FATTORIA POGGIO ALLORO: TUSCANY, ITALY

A Beautiful Tasting!

"What a gorgeous drive!"

"Had to park the car on the side of the rode for some  pictures!"

"Welcome to Fattoria Poggio Agoro"

"Let the gorgeous wine, cheese & olive oil tastings begin!"

"Freshly baked bread and olive oil"

"Olives & Cheese"

"YUM - let the tastings begin!"

"Cheers!"

"Had too much fun at this winery!!"

"And we're off to our next stop!"

Fattoria Poggio Alloro,

We made our way to our next stop, Fattoria Poggio Alloro, in the wine region of San Gimignano. Did you see those pictures?!  We fell in love with this winery, it was absolutely breathtaking.  The day was gorgeous from the cool breeze to the warm sun, from the lush greenery to the plum grapes.

Wow - were we in for a treat, since this winery became one of our all time favorites!  The ambiance was truly romantic, making today pure perfection.  As we wondered through the winery we had fun taking pictures (as you may have already guessed).  The real fun began when we started tasting the delicious wines, breads, olives & olive oils!

A Little History:

The three Fioroni brothers Umberto, Amico, and Bernardo were born and raised in the Marche region, where they also worked as sharecroppers, mezzadri, up until the 1950s. At that time, the farming system in use was the Mezzadria, which dated back to the Middle Ages, and resembled a form of slavery, more than a fair work contract between landowner and farmers. The terrible work conditions that this system imposed on sharecroppers, forced the three brothers to migrate from their homeland to the region of Tuscany, as many other families already did after the World War II. In 1955 they finally arrived in San Gimignano, at Fattoria Poggio Alloro.For generations the Fioronis were skilled farmers and breeders, and continued to work as sharecroppers at the farm until 1972.

Through their hard work, great sacrifices, and dedication to the land they managed to purchase the first 25 hectares then in the same year they started growing grapevines, olive trees, various kinds of fruits and vegetables, and cereal crops. Later on, they built barns for the Chianina cattle and for other courtyard animals such as pigs, chickens, and rabbits. They also produced saffron, a common and popular spice in San Gimignano since the Middle Ages. Through the years, the children of the Fioroni brothers, felt the need to support their parents, both in farming and agriturismo, in a perfect union between tradition and innovation. Old and new generations decide together to embrace a completely organic agriculture, aware of the importance of an healthy and sustainable life style. In doing so, they chose to go back to their origins, with the full respect of nature and traditions. 

The Wine:

DI S. GIMIGNANO D.O.C.G. “LE MANDORLE”
PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND careful harvest of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano grapes
VINIFICATION the harvested grapes are divested of their stalks and undergo criomaceration, left in contact with their must in order to extract its aromas. Subsequently they are gently pressed and complete their alcoholic fermentation and aging in new french oak barriques
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
COLOR intense straw yellow with golden highlights
BOUQUET a broad and delicate bouquet of white-pulp fruit with a hint of bitter almonds and white flowers, and a pleasant finale spiced with vanilla
TASTE fine and persistent, dry and with the right keenness
DRINK WITH perfect with fish in general, white meat and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 13°

CHIANTI D.O.C.G.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo
VINIFICATION soaking on the skins with repeated repassing of must over the grape dregs, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
COLOR intense, deep ruby red
BOUQUET broad and elegant with pleasant odors of red fruit, cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry with final flowery notes of sweet violets
TASTE pleasantly tannic, dry, warm and full-bodied
DRINK WITH red meat, game and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 16°-18

VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO D.O.C.G.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND pure Vernaccia di S.Gimignano
VINIFICATION gentle pressing, alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel vats, maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12,5%
COLOR full, intense straw yellow
BOUQUET fine, intense, fruity and flowery with sensations of fresh fruit and white flowers
TASTE dry, fragrant, pleasantly fresh with the right keenness and a well structured body
DRINK WITH hors d’oeuvres and saffron dishes
SERVE AT 10°

S. GIMIGNANO D.O.C. ROSSO “CONVIVIO”

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND careful selection of Sangiovese and Colorino grapes
VINIFICATION fermentation in stainless steel recipients and soaking on the skins
ALCOHOL CONTENT 13%
AGING aging in oak barrels for 12 months, maturation in the bottle for 3 months
COLOR intense ruby red with garnet highlights
BOUQUET odors of red fruit with pleasant notes of raspberry and marasca cherry jam and an enveloping finale spiced with licorice, cinnamon and tobacco
TASTE intense and persistent with an outstanding personality; dry, warm, full-bodied and harmonious
DRINK WITH excellent with T-bone steak, red meat, braised meat, game and mature cheeses
SERVE AT 18°

ROSSO DI TOSCANA I.G.T.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Sangiovese and Canaiolo
VINIFICATION soaking on the skins, alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel vats and maturation in the bottle
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12,5%
COLOR ruby with violet highlights
BOUQUET pleasant odors of red fruit and flowery notes
TASTE slightly tannic, dry, warm and full-bodied
DRINK WITH red meat, game and cheeses
SERVE AT 16°-18°

BIANCO DI TOSCANA I.G.T.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Trebbiano toscano, Malvasia, Chardonnay
VINIFICATION fermentation at controlled temperature in stainless steel recipients
ALCOHOL CONTENT 12%
COLOR straw yellow
BOUQUET delicate, white flowers
TASTE dry, fresh with structured taste
DRINK WITH fish in general, white meat
SERVE AT 10°

VIN SANTO DEL CHIANTI D.O.C.

PRODUCTION AREA San Gimignano (SI)
GRAPE BLEND Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, San Colombano
VINIFICATION careful selection of grapes harvested by hand. Drying on reed trellises in accordance with the Tuscan tradition. Once dried, the grapes are pressed and set to ferment very slowly in small barriques. The must obtained is racked and left to age in casks for at least 5 years.
ALCOHOL CONTENT 16.5%
COLOR amber with golden highlights
BOUQUET typical, intense and penetrating with odors of dry and toasted fruit
TASTE soft and warm, slightly sweet
DRINK WITH desserts in general but best with dry pastries such as the traditional Tuscan Cantuccini
SERVE AT 10°-18°

GRAPPA DI VINACCE DI VERNACCIA DI S. GIMIGNANO

Obtained from steam distillation of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano marc.
Optimal brilliance and a delicate, well expressed perfume. Pleasantly aggressive with a soft, velvety flavor that is fine and persistent.
Excellent after a meal.

GRAPPA DI VINACCE DI VERNACCIA E ZAFFERANO

Obtained from steam distillation of Vernaccia di S.Gimignano marc, with the addition of pure S.Gimignano saffron set to macerate from 5 to 6 days.
Optimal brilliance and a delicate, well expressed perfume with aromatic and fragrant notes. Pleasantly aggressive with a soft, velvety flavor that is fine and persistent. The saffron gives it a bright and lively yellow color.
Excellent after a meal.

Lots of Love From Tuscany,

Nicole Carter