Melini: modernity embraces tradition

Melini: modernity embraces tradition

When one says Melini, you think Chianti and Chianti Classico. Founded in 1705 by the eponymous Florentine family, the winery is one of those brands that made Tuscan viticultural history, with a balance between the ancient aromas and flavors of older Tuscan wines and the most innovative research and technology. Among the family’s successes was the creation of the Tuscan straw flask that was easy to transport and one that helped Chianti become famous throughout Italy and the world. It was also the very first Tuscan winery to create a Cru from one specific vine, after a rigorous selection of grapes. During the 1969 harvest, the label was Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneti La Selvanella. After 300 years since it was established, Melini is still one of the principal movers and shakers in Tuscan viticulture with more 500 hectares, of which 136 planted with vines divided into different wineries such as Fattorie Selvanella, San Lorenzo, Terrarossa and Granaio. The winery has had a number of owners through the years and is now owned by the Gruppo Italiano Vini. The main headquarters are located in Gaggiano, along the route that leads from Poggibonsi to Castellina, in the heart of the Chianti Classico area.

 

The ambition of create a modern version of Chianti

“Our ambition is clear: to produce modern wines in a contemporary style but within the great tradition of Tuscan wines” Alessandro Zanette, head of the winery. “Our objective is to reinterpret Chianti in a modern version, taking advantage of all of the new tools at our disposition while remaining true to our history. In 2011, for example, we began to use the governo method that is an ancient way to make Chianti. This contributed to the birth of a line of wines called Re-Chianti: fruiter than in the past, sold in an original bottle that reminds one of the Chianti flasks from the past.” New techniques and tradition meet each other and find their maximum expression in their Chianti Classico Riserva Vigneti La Selvanella. The most well-known label from the winery is today this wine from the 2010 vintage. The Sangiovese grapes for this wine come from one hill that is located at 350 – 550 meters above sea level in Radda. The vineyard has more than 50 hectare planted. “It’s among the best places in the area thanks to both its position and its exposition. The soils are rich with alberese and galestro that create wines of great structure and good acidity with balsamic and floral notes, capable of aging elegantly.”

 

Etichetta-Selvanella

FIRST CRU WINE IN TUSCANY

Grapes Sangiovese 100%

Composition of the soil galestro, alberese Vinification and aging fermentation and maceration on the skins for 20 days, malolactic fermentation, aged in large French oak barrels for 30 months, then for 12 months and then for a in the bottle

Total acidity 5.24 g/l pH 3.45

Dry Extract 29 g/l

Alcohol content 14% vol.

Bottles 86000

Price 22 euros

 

MELINI

località Gaggiano 53036 Poggibonsi (Siena)

(0577) 998511

melini@giv.it

www.cantinemelini.it

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