‘Podere Forte’
‘The Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, encircles the Podere Forte. The estate was founded in 1997 by Pasquale Forte, a visionary entrepreneur who has created a balanced system where every element complements the others, following the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture. The old concept of the corte romana has been recreated on the 500 ha estate: a place where people, plants and animals coexist in harmony and sustainable self-sufficiency. A celebration of biodiversity.’
So not only is Podere Forte a winery that makes delicious wine, but they are also aiming on biodiversity and sustainability, which is a must at the moment.
Completely bespoke, like the machinery and the vats, the winery is a unique space built over five floors, of which only two are completely above ground. The structure allows liquids to be moved by gravity, thanks to the tubes connecting the various floors. They reduce the need for pumps and allow the grapes, musts and wine to flow naturally towards the ageing barrels, minimising mechanical stress.
So let’s talk a bit a about Petruccino, a wine that I particularly like.
“Petruccino has taken flight.
It is a free spirit that follows its own path.
A messenger from Tuscany’s true heart: Sangiovese.”
-Pascale Forte
This wine is bold and spicy, rough and robust, but fresh and delightful to drink. The 2108 winter was gentle, mild and calm. The temperature was above average going into spring and bud-burst was earlier than normal. March and April remained warmer than average and the buds developed quickly.
The necessary rain arrived in good time and in good quantity. May and June were wet and replenished the ground water, providing coolness for the coming heat. Summer arrived a little before its solstice, the temperature rising slowly, never going above 32˚ and remaining warm until the end of the season. There was some summer rain and the evening breeze kept the nights cool.
Flowering began on 4th June and veraison in the third week of July, finishing on 16th August in the Melo vineyard and 2nd September in the Anfiteatro. Harvest started in mid-September and finished on 2nd October in the Angfiteatro and on 10th October in Melo.
This is an excellent expression of Sangiovese. Willing to try something new? Go buy this.
Source: https://podereforte.it/en/petruccino/
