Top 100 Wineries: Antinori Estates

Mandatory Credit: Oscar

Today we will look at our first non-US vineyard.  Moving alphabetically on the Wine and Spirits list of the top 100 wineries, we will take a look at the Antinori Estates in Florence, Italy.

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To take it straight from the horse’s mouth, where is a quick look at the family and their wine making.

"The Antinori family has been involved in the production of wine for over six centuries, ever since, in 1385, Giovanni di Piero Antinori entered as a member, the “Arte Fiorentina”, the Winemakers’ Guild of the city of Florence. During this entire long period, thorough twenty six generations, the family has always directly managed this work with courageous and, at times, innovative decisions, but always maintaining, unaltered, a fundamental respect for tradition and for the territory in which they have operated.Today the firm is run by Marquis Piero Antinori with the support of his three daugthers, Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia, directly involved in the work of the house. Tradition, passion, and intuition have been the three driving principles which have led the Marquis Antinori firm to become a leader in Italian wine."

The Antinori Estates, features a number of wines that would take us days to go through.  They feature a guided tasting to their Chianti wines.  We will take a look at these wines today.

We start with the Peppoli, which is a Chianti Classico.  This wine has notes of red cherry, with hints of chocolate and vanilla.  It pairs well with simple Italian dishes such as Italian sausage, sweet peppers and a pappardelle pasta.

Out next Chianti Classico wine is the Villa Antinori.  Spicy Cherry, Anise, Chestnuts, and violet are the initial notes that you will get with this win.  Pairs well with braised pork shoulder, lamb, and even grilled Salmon.

The third wine of four in our guided tasting is the Marchese Antinori.  This wine will provide you with ripe fruit, wild cherry, and some tobacco notes along with a hint of violet.  This is a steak kind of wine, pairing well with an Italian styled grilled T-Bone Steak.

The final stop on our Chianti Classico guided tasting is the Badia a Passignano.  This is a wine that will bring you “Complex aromas of red fruit, raspberries and ripe cherries and a spicy, licorice-laden finish”. This is your top, rich full bodied wine.  This pairs well with rich meals that could include braised lamb or the estates recommendation of quail in a balsamic-sage marinade.

All information taken from Wine Guided Tasting from the Antinori Estates.