Italy
Toscolo
Santa Lucia
Winemaker: Franco Bernabei
Toscolo, an Italian renaissance word meaning Tuscan boy, is Neil and Maria Empson's labour of love from a long-time passion for this extraordinary region. The Empsons chose friend and star oenologist Franco Bernabei to style the wines and their experience and expertise gives them access to a cross-section of Tuscany's finest vineyards. 2007 is the first vintage of Toscolo Vernaccia, from the towered medieval town of one of Tuscany's finest gems, San Gimignano. Perched on a hill overlooking the Val d'Elsa, its intricate lacework of ancient white stone is set against a fairy tale backdrop of deep green valleys and mountains, seemingly plucked from a Rennaissance fresco. The wine is delicately aromatic with a bouquet of white flowers, pear and honeysuckle with a firm citrussy freshness.
Toscolo Chianti, an all-Sangiovese varietal, is supple with cherry fruit and a soft flavourful palate with appealing balance and that essential 'bite' that makes Sangiovese particularly food-friendly and versatile. Joining the Tuscan line-up is Dolce Toscolo, made from Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria) from the island of Pantelleria, off the coast of western Sicily. In lavic, volcanic soil, bush-trained vines are planted in holes to protect them from the howling winds. The wine is a deep straw yellow with the orange blossom bouquet of its terroir, the palate rich with apricots, caramel and an almond finish.
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Wines
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Chianti DOCG
Dolce IGT 500