March 22, 2019

SELVAPIANA “Vigneto Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva 2013

(Chianti Rufina, Tuscany, Italy) $30

Wonderful classic flavors of espresso, cherries, licorice, and tobacco. Plus a hint of saltiness which is often a characteristic of terrific Chianti. Superb with meat pastas.

90 points KM

Eighteenth century French kings would accept Madiran wines as payment for taxes. What grape would the royalty have been drinking?

A. Cabernet Sauvignon

B. Malbec

C. Pinot Noir

D. Tannat

Tannat originated in the Basque region of southern France, notably in Madiran near the Pyrénées Mountains. French kings accepted Madiran wines in lieu of currency for taxes. Today, plantings in France have been steadily decreasing, but tannat is now one of the most prominent gapes in Uruguay where it is considered the “national grape.” Doubtful, though, that the president of Uruguay will take the wine instead of pesos for taxes.

“Based on chemistry, DNA, ancient texts, art, ethnography and experimental archaeology, it’s clear that as humans, we are set up as biological creatures to drink alcohol.”

— Dr. Patrick McGovern, Director of Biomolecular Archaeology, University
of Pennsylvania, and author of Ancient Wine: The Search for the Origins of Viniculture

SELVAPIANA “Vigneto Bucerchiale” Chianti Rufina Riserva 2013

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