Wine Argiano, “Solengo”, Toscana IGT, 2021, wooden box, 3 L

Introduction

“Solengo” – unique red wine, combining the features of the Tuscan terroir and French grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The name of the wine – it’s Tuscan word that translates as “lone wild boar.” Super Tuscan wine “Solengo” is a masterpiece of winemaking, created the famous oenologist Giacomo Takis in 1995. Each grape variety is collected and vinified separately. Grapes undergoes maceration from 12 to 16 days in the stainless steel tank at a controlled temperature. Immediately after this, to give tannins soft and more pronounced fruity taste of wine, must pass malolactic fermentation. Wine is aged 15-17 months in French oak barrels. Mixing is carried out at the end of May, and the wine is bottled in July with no filtration. Wine can be a harmless light precipitate, which is a sign of high quality natural wine.

Owner of “Argiano”, one of the most famous and popular wineries in Italy, is the Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano. In search of a better place for the production of high quality wines Cinzano chose Villa Ardzhiano. And was absolutely right. Located in the picturesque medieval village near Montalcino, an ancient place surrounded by legends. It was here, according to legend, the sages sought the legendary altar of the Roman god Janus (“Ara Jani” means “the altar of Janus”). During the Renaissance, a noble family from Siena Pekka on a beautiful hill was built magnificent villa Ardzhiano. For a long time the local nobility used the wines produced from the vineyards of the castle, for my own pleasure. 1992 was a turning point in the history of the winery. Having bought the estate, Countess “revive” it, and put a lot of effort to Ardzhiano wines were among the best in the region. Today it produces traditional Tuscan wines – Brunello and Rosso, and Supertuscan wine – “Solengo” and “CFMA”.

Winery owns an area of 100 hectares, 48 hectares given over to vineyards and a further 10 hectares of olive trees. Vineyards Ardzhiano have an enviable location with a favorable microclimate. The vineyards are located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, so even in the summer months are cool nights. Moderate rainfall in Montalcino promotes a better ripening to provide wines with higher concentrations in taste and rich aroma. Effect of warm Maremma (the coastal area of Tuscany) creates unique conditions for slow ripening of the grapes, and is located near Mount Amiata (one of the highest mountains of Tuscany) protects the vines from the bad weather. Soil, composed of marly limestone and clay, well retain moisture, provide ideal conditions for the development of Sangiovese grapes. The grapes are harvested by hand. The fermentation is carried out in steel vessels on natural yeast at a controlled temperature of 20-25 C for 2-3 weeks. Kept in annual wine barriques from Burgundy, and then in Slovenian oak casks (traditional wine), and only in new barriques Burgundy – for “Solengo.”

Oenologist revived estate seminar was well known in this area European specialist – Giacomo Takis. It was he who produced the first wine Supertuscan “Solengo”, which became part of the “Top 100” edition of the great wines of “Wine Spectator”. No less talented and experienced Danish enologist Hans Viding-Diers Takis replaced after his retirement. With experience of working on the best wineries in Europe, Australia, South America and South Africa, Hans brought notes sophisticated and elegant style of wine Ardzhiano. Philosophy Vidinga-Diersa simple – minimal intervention in natural processes and outstanding performance expression of the terroir of Montalcino wines. Because of this, the wines Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino from Sangiovese grapes are the best wines of Tuscany, and critics say it only perfect score.