The Piemaggio estate is located at Le Fioraie, a hamlet on the north-western side of the Castellina in Chianti territory, along the road to Poggibonsi, in the heart of the historical Chianti Classico. Piemaggio is the name of the farmhouse in the centre of the estate. The most ancient part of the farmhouse dates back to the XI-XII century AD. The remains of an age-old 'Pieve' (church) in the heart of the property, bear witness to the agricultural vocation of the site. Religious orders in the middle ages acted as the custodians of agricultural knowledge, handing it down throughout the centuries.
The name of the estate, Piemaggio, probably originates from the presence of the Pieve ('Pie') located on the highest hillside ('maggiore') in the estate.
The drawing with the three flower sellers, repeated on the wine labels, has represented the identity of the wines since 1954. Le Fioraie, in Italian 'the flower sellers', is the name of the place where the estate is located.
“Legend has it that the name of Le Fioraie is linked to the pilgrim friar who passed by the estate, many centuries ago, one day in a very hot summer. The pilgrim, exhausted after so much walking in the excessive heat, fainted. Three sisters, local flower sellers, saw the friar crumple on the ground and offered him a glass of wine to revive him. The friar thanked the flower sellers and resumed his pilgrimage, but he never forgot the place. After a few months he returned, started building a small church and planted a few vines."
We'll never know whether this tale is history or legend: however, the three flower sellers are the symbol linking the wine to its place of production, A direct homage to this magical corner of the Chianti Classico area.
The vineyards at Piemaggio cover over 12 hectares. The vines, all trained with the Guyot system, grow on a number of separate hillsides with south and south-westerly aspect. The altitude sits between 380 and 480 metres above sea level, with slopes of variable steepness.
Thick woods surround the vineyards on all sides. Together with the altitude and the constant breeze, the presence of the forest helps protect both vines and grapes from damaging summer droughts.
The galestro and alberese soils, part of the geological heritage of Chianti Classico sites, guarantee perfect drainage of the vineyards: an essential feature for the healthy development of the vines.
At Piemaggio, the Sangiovese grape variety reigns supreme, covering about 10 hectares in total. The clones used in the vines have been carefully selected: at the moment, six have been identified.
Colorino, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo are the other vine varieties typical of the Chianti Classico territory that grow on the estate besides Sangiovese. Lastly, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes grow towards the production of an IGT wine.
600 olive trees grow on the estate's grounds, producing an extra-virgin olive oil with all the typical features of a Tuscan oil from the Chianti hills.
The cellar
The cellar at Piemaggio is situated roughly one kilometre from the farmhouse and the vineyards, as the crow flies. It was modernised in 2014, with the purchase of new 100HL steel vats for controlled temperature fermentation.
The ageing phase takes place within 110HL vats in fiberglass concrete. During this important part of the process, the vats help preserve the integrity and freshness of the Sangiovese grown at Piemaggio.
The cellar also hosts 25HL French oak barrels as well as 5HL tonneaux, also made of French wood, used for the Chianti Classico Le Fioraie, Chianti Classico Riserva Le Fioraie and Piemaggio, an IGT wine.
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Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle No. 26 is a blend of 58% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir
white gold in color with delicate and persistent bubbles, Grand Siecle No. 26 offers a very complex nose which mixes honeysuckle, lemon, clementine and fresh butter aromas, followed by notes of hazelnut and a touch of honey. The feel in the mouth is very delicate and fresh with candied lemon and fresh hazelnut aromas. The palate is silky and mineral with notes of honeysuckle, flaked almonds and clementine.
It pairs with high quality produce and refined dishes, including shellfish, noble fish and white meats such as Thai style langoustine tartare and fine roasted poultry.
Vintage in Champagne is usually synonymous with excellence for Prestige Cuvées. Contrarily, Laurent‑Perrier believes that only the art of assemblage can offer what nature can never provide, that is, the perfect year.
The expression of the perfect year is that of a great champagne wine that has long ageing potential and over time develops depth, intensity and aromatic complexity yet retains its freshness and vibrancy.
Since 1959, Grand Siècle has been revealed only 26 times in bottle format and 23 times in magnum.
The « Grand Siècle » (Great Century) is the name given to one of the most prosperous periods (17th century) in the history of France known for the capacity of man, through his works, to create what nature cannot. Louis XIVth, known as the « Sun King », by creating the « Château de Versailles » and its gardens, was the architect of this model of harmony, balance and perfection.
The symmetry and perspective of the « Jardins à la française », the capacity to grow Mediterranean fruits (especially Oranges inside the « Orangerie ») in such a Northern climate, creating the Grand Canal, the fountains and ponds with no nearby rivers are many illustrations of this ability of man to sublimate natural elements. The name of Grand Siècle was chosen for Laurent‑Perrier’s Prestige Cuvée based on this common vision to reach a perfection that Nature, on its own, cannot provide.
Review:
This is really something. Electric on the palate. The aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant. It's full of energy. Spectacular. Fascinating. Symphonic blend of 2012, 2008 and 2007. 65% of the 2012, 25% of the 2008 and 10% of the 2007. Eight grand cru. Chardonnay 58% and 42% pinot noir. Disgorged February 2023. 10 years on the lees. 7g/L dosage.
-James Suckling 100 Points
Alain de la Treille Les Folies Vouvray is made from 100 percent Chenin Blanc.
This is our newest Loire valley project, with an Eco friendly lightweight bottle and a screwcap.
Les Folies Vouvray is stunning with its elegancy and freshness which is carried through the ripe fruity palate, manned with hints of honey and apricots.
Les Folies Vouvray goes well with Asian food, fishes, charcuteries, BBQ pork spareribs or simply as an aperitif.