Category: Montemaggio
How Dry January Becomes Wet In A Pandemic
January 13, 2022
Dry January is a way to stay off the alcohol for a month after the holiday season with a lot of overindulgences. In January, we need to lose some weight, get healthy, and try to get back on track. However, where does Dry January come from? What does it mean more specifically? Last but not least, is Dry January something we even consider when being in the midst of a pandemic? Let us find out more. What is Dry January? Dry January was started in 2012 by the British charity Alcohol Change UK as a way to help people moderate… read more
How Old Traditions Matter at Christmas in Tuscany
December 24, 2021
We are just but a day from Christmas in Tuscany and all over the world and last-minute shopping and preparations are at their height. Even though the Omicron is running fast, we probably all have the same pre-holiday stress all over the world but the Christmas traditions vary a bit from country to country and region to region. In Tuscany, the Christmas traditions center around food, of course, but also some other ancient traditions we will take a closer look at. We have also asked Ilaria and Francesco here at Fattoria di Montemaggio about their Christmas traditions in Chianti. Christmas… read more
How Beautiful Grapes Bring Happiness To Our Winery
November 25, 2021
The harvest of 2021 bore signs of climatic turbulences in Europe during the past year but at Fattoria di Montemaggio the quality of the grapes brought happiness. Regarding the challenges this year, it went from the frost in April that struck mainly France, but also parts of Italy and Spain and continued to the flooding in Germany, and a very warm and dry summer overall. It has been a difficult year for vinegrowers all over Europe. How did it affect the harvest generally? Why is Fattoria di Montemaggio so happy about this vintage? Let us find out below. The Consequences… read more
Top Wine Vintages in Chianti Classico in Tuscany
October 8, 2021
Wine is all about vintages, that is that every vintage differs from the next and gives rise to unique wines. When we say that every vintage is different, we more specifically refer to the weather conditions during the vines' vegetative year. This influences a wine’s aromas, flavors, and quality which is referred to as “vintage variation”. The weather also has a considerable impact on the harvest and the yield. There are some vintages that turn out much better than others and result in compelling and sensational wines. We will look into some vintages that Ilaria, our Estate Manager, considers to… read more
Does Wine Contain Gluten?
September 10, 2021
Gluten is a severe problem for many who are allergic, intolerant or struggle with celiac disease. But can wine contain gluten? Is wine gluten-free? Or, does wine pose a risk for people who suffer from gluten intolerance? In the recent article The Truth About Gluten-Free Wine in The Drop, the online magazine of Pix Wine, Felicity Carter delves deeper into the issue of whether gluten in wine exists and whether it can be a problem. This was as a way to bring clarity to what it means when wine producers declare their wines as “gluten-free”. What is Gluten? The Celiac… read more
How Bees Can Contribute to Amazing Biodiversity in the Vineyard
August 3, 2021
There is a buzz in the vineyard figuratively as well as literally at Fattoria di Montemaggio. Well, not in the vineyard only but all over the estate. We have recently become beekeepers by setting up a beehive. This is not only making wonders for biodiversity and the ecosystem but we also hope to soon be able to produce honey to share with you all. But how and why are bees so important for the ecosystem at large? Let us dig a bit deeper into the fascinating world of bees. What is the Role of Bees? The keeping of honeybees promotes… read more
The New Face of Chianti Classico Collection 2021
June 27, 2021
The Chianti Classico Collection 2021 event turned into a Chianti Classico Connection just as the consortium underlined. In line with the Covid-19 restrictions, the consortium had this year modified the yearly preview event to be able to organize it despite the restrictions still in vigor. This gave rise to some interesting new initiatives that surely could be an idea to integrate also when the pandemic will blow away. Fattoria di Montemaggio was present with their newly released Chianti Classico vintages, of course. Chianti Classico Annata 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva 2014 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2013 Chianti Classico Connection - A… read more
How Frost Wreaked Massive Havoc on Vineyards in Europe
April 15, 2021
Spring is not only longer and warmer days and reawakening of nature, but the weather can also be unpredictable with frost damages in France and Italy last week. After an Easter week with wonderful weather, the night temperatures suddenly went decisively below zero resulting in frost damages in many vineyards. Why is Frost so Harmful to the Vines? During spring when the growing season is in its initial stage with bud breaking, the buds are specifically sensitive to colder weather. The frost can damage buds that are in the opening stage and the young shoots on the vines. It is… read more
The Wine Experiences: Beyond the Wine
December 17, 2020
How to Experience Beyond the Wine The experiential factor in the world of wine has always been present. This kind of product has always fascinated a niche of experts who once fell in love with the nectar of gods and lived the wine as an ultra-sensorial experience and in some cases as something religious. Today, however, we can observe a progressive transformation of the consumer. Not only experts: wine seems to have entered in our lives in a completely new way and to arouse the interest of most of people. We perceived something Beyond the Wine. This is the change… read more