Piaggia

Anyone who believes that Sassicaia and Tignanello were the first Supertuscan wines does not know the history of Carmignano. The wine-growing region of the same name in the province of Prato is one of the oldest wine-growing areas in Italy and is located in the north-easternmost part of Tuscany. Great blends of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc have been produced here since the introduction of French grape varieties by the noble De Medici family in the 16th century.

Alongside Tenuta di Capezzana, Silvia Vannucci's Piaggia winery in the village of Poggio a Caiano is undoubtedly one of the top producers in this small wine region of just under 200 hectares. The talented winemaker took over the business in 2007 from her father Mauro, who acquired the estate in the 1970s. Inspired by the potential of Carmignano wines, the Vanucci family focussed on quality and acquired some of the best vineyards in the region.

Today, the sustainably farmed estate covers a total of 25 hectares of vineyards, from which you can enjoy a marvellous view over the city of Florence. The vines lie at an altitude of 50 to 300 metres in the immediate vicinity of the village of Carmignano. Protected by the Apennines and the Montalbano hill, this growing area has an ideal climate in which both Sangiovese and French grape varieties thrive.

The Vannucci family owes Piaggia's current success in part to its long-standing collaboration with OenologistEmiliano Falsini and consultant Alberto Antonini. For the well-coordinated team, sustainable work in the vineyard is a top priority, which is why the vines are pruned and harvested by hand every year in a time-consuming process.

Fermentation in the renovated wine cellar takes place with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks before the wines are transferred to wooden barrels for a longer maturation period. In this respect, the winery has developed considerably under Silvia's management: The use of new oak wood has been increasingly reduced over the last 15 years, so that the matured red wines can now delight with a fine and incredibly soft tannin - without dominant wood notes.

The exciting wines from Piaggia emphasise the enormous potential of the growing area, which is confirmed every year by famous wine critics such as Antonio Galloni (Vinous.com). For us, Carmignano is by far the longest established Supertuscan and a real insider tip for wine lovers looking for intensity, balance and elegance in the glass. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Piaggia winery, along with Tenuta di Capezzana, is undoubtedly the beacon of the Carmignano area. As the region grows and producers continue to improve their practices (and ultimately their wines), Piaggia has been at the forefront for longer than I can remember. What's more, the wines here are getting better and better. Silvia Vannucci places great emphasis on defining the unique terroirs in the vineyards and steadily reducing the use of oak in the winery. These changes have boosted the purity and quality of the wines without losing the noble lustre that sets Piaggia apart from the competition. If I were forced to choose one producer in Carmignano to follow, it would be Piaggia." Vinous