Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG

Description

Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG is produced by Antinori, one of the most famous and oldest wine companies in Italy. It is a classic Tuscan red wine made principally from Sangiovese grapes and was first produced in 1985. Available to buy now at Fareham Wine Cellar.

Antinori: Six Generations of Winemaking

Marchesi Antinori has been producing wine in Tuscany for six centuries. It was founded in 1385 when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the “Arte Fiorentina dei Vinattieri”, the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. The company continues to go from strength to strength 26 generations later. Antinori is probably most famous for producing one of the original Super-Tuscan wines, Tignanello, and has estates throughout Italy (Cervaro in Umbria and Pian delle Vigne in Montalcino) and the rest of the world, including Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley, USA.

Peppoli Estate in Chianti Classico

This Tuscan red wine is produced at Antinori’s Peppoli estate in the Chianti Classico wine-growing region and was acquired by the family in 1985. The estate is located three miles to the northeast of the family’s world-famous Tignanello estate and extends over 123 hectares, 50 hectares of which are planted with vines. The estate is also famous for its red wine vinegar and olive oil.

The grapes are all harvested from the estate, which has vineyards planted in a valley on mineral-rich soils, ideal for Sangiovese. As well as Sangiovese, there is also some Syrah and Malvasia planted.

Made at the Antinori nel Chianti Classico Winery

Peppoli is vinified at the fantastic Antinori nel Chianti Classico winery, which was opened in October 2012, thereby cementing the longstanding connection between the family’s lineage and the ancestral region. The modern winery is constructed using locally procured materials and blends into the natural surroundings of the picturesque Tuscan landscape. In 2022, the Antinori nel Chianti Classico winery was awarded first place in the World’s Best Vineyards.

Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG Winemaking

The grape blend for the Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico DOCG is 90% Sangiovese, the other 10% comprised of “complementary” grapes, usually including some Merlot and Syrah.

• Each grape variety is harvested, destemmed, and gently crushed before being vinified separately in stainless steel vats.
• Alcoholic fermentation occurs at temperatures between 26-28°C to enhance aromatic compounds and preserve the fruity and floral characteristics of each grape variety.
• Maceration periods are carefully controlled for optimal tannin extraction: Sangiovese undergoes 10-12 days of maceration, while other grape varieties receive a maximum of two weeks.
• After malolactic fermentation completes during winter, the individual wines are blended and transferred to barrels for ageing.
• Pèppoli undergoes maturation primarily in large Slavonian oak barrels, with smaller portions aged in barriques and stainless steel vats to add complexity to the final wine.

This meticulous vinification process with optimal extraction and careful ageing results in a well-rounded and balanced wine.