Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from Castellina in Chianti, including the S. Niccolò vineyard and the estate’s two leading crus. The sites lie at 350–400 m on limestone terrain. The vines are trained to inverted Guyot, with density ranging from 2,700 plants per hectare in older plots to 6,000 in newer plantings. Yield is 40–45 quintals per hectare, and harvest takes place in mid-October.
Grapes
85% Sangioveto and 15% Malvasia Nera, both native Tuscan varieties.
Vinification
Vinification takes place in stainless steel and malolactic fermentation is completed.
Ageing
The wine matures for 24–30 months in barriques, half of them new, followed by 12 months in bottle.
Technical data
Toscana IGT. The special edition comprises 3,000 bottles. Available formats are 0.75 L, 1.5 L, 3 L and 6 L; a wooden presentation case containing three 0.75 L bottles is also offered. The first vintage of I Sodi di S. Niccolò was 1977.
Tasting profile
Intense ruby red with garnet nuances. The bouquet is concentrated and clearly defined, moving through ripe red fruit and jam to cherry, spices, vanilla and liquorice. The palate is deep and finely woven, supported by pronounced Sangioveto acidity. The tannins are sweet and elegant, and the finish is long and persistent.
Serving and pairing
Pairs with cured meats, savoury meat dishes and preparations rich in succulence. It also suits strongly flavoured and mature cheeses, particularly Pecorino Toscano and Parmigiano.
Label / history
The 2021 limited edition was created in 3,000 bottles for the centenary of Luigi Veronelli’s birth. Veronelli is presented as a central intellectual influence on I Sodi di San Niccolò. The red, leaf-through label adopts a colour associated with him, while an accompanying booklet recounts his friendship and collaboration with Paolo Panerai. The bottle and booklet were conceived as a collectible presentation of the wine.
