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Fattoria Astorre Noti is situated in Castelnuovo Berardenga, Ruppiano, in the heart of the Chianti Classico district. It extends to 32 acres of Sangiovese and Merlot grapevines and its cellar is in constant production; it truly is the heart of the production of Alma Wines in Tuscany.
Even in Ancient Greece, unlike agricultural labor, harvesting was
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considered a joyful activity that not only gave people the chance to take a break from their daily routine, but it also enabled them to communicate with and appreciate their Gods and Goddesses. As a result, many Greek representations of the wine harvest, such as paintings and vases, illustrate Dionysus, God of wine. Nowadays, the harvest is still one of the most important, meaningful times of the year.
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The days that precede the harvest are exciting and always bring out the unexpected, yet it is the most expected, electrifying time of the year. Grapevines are observed and analyzed all year around, from the moment they bloom until they are ready to be harvested.
Certainly, deciding on the first day of
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the harvest is key; both the oenologist and the agronomist must be able to calculate it based on a combination of their own experience and their analyses. Our oenologists Jean-François Coquard and Roberto Gerbino and our agronomist Claudio Giorgi have worked very hard to set a final first day.
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Based on their observations, it is safe to say that the grapes harvested this year are healthy, their sugar content is ideal, and they are acidic to the right point. It is easy to tell because they are “sticky,” meaning they leave a sticky substance on one’s hands when touched (suggesting a high sugar content according to an Italian proverb).
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The peel, when tasted, is thick and has a hard texture, which suggests that its coloring substances have matured all the way to the peel. These grapes will account for 2 great wines: Chianti Classico Riserva and a SuperTuscan, which will be entirely and solely produced with the grapes cultivated and harvested in our own vineyards.
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