BLOG

Find insightful articles on Tuscany & Wine in general and Chianti Classico in particular, organic and biodynamic agriculture and everything else that has anything to do with the world of wine like food/wine pairings, making or history of wine, holidays and more.

Top Wine Vintages in Chianti Classico in Tuscany

Top Wine Vintages in Chianti Classico in Tuscany


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
Exploring Chianti

Exploring Chianti


o Most people are familiar with the Chianti region in Italy, but did you know that there are also wineries in Tuscany? Well, a tour of the Chianti wine region in Tuscany is the perfect way to get a taste of all this beautiful place has to offer. For those feeling adventurous, this blog post will offer some information about Chianti wine, what you should understand before touring wine tasting Chianti, and some best destinations for experiencing a Chianti Wine Tour.   How to plan your Chianti wine destination trip   Decide your destination First and foremost, you need to… read more
Does Wine Contain Gluten?

Does Wine Contain Gluten?


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
Chianti Italy Wine, a Forever Legacy.

Chianti Italy Wine, a Forever Legacy.


Within the history of time, nations have been established and battles have been fought in Chianti. A peaceful place where Etruscan land stood as the borderline of the bloody battlefields between Florence and Siena. From then, the Roman empire was built. Through Sangiovese vineyards, an ever more pure and indigenous blood whose roots flourished throughout the land and protected the peace of its residents, manifested a lasting heritage and tradition that is shared around the world. Upon these historical hills, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region is the family-owned, Montemaggio Estate, located within Radda in Chianti. As it… read more
How Bees Can Contribute to Amazing Biodiversity in the Vineyard

How Bees Can Contribute to Amazing Biodiversity in the Vineyard


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
How to grow vines at home

How to grow vines at home


Although wine can be made from any type of grape, wine grapes are in a class of their own if you’re looking to produce a rich and complex wine. They’re smaller, full of seeds, and have thicker skins, and while they may not be as tasty as table grapes when eaten fresh, they also have a higher sugar and juice content, making them ideal for turning into wine. Growing Wine Grapes: A Quick Snapshot When to Sow – Feb-Apr When to Plant – Apr-Jun When to Harvest – Aug-Oct Average Yield per Plant – 0.5kg/year Spacing – 90-180cm Depth – 30cm How to Grow Wine Grapes… read more
Chianti Classicos' Revolution: UGA

Chianti Classicos' Revolution: UGA


At the Fattoria Montemaggio, we have often talked in our blog about the Chianti Classico area and obviously about the Chianti Classico Consortium, explaining its origin, its function, and talking specifically about the various sub-zones within this area.We tried to explain how important it is to emphasize the typicality of each area, and how each product was unique because of the peculiarities of the various "terroirs" of all these sub-areas.This is why we are so happy to inform you that several changes have taken place within the Chianti Classico disciplinary. A new law was voted and approved, which will protect… read more
The Perfect wine glasses

The Perfect wine glasses


It is now well known that for many kind of wines it is required to use different types of  wine glasses. Therefore we have different glasses designed in order to allow the drinker to appreciate the whole range of flavors and aromas. Studies show that the shape of a wine glass can have an important effect on the nose and on the finish of wine. Wine's aroma is significant during the tasting. The various aromatic components perceived by nose, give you a clue about what will also be the perceived taste of the wine you were served even before tasting… read more
The New Face of Chianti Classico Collection 2021

The New Face of Chianti Classico Collection 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
Cover Crops: all the secret revealed

Cover Crops: all the secret revealed


One of the methods that certainly distinguishes an organic-biological approach from the traditional one is the use of expedients and compounds one hundred percent natural to fertilize the soil. The cover crops, sometimes also called green manure, is certainly a highly proven method to rely on in order to fertilize the soil. But let's first of all understand what it is, what it entails and certainly when it is the best way to use this agricultural "expedient" in our vineyards. What is green manure? Green manure or cover crop is nothing more than a technique that is used to fertilize… read more