderi Castellare di Castellina. 

olive trees in Chianti Classico
olive trees in the Poderi Castellare di Castellina

In cooperation with the staff of the University of Milan, the University of Florence and the Institute of San Michele all'Adige experimental vineyards were planted in order to establish the best grape hybrids.

Castellare di Castellina awards
awards and certificates

Each bottle of wine by the Castellare di Castellina is recognisable to its consumers not only by its unsurpassed quality but also by its unique bottle labels - the images of rare endangered birds, which are threatened with extinction. Thus, the management of the wine company stresses that their products are made in compliance with all environmental regulations, pesticides and other aggressive chemicals are prohibited. In addition, hunting on the estate is banned in order to protect the wildlife.

labels, vineyards, wooden wine press on the winery
1. labels of the wines, 2. the vineyard, 3. wooden press for the wine production

The wines of Poderi Castellare di Castellina are exported all around the world, its rare birds on the labels can be found in many of the best enotecas and cellars. 

The Global list suggests to its readers that they try the fragrant olive oil in the original cube-shaped glass bottles with a cork and unchanged bird on the label as well. 

Yours sincerely,

Global list

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