Il Cerchio Wine

Although the Maremma region has become synonymous with the Super Tuscan phenomenon (with its Cabernets and Merlots, etc.), the Il Cerchio wines are the polar opposite of this movement. Here the emphasis in on authentic, pure, and non-manipulated wines from local varieties (and no new oak!). So it’s the indigenous Ansonica (Inzolia) and Vermentino for the whites, and Sangiovese and Alicante (Sardinia’s Cannonau- aka Grenache, not to be confused with Alicante Bouchet) that hold sway. Certified organic since 1994, the 3-hectares of vines are tended by hand and with no lack of passion. Low yields have long been a feature here (30-40 hl/ha) and the wines are today made by Beniamino Podesta, Corrina’s son. Fermented with their native yeasts, mostly in stainless steel (save for a small amount of old French oak used for the Alicante cuvée), vinifications take place without additions save for a little sulphur at bottling and the wines are bottled unfiltered.