Cecchi Family Wines - authentic Tuscany: 10 August 2024.
In 2023 Cecchi Family Wines celebrated their 130th anniversary. The Cecchi family are synonymous with viticulture in Italy and around the globe - bringing out the best of Tuscany since 1893. Truly a family business, with Andrea Cecchi representing the 4th generation of this winemaking legacy that started with his great-grandfather Luigi. Cecchi symbolizes tradition, innovation and quality wine. While they continually innovate and look forward, it is the experience of their family going back over a hundred years that stands them in good stead to produce authentic wines. They are pioneers across the entire region of Tuscany where Sangiovese comes into its own, and they have a rich knowledge and understanding of the terroir.
It was in the 1970s, when Cecchi moved to their current site in ‘Castellina in Chianti’, an area which has traditionally produced Chianti Classico. Cecchi embodies Tuscan authenticity along with a diligent eye on innovation and sustainability, crafting wines that showcase a genuine expression of these family-owned vineyards. Cecchi has four dedicated wineries located across Tuscany and Umbria: Villa Cerna in the Chianti Classico region, Castello di Montauto at San Gimignano, Val delle Rose near Grosseto, and Tenuta Alzatura at Montefalco, in Umbria. I have had the pleasure to work with Andrea for over two decades and his enthusiasm and passion is infectious. And every time we start to work on a new project together, he repeatedly reminds me - “Tradition doesn't mean old wines”. As Tuscany has modernized, the Cecchi family has adopted both respectful as well as long venturing winemaking reforms, with a number of exciting projects across greater Tuscany and in particular Maremma.
When you taste these wines - you will find each has a unique signature. The talented team at Cecchi - *(like Miria Bracali, senior winemaker who joined in 1998), are determined to grow a dynamic and positive future. *(The following wines are available in several markets, plus ready to sip, savour & share).
Cecchi ‘Vernaccia di San Gimignano’ DOCG 2022
Grape Varietals: 90% Vernaccia & 10% Chardonnay
Growing Region: San Gimignano, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
Crafted with a mix of traditional & modern techniques to showcase the true personality of this celebrated varietal. Crafted in small & medium sized stainless-steel tanks to retain and express the natural fresh characters. After fermentation, the final blend was placed back into tank until bottling, then rested for a minimum 2 months before release.
★ In your glass you are greeted by a pale straw colour with a lime glow. This wine has upbeat citrus aromas along with delightful white floral notes. The palate is dynamic and perfectly balanced with just the right squeeze of citrus juices and lively green apple and pear flavours, along with a well-defined mineral seam and its natural appealing kiss of acidity. Resulting in a vivacious dry white wine with an enlivening finish.
• Chill gently & serve at 8°- 9°C : 12.5% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 18 - 24 months : *NZ$27.00
Cecchi ‘La Mora’ Vermentino DOC 2023
Grape Varietal: 100% Vermentino
Growing Region: Maremma, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
Crafted with modern techniques to showcase the vibrant personality of this exciting white varietal. Crafted in small & medium sized stainless-steel tanks to retain and express the natural fresh personality. After fermentation, the wine was placed back into tank until bottling, then rested for a minimum 2 months before release.
★ The nose you have inviting aromas of mixed citrus, green apples, pears, pineapple skin and subtle white floral notes that are the signature aromas of Vermentino from Maremma. The light, vibrant palate showcases these upbeat characteristics which are enlivened by the grape's dynamic level of acidity, which gives natural freshness and persistence on the clean dry finish. *(Arriving shortly in NZ)
• Chill gently & serve at 8°- 9°C : 13% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 18 - 24 months : *NZ$29.00
Cecchi Chianti DOCG 2022
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Caniolo & Colorino
Growing Region: Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
The fruit for this wine was sourced from varied vineyards located across the designated Chianti area in Tuscany. The vines are planted some 340m above sea level, where the soil has silky mix, pebbles, limestone and clay. The carefully harvested grapes underwent a traditional fermentation and then aged in oak barrels for around 6 months.
★ This 2022 ‘Chianti’ DOCG embraces traditional winemaking and showcases the dynamic and vibrant varietal characters of Sangiovese. On the nose your will find classic aromas of ripe cherries, red plums and violets. On the light-medium weight palate you get to enjoy those bright red cherry flavours along with subtle herbs and spice nuances, balanced with casual tannins, subtle oak and natural acidity leading to a clean dry finish.
• Gentle Decanting : Serve 16°- 17°C : 13% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 2 - 3 years : *NZ$25.00
Cecchi ‘Storia di Famiglia’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2021
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
The fruit for this wine was sourced from their own vineyards located in Castellina in Chianti, the area of Chianti Classico. The vines are planted some 305m above sea level, where the layered soils are stony and calcareous. The carefully harvested grapes underwent a traditional fermentation and then aged in oak barriques for around 6 - 8 months.
★ This ‘Chianti Classico’ DOCG embraces local winemaking traditions and showcases the dynamic varietal characters and appeal of Sangiovese. On the nose your will find inviting aromas of mixed cherries, red plums, dried herbs and violet notes. On the medium weight palate you get to enjoy those ripe mixed cherry flavours along with subtle cacao and spice nuances, balanced with fine tannins and integrated tobacco oak and a classic dry finish.
• Mild Decanting : Serve 16°- 18°C : 13% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 3 - 5 years : *NZ$34.00
Cecchi ‘Riserva di Famiglia’ Chianti Classico DOCG 2018
Grape Varietals: 90% Sangiovese & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Growing Region: Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
The fruit underwent a combination of traditional and modern vinification. Fermentation was held near to 26°C and maceration took approximately 2 weeks, until it was time to be transferred into a mix of oak barriques, where is developed for around 18 months. After blending and bottling it was rested for a minimum of 3 months before release.
★ On the nose dark cherries, plums, dried spices, violets & deft tobacco. The medium weight palate is engaging, showcasing those dark cherries, along with mocha-chocolate, dried herbs, spices and well-integrated use of oak. Nicely balanced with good tannins and honest acidity giving a dynamic energy. A fine grained texture, with a subtle smoky ember undertone giving a little mystery and added character to the classic dry finish.
• Mild Decanting : Serve 17°- 18°C : 13.5% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 5 - 6 years : *NZ$49.00
Cecchi ‘Brunello di Montalcino’ DOCG 2018
Grape Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Growing Region: Montalcino, Tuscany - Italy
Senior Winemaker: Miria Bracali
The fruit was sourced from three uniquely different vineyard sites. Fermentation was held around 28°C and maceration took approximately 2 weeks. Then it was time to be transferred into a mix of oak barriques, where it developed for around 24 months. After blending and bottling it was then aged for minimum of 24 months before release.
★ On the nose alluring aromas of dark cherries, wildflowers, dried herbs and a hint of cacao. These notes then turn into captivating flavours expressing dark cherries, plums, violets and cherry-chocolate infused with vanilla oak. Nicely wrapped in evenly distributed textural tannins & varietal acidity resulting in a well-balanced palate. A beguiling complexity is simply delivered across your palate, and with a lingering velvety smooth dry finish.
• Respectful Decanting : Serve 17°- 18°C : 14% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 7 - 8 years : *NZ$74.00
*(Cecchi vintages, availability & pricing will vary by outlet & country - ‘some wines are also limited in production’)