3rd edition of Buy Wine Fair: Tuscan Wine Discoveries

Toscana Promozione kicked off Buy Wine 2013 at a grand opening gala including reception and dinner on February 13^th at trendy Loft E', Florence, Italy.  It was well attended by international wine journalists and wine agents who met and mingled. We had opportunity to taste regional wines and dishes throughout the evening and were told that most of the wine offerings will be available at the Buy Wine Fair, which officially starts the next day.

The 3rd edition of Buy Wine Fair is a two-day event which takes place at Fortezza da Basso on February 14^th and 15^th.  The location is conveniently located in the historic city centre.  Fortezza da Basso was built between 1534 and 1537 and features beautifully restored Renaissance architecture.  

Buy Wine Fair provided the perfect platform for agents and wine journalists to meet small and large Tuscan producers while at the same time taste some of the best Tuscan wines across several vintages. This is the first year International wine journalists from CWW and FIJEV had the opportunity to attend.

The concept for Buy Wine Fair is that the agent or wine journalist meets and discusses one-on-one with the Tuscan wine producer about their distinctive portfolios.  The agent seeks out new products to represent and the wine journalist is looking for wine article opportunities. Each pre-scheduled meeting takes approximately 20 minutes. I found a map-in-hand works well – which details your set schedule and logistics.

·        288 Tuscan producers – an increase of 57% more than 2012

·        211 International agents – an increase of 11% from 2012

·        Wine Agents/Buyers from 36 countries, including: USA, China, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Brazil, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Holland, and others

I found the presence of each Tuscan consorzio to be quite useful as they assisted me in obtaining general overviews of their target markets, strategies and activities for the coming year.

Here is one of many Tuscan wine discoveries that stood out …

I met Beatrice Contini Bonacossi, the great grandchild of Count Alessandro Contini Bonacossi who purchased Capezzana from the previous owner.

Capezzana wines come from the Carmignano region, which is 16 kilometers northwest of Florence.  There is said to be pre-Roman remnants of vine cultivation.

Wine producers in this region started blending Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon in the 18th century. They were ahead of their time before this blend became the “Super Tuscan” we know of since the late 20th century.

Capezzana received the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1975, and was promoted to Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 1990.

This is the oldest active winery in Carmignano, and is still operated by the Bonacossi family - now on its 4th generation. Documents dating from 804 AD indicate that wine and olive oil have been made on the Capezzana estate for over 1200 years. Not many wine estates can boast that.  The Contini Bonacossi family has owned the estate since the 1920s.  The vineyards cover 100 hectares in Carmignano (a distinct wine region within Tuscany), about 24 kilometres north west of Florence.

Here are some of the wines I tasted, with tasting notes:

 

Trebbiano is the original white Tuscan varietal that Capezzana is reviving.

100% Trebbiano varietal done on pseudo-vendange tardive/late harvest style.

This soft Trebbiano offers notes of pear, peach and apple, while offering a rich and round finish.  

 

Blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Canaiolo, and 5% Cabernet France.

Some herbaceous elements, intense aromas of dried cherry, plum, traces of  spice and black licorice, with an easy finish.

 

Blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ripe berries on the nose, good structure on the palate, with some cinnamon on the finish.

 

Trefiano 2007 Carmignano Riserva DOCG

A single vineyard wine  - 80% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Canaiolo

Lovely brooding color, deep nose, with traces of vanilla, mint and mixed spice, chewy tannins and cassis-like finish.

The first Bordeaux blend made in Tuscany with first production in 1979, making it the first “Super Tuscan” - recently Syrah was added; this vintage the blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Syrah and 20% Merlot

 

A very sturdy Tuscan, complex nose, notes of plums and dark fruit with hints of fresh herbs both on the nose and palate, bittersweet tannins, some dark chocolate notes, with dark fruit on the finish.

The traditional Tuscan way of hanging ripe grapes (Trebbiano) for several months to get a sweet dessert wine.

Amber color, nutmeg with some honey on the nose, full and thick, with an apricot-marmalade finish.