A perfect terroir― is a soil rich in limestone content porous enough to act as a natural drainage system for easy absorption and equal distribution, temperature not too warm during the day and not too cold in the night and enough rain showers that will moisten the vast vineyards. These characteristics are the ideal conditions of a perfect location to cultivate wine grapes― a terroir.
However, Tenuta San Guido is not like any other estate as it deviates from the traditional way of viticulture or wine growing. Tenuta San Guido became famous because of this certain events and experiments.
Tenuta San Guido is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata Bolgheri in Tuscan Wine. It has a 75 hectares of land area for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The vast area can yield up to 450, 000 bottles of all their three wines, annually.
In the Olden Days
A Marquess, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta was an owner of Thoroughbred racehorses when he found passion in studying wine grapes. He idealized in developing a Thoroughbred wine, thus establishing Tenuta San Guido. He became so engrossed with the idea of making wines that he studied in Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, a First Growth estate. Applying what he learned, he experimented on his own barren land, utilizing whatever is available, even if it means cultivating wine grapes on rocky terrain. The rocky terrain is not an ideal place to grow grapes, but alas, he succeeded and produced his first wine.
Tenuta San Guido Wines
Sassicaia
Sassicaia literally means stony ground, and this was the first wine produced by Mario Incisa. At first, the wine was not well-received by many because it was not like any other wines that they usually drink. So Maria Incisa stored the sample batch in their private cellar. As Mario Incisa continued his experiments, later on, he noticed that aging the Sassicaia wines improved their taste. When the public tasted it again after its second release, it was immediately awarded the title Bordeaux Premier Cru. Mario Incisa’s experiment encouraged other wine producers to incorporate the aging process in their procedure. This is also the main reason why the wine is continually receiving high respect and rating from renowned wine critics like in Sokolin Top Wines.
All Sassicaia vintages received an average score of 4.6 in the 5-point scale, a superior wine. Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the varieties cultivated in the area. It is a deep ruby colored wine with the intense, concentrated aroma of red fruit. A taste of raspberries, cherries balanced with the right amount of tannins is what Sassicaia is. It’s an Italian Bolgheri best paired with beef, pasta, lamb and veal.
Guidalberto
Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto named after Guidalberto della Gherardesca, great grandfather of the incumbent Tenuta San Guido director, Nicolò Incisa della Rocchetta. His great grandfather, a pioneer of modern agriculture, became famous for planting Cypress Alley that inspired the poet, Carducci. The motivation was “newness,” Nicolo envisioned a wine that consumers will enjoy at a younger age when compared to the Sassicaia wine, at the same time utilizing the variety Merlot in the Guidalberto wine.
The Guidalberto Wine garnered an average score of 4.1 in the 5-point scale, which means an excellent wine. It is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese that depicts a Tuscan red. A fitting aroma of dark chocolate, blackberries, plum and black currant balanced with ripe, ample tannins and fresh acidity in the palate. Guidalberto is a wine with great potential as it continues to age and develops. Guidalberto is best with Cured meat, beef, and poultry.
Le Difese
Tenuta San Guido Le Difese is the third wine produced by the estate since 2003. Le Difese is fermented in stainless steel containers at a controlled temperature for twelve days. After blending, aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, then transferred in wine bottles. After three months, Tenuta San Guido Le Difese is ready for the market.
Unlike the first two wines, Le Difese wasn’t quite remarkable, garnering an average score of 3.7 in the 5-point scale. A Tuscan red that is cherries and peanuts in the nose, high on acid and low in tannins in the mouth. It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese that is best with lamb, beef, and veal.
Takeaway
Besides enjoying Tenuta San Guido wines, you can also visit the estate in Bolgheri. Enjoy the thrilling sights and learn about their history. After, drop by in their hidden restaurant and savor their delicious meals while sipping your favorite Sassicaia.
Tenuta San Guido wines is a remarkable and a delight that has garnered many titles. Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia 2015 earned the title as the Wine Spectator’s Number 1 of the same year. In a more recent event, Sassicaia wine became the best Italian wine in the Best Italian Wine Awards of 2018. The DOC Bolgheri, the producer of Super Tuscan, continues to amaze and surprise our palates. So what are you waiting for? Try the Best Italian Wine in the world.
Author Bio
Scarlett Wells is a freelance writer and wine enthusiast. She is an active critique examining all levels of wine types so she can produce reviews and articles that will help guide every consumer in selecting the right kind of wine to drink. Aside from that, she wrote a lot of blogs maximizing the real usage of wines. In her free time, she reads a lot about food and beverage pairing in order to help her become an effective mentor inspiring everyone to maintain a fit and fab lifestyle.
