I just returned from Italy and had a chance to enjoy three unique settings during the trip. The beautiful shoreline and cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the vibrant city of Florence and the countryside of Bolgheri (Tuscany). The opportunity to explore the various white wine varietals of the Amalfi Coast and red wine varietals of Bolgheri was a highlight of the trip.
Earlier this year, almost every wine publication was singing the praises of the Bolgheri wine region and it’s various producers (Guado Al Tasso, Ca’Marcanda, Tenuta San Guido, etc.). As part of our trip we had a desire to visit several wineries while in Bolgheri but determined they are not open to the public. A contact in Florence reached out to Robert Parker’s (Wine Advocate) former Italian Wine Editor (Daniel Thomases) to see if he could provide assistance. Problem solved. Daniel agreed to make the visit arrangements and more importantly, spend the day with us as we tasted our way through Bolgheri!
Our first stop was at world famous Sassicaia which is owned by Tenuta San Guido. Sassicaia was founded by Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and has been producing wine since the mid 1940’s. There are approximately 200 acres of vines devoted to Sassicaia so production volumes are relatively small (1,000 cases). We tasted the 2015 Sassacaia as well as the 2016 Le Difese and 2016 Guido Alberto which are also produced by Sassicaia.
Earlier this week, Wine Spectator Magazine named the 2015 Sassacaia the 2018 Wine of the Year which made our visit that much more special! While touring Sassacaia’s facility I learned Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was the breeder and owner of Ribot, one of the greatest European racehorses of the 20th century. When I shared with our host I raced horses as well, we had a wonderful conversation about Ribot. If you are not familiar with Ribot, he won all 16 of his races and was named European Horse of the Year in 1955 and 1956.
Great wine and thoroughbred racing, they just seem to go together.