Get ready to take a journey to Italy without hopping on a plane. Tuscany is the next spot in our wine passport series with Old Vines Supper Club.
Zach Bingham, director of wine and educational development at the Old Vines Supper Club, joined Gulf Coast News to walk us through wines, specifically Chianti wine.
Chianti is nestled in the heart of Tuscany in central Italy and is one of the most definitive wine regions in the world. It’s one of the oldest regulated wine regions in the entire world. Cosimo III, grand duke of Tuscany, officially demarcated the production zone in the hillsides in 1716. Over the next 200 years, the winemakers of the region would experience many challenges that pushed them to craft a unique, Sangiovese-driven style.
There are some very specific regulations to follow when creating Chianti wine. All Chianti designations must contain a minimum of 80% Sangiovese grapes. Chianti wine must be aged a minimum of six months between the vessel and the bottle, while Chianti Classico must be aged a minimum of 12 months between the vessel and the bottle. Chianti Classico Riserva must be aged a minimum of 24 months between the vessel and the bottle, with three months required in the bottle before release. Additionally, the minimum requirement for Sangiovese percentage increases to 90% and all of the grapes used in the wine for GS must be estate-owned fruit.
Happening this month at the Old Vines Supper Club:
- Late Spring Tasting Menu is available now through May 31
- On May 19, Passport Series: Chianti at 6 p.m.
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Wine Dinners at the Supper Club
- Wednesday, May 7: John Hamel of Hamel Family Vineyards
- Wednesday, May 14: The Fine Lines of Latitude: Exploring Burgundy & Oregon with Master of Wine Nick Jackson
- Wednesday, May 21: Global Heritage: Around The World with Trinchero Family Estates’ Lauren Bracho
- Wednesday, May 28: Long Shadows Vintners with Florida Sales Manager Joe Consolo
- Tuesday, May 27: Dinner & A Show with Grand Illusionist, Alex Geiser
Happening all June long at the Old Vines Mercato, they will be doing Locals Appreciation Month. On Mondays to Thursday from 4pm to 10pm, they will be offering 30% off wine, cocktails and food for local residents.
All the wines featured are sold at the Old Vines Supper Club. For more information, check out its website .
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