2021 GREAT WINES OF ITALY MASTERCLASSES

/// HOSTED & PRESENTED BY JAMES SUCKLING ///

UNDERSTANDING GRAN SELEZIONE: CHIANTI CLASSICO’S GREATEST DESIGNATION

Nov 20, 2021 (Saturday); 12noon – 1 P.M.

@ James Suckling Wine Central

8 wines to taste / HK$1,288 per person incl. `1 artisan cheese and charcuterie platter per person

LIMITED TO 12 PAX

This is an incredibly rare opportunity to taste a selection of eight outstanding Chianti Classicos from the top designation “Gran Selezione”. Learn from world-acclaimed wine critic James Suckling himself what’s it all about and why these are outstanding wines. James has been tasting wines from Italy for more than four decades and has been visiting the country regularly since 1983 when he first traveled across Italy with a group of US wine merchants. As many of you know he has a home not far from Florence, and usually he tries to visit at least once or twice a year.

_______

Gran Selezione is the highest designation for wines from Chianti Classico DOCG. A classification of renewed interest recently, with changes in the rules this year to include higher sangiovese requirements and allowing the use of village names, Gran Selezione has long been a source of quality wines, showing the best from the Chianti region. This small classification atop the Chianti pyramid represents just five to six percent of total volume for the Classico category, with stricter rules and overall greater concentration, complexity and oak usage. Come discover 8 top wines from the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages.

______

AND THERE’S MORE….

Guests will be treated to an artisan cheese and charcuterie platter to round off the evening and will be welcome with an aperitivo.

Guests may decide to stay on and have dinner after at James Suckling Wine Central and sample Chef Albert’s incredible wine-friendly food, including the delicious Organic Yellow Brick Chicken, USDA Prime Petit Tender Beef Tataki or his insanely creamy Rigatoni Alla Cabonara.

Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto Il Poggio 2016, 97 pts

* * *

Mazzei Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli 2018, 94 pts

* * *

Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018, 94 pts

* * *

Fèlsina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia 2017, 93 pts

* * *

Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli 2017, 93 pts

* * *

Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Clemente VII 2016, 92 pts

* * *

Vallepicciola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Lapina 2017, 92 pts

* * *

Villa a Sesta Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sorleone 2017, 91 pts

* * *

Mazzei

Mazzei is one of the oldest and most prestigious names in Tuscan winemaking. The Mazzei family’s primary holding, since 1435 no less, is Castello di Fonterutoli, in the southern part of the Chianti Classico appellation, near Siena.

Castelli del Grevepesa

Welcome to the largest family of Chianti Classico. Blossoming on the initiative of Gualtiero Armando Nunzi in 1965, Castelli del Grevepesa has developed from an original collection of 17 growers to a cooperative of more than 120 associate winegrowers.

Castello di Bossi

Located in the commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga, the vineyards of Castello di Bossi are some of the best in Chianti Classico. Don’t miss these top wines from one of Tuscany’s consistently outstanding estates.

Castello di Monsanto

The name Castello di Monsanto is synonymous with ageworthy Chianti Classico. Castello di Monsanto was the first winery in the region to make a single-vineyard designated wine – Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna  Il Poggio.

Fèlsina

Just about every wine Felsina makes from its vineyards in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany, not far from the village of Castelnuovo Berardenga, is of outstanding quality. Purchased in 1966 by Domenico Poggiali, the property has been a leader in Tuscany for more than three decades and still continues to assert its lofty position.

Rocca delle Macìe

A major player in Tuscany’s lauded wine regions of Chianti Classico and the Maremma, Rocca delle Macie produces wonderful Chianti Classico. James has long been impressed with the clarity and precision of the winemaking here.

Vallepicciola

The Vallepicciola estate now has 105 hectares under vine. Add to that a new state-of-the art winery, run by renowned winemaker Alessandro Cellai, and the result is the emergence of a major producer in the area with 14 labels.

Villa a Sesta

Fifty hectares are turned over to vines, sangiovese primarily, though its Casanova vineyard supplies cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Villa a Sesta is home to a traditional olive-oil mill (using cold extraction), but the cellars, where grapes are aged, are thoroughly modern.

This masterclass tasting at James Suckling Wine Central is part of Great Wines of Italy 2021 Grand Tasting & Masterclass Program throughout November – a series of curated tasting events featuring close to 100 of Italy’s greatest producers and their top-scoring wines. Check out the full line-up of all masterclass tastings and other programs during the tasting month at: www.jamessuckling.com/event/great-wines-italy-hongkong-2021

Book your ticket now to reserve your seat!

For question or enquiries, contact us at eventsAsia@jamessuckling.com or via phone at 2539 7999.