Canaiolo (Canaiolo Nero)

The hilltop town of Montepulciano lies in the south of Tuscany near the town of Siena. The surrounding vineyards are planted with indigenous Sangiovese grapes (Prugnolo), used to produce one of Italy`s noblest red wines. Susanna Crociani blends Sangiovese with a little Canaiolo and Mammolo, and traditional winemaking methods encourage extraction of voluptuous fruit character, with a distinct mineral and subtle oak influence after two and a half years in barrel and a further six months in bottle. The wine is ruby red with an orange tint, leading to a delicate and intense wine.

Paolo De Marchi's excellent Chianti Classico is elegant and supple, full of perfumed fruit, with depth, structure and minerality.