Monrosso Toscana Red Blend 750ml

About the Producer: Castello di Monsanto

Castello di Monsanto is a wine producer located in the DOCG area of ​​Chianti Classico. In 1962, the first Chianti Classico, Riserva Il Poggio, was produced here, consisting of a blend of predominantly Sangiovese with small additions of Canaiolo and Colorino. Today the property is managed by Fabrizio Bianchi and his daughter Laura with the help of winemaker Andrea Giovannini. The property was founded in 1960 when Aldo Bianchi acquired 6 hectares (14 acres) of Il Poggio vineyard. The family began making wines from a single vineyard, inspired by Burgundy cru wines, eventually eliminating Trebbiano and Malvasia from the lot. In the 1970s, Monsanto launched Sangiovese, in honor of Fabrizio Bianchi, and planted Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Today Monsanto comprises 72 hectares (178 acres) of vineyards, of which 56 hectares (138 acres) are planted in Sangiovese. In the northern part of the vineyard, marl soils predominate, while in the south, tufa rocks predominate. The climate in the vineyard is mild, with hot days and cool nights, which provide ideal conditions for ripening and developing the unique characteristic flavor of the grapes. The vines are planted in dense, traditional environments and are surrounded by over 100 hectares (250 acres) of Mediterranean forests. In the vineyard, grapes are fermented into truncated cones to maximize extraction during the maceration process. After fermentation, the wines can be stored in French or Slavic oak barrels for up to 20 months, depending on the cuvée. Castello di Monsanto has a tradition of storing 2,500 to 3,000 bottles of each Il Poggio vintage in order to preserve the historical archive for future generations.