Best for Baccus: The noble of Cantina del Redi of Montepulciano
Cantina del Redi, named after the 17th Century poet Franceso Redi who immortalized the wines of Montepulciano in his work “Bacchus in Tuscany”, has
been owned since 1988 by the Cooperative Veccia Cantina whose headquarters are located in Montepulciano in the Ricci Palace, an impressive structure completed in 1562. All of the grapes used in Redi’s wines are sourced from eight partner growers in the area. Redi’s massive cellars, cut deeply in the rock under the town in the end of the 17th Century, help assure a consistent cool temperature for aging. Cantina del Redi produces 180,000 bottles per year in 
total, including small amounts of a 50 percent Chardonnay/ 50 percent Viogner blend named Riccio, vin santo and the Italian “grow hair where it was never meant to be”: grappa.
The Winery
In the heart of Montepucliano, just a few steps from Piazza Grande, the main square in town, below the elegant Palazzo Ricci, a Renaissance palace commissioned by Cardinal Giovanni Ricci (1498-1574) to the great Sienese architect Baldassarre Peruzzi (1481-1536), there is the monumental Cantina de’ 
Ricci, one of the most ancient and beautiful in the world, which is accessed through an impressive equestrian staircase that gradually leads the visitor to the discovery of an enchanted place.
Here, for many centuries, the now extinct Ricci Family has lovingly cared and treasured one of the most demanded products of these lands: the wine.
The Cellar - For those visiting the Wine Cellar, excavated into the soft tufaceous soil, roofed by a monumental succession of arches and sustained by massive pillars which together remind us of a Romano-Gothic Cathedral, the sight is absolutely breathtaking.
out of the tuff, which host, at an optimal natural temperature, rows and rows of huge precious Slavonian oak casks, perfectly preserved, where thousands of hectolitres of the delicious Vino Nobile are stored.In dozens of neatly lined barriques are refined the best wines obtained from grapes ripened under the golden sun of Tuscany, in the well-kept vineyards which luxuriant crown the fertile and gorgeous hills around Montepulciano sloping gently toward the Valdichiana valley on the East, and stretching until the edge of the Valdorcia valley on the West.A visit to this Wine Cellar is a journey throughout time and history; here you will find the very essence of the sweet land of Tuscany: the wine, which the Etruscans, our distant ancestors, centuries before the Christian era, already took care of, worshipped and drank, with passion and perseverance, in happiness and joy!
The cellar, on the occasion of a high qualified visit of a few international enologists organised by the Enoteca Italiana Senese in 1992, was defined as “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WINE CELLAR IN THE WORLD”. (Bell’Italia N.95 March 1994)
WHERE IS Cantina de’ Ricci - Via Collazzi, 7 – 53045 Montepulciano (SI) – Ph & Fax +39-0578 757166EMAIL: info@dericci.it
We reccommend to book the visit + wine and food tasting, and please don’t miss their “lardo” , salami and truffle cheese!
Remember always to book before going. Special treatment for Fontanaro’s guests!
For il Fontanaro their best wine is:
1) THE ORBAIO RED - Super Tuscan wine made with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Maturation for 12 months in French oak barriques, colour is deep ruby red with pleasing blackberry hues. The bouquet is generous, full, smooth and very persistent, redolent of berries, with pleasing scents of vanilla and liquorice. The flavour is dry, velvety flavour that’s harmonius yet intense; warm and opulent sensations from the oak. Pairs very well with cold cuts,red meatdishes, game and seasoned cheeses.
2) THE BRIAREO; RED – Most famous wine made with Sangiovese and Canaiolo grape varieties. Ageing 24 months in large, Slavonic oak barrels, with a small percentage refined in French oak barriques. Colour is deep ruby red with light violet tones, bouquet is of varietal perfume of cherry and other red berry fruits with notes of toasted spice for a refined delicacy. Flavour is full and lively, excellent tannic notes and a long fruity finish with a light and lingering toastiness. Excellent with seasoned cheeses, all types of meat, including full- flavoured meats and traditional tuscan salami.
3) THE RICCIO, WHITE – With ith Chardonnay and Viogner grape varieties, vinification made by soft pressing, separation through decantation, controlled temperature fermentation. Maturation period is 3 months in French oak barriques, followed by 3 months refiniment in the bottle. Colour is straw yellow with greenish hues, flavour dry and well balanced in the fullness of the alcohol, well integrated with light vanilla flavours that convay a great delicacy. The finish is harmonious and balanced in its principal components. Excellent with grilled fish and fish soups, this wine pairs well with white meats and medium- seasoned cheeses.
2 Comments
April 5, 2013 @7:31 pm Edit
We are going to be in Tuscany the last week in May and the first week in June. May we book our tour after we arrive in Italy?
April 5, 2013 @8:31 pm Edit
Reply, yes you can email us info@fontanaro.it