Tiamo Wines
2010 Organic Chianti DOCG
Tuscany, Italy
Made from organic grapes
2010 Vintage
For the 2010 vintage, we discovered an organic producer in the Chianti DOCG. His 18 hectare certified organic vineyards sit at an elevation of 800 feet in the Montespertoli hills near Florence. Grapes are grown in sandy clay with sea fossil deposits and are all hand-picked at low yields.
Winemaking
Tiamo Chianti is estate grown and produced by Tenuta Maiano. Founded in 2000 by Gianfranco Nigi, a Tuscan wine expert with a degree in Agronomy, he decided to invest in organic agriculture to preserve the environment. Foregoing modern pesticides and fertilizers, Maiano uses only natural products that not only help preserve nature, but actually allow the terroir to more clearly and cleanly express itself in the finished wine.
Vinification
After hand-picking, the grapes are sorted and crushed. Fermentation takes place at low temperatures over 15–20 days before a gentle pressing.
Grape Varieties
90% Sangiovese
Etymologists believe this red grape’s name is derived from sanguis Jovis meaning “the blood of Jove (Jupiter)” and its beginnings are thought to predate Roman times. Sangiovese is one of the top two red grapes (the other being Nebbiolo) in Italy, where it’s extensively planted. Sangiovese wines vary immensely depending on where the grapes are grown, how they’re grown and from which of the many subvarieties they’re made. In Chianti, wines must be made with a minimum 80% Sangiovese.
10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Introduced in the late 20th century, Cabernet Sauvignon has been used in the region to add more weight and structure to the Sangiovese-based wines.
Winemaker
Mr. Gianfranco Nigi
Technical Analysis
- Tartaric Acids: 5.5 g/l
- Alcohol: 13%
- Residual Sugar: 2.8 g/l
Tasting Notes
Color: Intense ruby red with garnet tones
Aroma: Intense, fruity with persistent aromas of spices and licorice
Palate: Full with good acidity and balanced tannins
Food Pairing
Tiamo Chianti pairs perfectly with roasted/grilled meats, stews, pastas with red sauces, pizza and firmer cheeses. Ideally serve at about 60°F.
Italian Wine Classification
Italy's classification system has four classes of wine, with two falling under the EU category Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region (QWPSR) and two falling under the category of Table Wine. The four classes are:
Table Wine
Vino da Tavola (VDT): Denotes simply that the wine is made in Italy.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT): Denotes wine from a more specific region within Italy.
QWPSR
Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
Both DOC and DOCG wines refer to zones which are more specific than an IGT, and the permitted grapes are also more specifically defined. The main difference between a DOC and a DOCG is that the latter must pass a blind taste test for quality in addition to conforming to the strict legal requirements to be designated as a wine from the area in question.
The overall goal of the system is to encourage producers to focus on quality wine making. Presently, there are about 120 IGT zones, plus 311 DOC and 32 DOCG appellations.
UPC: 8-004006-002947