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exploring taste – Spring/Summer 2016 wine culture – Uniqueness in Chianti Classico

always give something in return.” And there’s the French, of course, but only the
Today Lamole di Lamole is an internationally ones who are not exceedingly patriotic,” he jokes.
recognized area of wine excellence. “And to think The tour moves from the historic vineyard to the
several scholars and experts of Tuscan wine have cellars, and then through to the Vin Santo cellar
long sustained that the clone of the Sangiovese (Vin Santo, the Tuscan traditional dessert wine is
grosso of Montalcino derives from Lamole di another of the company’s signature products), and
Lamole.” Today there is a more open dialogue finally ends in the Lamole di Lamole Salotto, as is
with guides and specialized media and consum- it commonly referred to, where you can sample
ers are more knowledgeable and aware. “When the wines and discover local food. “Tour operators
the Gambero Rosso Wine Guide awards you three are constantly looking for new ways of bringing
glasses for your yearly vintage, and not just your tourists to truly experience local culture. In the
special reserve bottles, it is proof enough that your warmer months, from April to October, which are
product is good. Not everyone can say the same.” also the most important months in wine making,
Lamole di Lamole ages in oak barrels, under the we host two tours each day. The young, in partic-
medieval vaults of the cellar, preserved as it has ular, are much more aware. It is uncomfortable for
always been. “Our wines do very little barrique, us Italians to admit it, but in the last 15-20 years
fortunately that particular trend has come to pass this country had lost its wine culture. Today’s new
and we were proved right in the end: this too, is generations are rediscovering the importance
what we mean by working with nature, let the of locally sourced products and they make more
wine speak for itself.” informed choices. Effective communication, in
Today, Lamole di Lamole also means hospitality this industry, is all about teaching people how to
and a direct relationship with visitors to the area. drink better, and responsibly.” While we chat, a
The wine estate is open for tours and wine-tast- Spanish couple climbs out of a car, like in a movie
ing sessions. “To understand Lamole di Lamole about a picturesque holiday under the Tuscan sun.
you have to start from the vineyards, make the “Can we find out more about your estate and your
entire journey, from the grape to the wineglass,” wines?” And just like that, a perfect example of
in the words of hospitality manager Sebastiano what Lamole di Lamole is all about, an unexpect-
Pedani. He grew up not far from here and has ed detour on an Italian holiday, a chance to take
worked for years on the estate, you can tell that home one more precious memory.
for him this journey is, first and foremost, a per- From the road you can admire the hills, the
sonal one. “Until you experience what it feels like rolling vineyards and the faces of Lamole’s res-
to walk through a vineyard, you cannot under- idents as they go about their daily business, the
stand.” Today the winery attracts Italian and in- workmen pruning off the dry branches and the
ternational visitors alike, the same who seek out lady who lives in the main square, practically
Lamole di Lamole wine everywhere in the world. a local institution. Legend has it that the best
“The Americans make up by far the largest con- answer to the question “What makes this wine
tingent, they are also the most open-minded and so special?” was given by one of Lamole’s oldest
curious, Northern Europe is a novelty, together residents: “Che dire: l’è bòno!” (What is there to
with markets such as China, Germany and Japan. say? It’s good!)

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