Sferracavalli Rosso Toskana IGT 2022

Wine description for Sferracavalli Rosso Tuscany IGT 2022 by Le Chiuse

Character

The Strada Vicinale Sferracavalli is a small country road in the Località Valdicava – and it was once so rough that coachmen would loosen their horses from the bridle here and re-nail the lost horseshoes (“sferrare i cavalli”). This very road runs past the Le Chiuse vineyard parcels, and it is precisely after this road that the Magnelli family named their most straightforward wine. Only 5,300 bottles annual production, 100 per cent Sangiovese Grosso, without DOCG regulations, without minimum ageing requirements – the everyday wine of the house, designed for simple cuisine and long summer afternoons.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the same parcel complex as the Rosso and Brunello – north-eastern slope of the Montosoli hill, Località Valdicava, 300 to 500 metres elevation, Galestro slate and calcareous marl with volcanic tuff influence. Organic farming since 2005, certificate IT-BIO-015. The same location as the Rosso – the difference lies in the maturation and vine selection: here the parcel edge sections and the youngest vines are processed.

Grape variety & Vinification

100 per cent Sangiovese Grosso, aged for approximately 13 months in large Slavonian botti (30 hl) – the very same barrels in which the Rosso and Brunello also mature. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts at approximately 29 degrees, gravity processing, no barriques. The result is a low-tannin, saline-juicy Sangiovese with 14 per cent alcohol by volume, which shows the house’s signature in its lightest interpretation. A rarity: the production is small enough that the wine is usually sold directly from the winery.

Food pairing suggestions

The classic all-rounder Sangiovese for simple Tuscan cuisine: Pappa al pomodoro, Panzanella (bread salad with tomatoes and basil), Pinsa romana with ‘Nduja, grilled sardines with lemon, Crostini con fegatini. Even with lightly salted fish such as Insalata di mare it works beautifully. The trick in the Italian summer: place the wine in the fridge for half an hour and serve at 14–15 degrees – just as the Magnelli family does at their own table.