This is a collaborative post: Every story has a rich past. A background so rich and wild that broke the barriers of rules and regulations. Yes, we are talking about the making of Italy’s first Super Tuscan, the Sassicaia wine.
The Rich History of a Rich Wine
It is a bond made to be. Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, a war vetern, agronomist by profession, fell in love with Bordeaux wine. After the second world war, he was trying to uplift the property his wife inherited. Flourishing with vegetables and flowers, he was turning heads of other producers with his knowledge. It was the time for grapes.
Mario’s love for wine made him think about the possibilities. There were wine vineyards already in the area that produced a small amount of wine from Sangiovese grapes. It was okay, but not like standing out in the wine industry. There were also the DOC guidelines. Mario was not the one who went by the rules. He wanted to make something like Bordeaux, the wine that touched his soul.
The Planning and Execution
After learning the soil factors, Mario went to work on his state. He realised that instead of having clay soils, Bordeaux vineyards have stony gravel in them. It enhances the taste of the grape by a thousand. He chooses Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc to be planted in his vineyard. The soil was perfect for a Bordeaux style wine vineyard. In 1945, he bottled his first wine, which was nothing like what he expected. And it didn’t taste as he wanted. He needed help.
Making of the Super Tuscan
Without losing hope, he wanted to perfect his craft. It is this time he thought of getting the help of an oenologist. Giacomo Tachis is the man who changed it all for Mario Incisa. He incorporated his ideas about winemaking with Mario’s wild theory. And with Giacomo’s help, Mario invented his own wine finetuning.
In 1968, it was the time for the commercial unveiling of Sassicaia wine. It won over all the wines from eleven countries in its first tasting test, and there was no stopping Italy’s first Super Tuscan. It was a wild thing that tasted out of this world – dark, bold, and with fabulous colours.
Then and Now
The once wild dream of Mario Incisa set off on a world-famous journey. In 1978, it again stood tall among thirty-three international wine brands in the UK. It is for its blend of different varieties of grape that made it taste so unique. Then, in 1994, it achieved its DOC. From then on, Sassicaia made quite a lot of vintages. The most famous vintages are 2001, 2002, 2009, 2012, and 2014. Still, all of the wines are remarkable.
If you are an avid wine lover, it is a must to have a taste of Italy’s Super Tuscan. You are not only tasting a beautiful tone of elixir but a timeless classic. A history and craftsmanship that you can adore.