Rocca delle Macie

We are made to feel so welcome at Riserva di Fizzano. Our return visit to this magical place set as a jewel in the Tuscan hills also confirmed the perfect growing season and the likelihood of a bumper harvest for the 2019 vintage with picking already under way. It has been a hot summer with little rainfall other than the odd thunderstorm. The Sangiovese crop looks to be outstanding in both fruit yield and quantity.

Geogeta Perhald, a Romanian by birth but naturalised Italian is our charming master of PR and knowledge (and 6 languages) and a stalwart of RDM for over 20 years.

We taste Campo Maccione Vermentino from Marema - RDM’s coastal vineyards - lovely and delicate fruit appeal with layers of opulent characteristics.

Followed by Familia Zingarelli collaborations- Macehialupa Greco di Tufo being the most impressive white showing fresh, generous pear drop aftertaste. PietraPura from Puglia - beautifully balanced and fruit driven Primitivo and Negramaro were very enjoyable reds.

We finish with RDM classic reds - Chianti Riserva displaying pronounced Sangiovese character - Chianti Classico - their flagship wine full of ripe fruit and soft smooth tannins and Riserva di Fizzano - 95% Sangiovese 5% Merlot- wonderfully balanced fruit, tannins and good length in the 2013.

Lunch at Altroche - RDM’s newest investment opened in March 2019. The professional presentation of the food and wines is outstanding- the freshness of the salad and traditional Tuscan meats and cheeses exhilarating.
We are joined by Sergio Zingarelli- owner and founder. Sergio’s father Italo established the original vineyards in 1973. Sergio hasn't changed since I first met him in 2008. He is one of those special people you meet in life. He combines a shy charm with a boundless energy and vision to improve the wines and wine making in his beloved Tuscany. Just passed his 60th birthday now he is still driven and supported by his wife Daniella and daughter Julia and son Andrea. Their investment in new French oak barrels and Italian made stainless steel vessels is staggering! New 25hl barrels for ageing Riserva di Fizzano and smaller fermenting vats of 70hl giving more complexity and fruit concentration - the investment generated from royalties from the original Italian spaghetti westerns made by his father in the late 60s and 70s. Posters of the movies of this era adorn the huge 100hl fermenting vats of their pride and joy wine - Chianti Classico.

I hear about the latest research going on in the vineyards and helping their vines prosper. A tiny good insect called ANAGYRUS are bought by RDM in there thousands and released into the vineyards when conditions are perfect for them to prosper. These insects only have a 10 day lifespan and they leave their lavi on the vine leaves that grow and eat the harmful bugs from the inside that attack the plants. This practice reduces the need for spraying and de-stresses the vine giving it the opportunity to produce healthier grapes.

Our stay is at Relais Riserva Fizzano, the magnificent development for guests and wine lovers from all over the world to relax. Developed out of a medieval village, the accommodation has 22 beautifully appointed rooms, an a la carte restaurant and swimming pool in the heart of Castellina in Chianti a gem in the hills of central Tuscany just 17km north of Siena.