Immerse Yourself in La Vita Ruffino and Taste the Italian Lifestyle

Deeply rooted in Tuscany, is Ruffino, founded more than 140 years ago by cousins Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino. In 1877, their small winery was established near Florence, an area already known for its exceptional wines. The cousins felt that the region had even more potential thanks to its mineral-rich soils, cool breezes from the Mediterranean Sea, abundant sunshine and dry conditions during the growing season. Now, Ruffino is comprised of six vineyard estates that have received international accolades for their portfolio of classic, traditional choices such as Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione Chianti Classico to modern, creative wines such as their Super Tuscan IGT Modus.

It was a true pleasure to spend an afternoon with Beppe d’Andrea, Ruffino’s Senior Global Brand Ambassador. Our conversation centered around the Ruffino brand, its signature wines and the new hotel property on its Poggio Casciano estate only 20 minutes from Florence. Throughout our chat, Beppe embodied Ruffino’s mantra of La Vita Ruffino, the art of good living, with fascinating stories of Ruffino’s wines and its storied history, his deep appreciation for Italian food and wine and his passion for the Italian lifestyle.

At its inception, Beppe explained, “the Ruffino philosophy was to offer consumers high quality wine at the time when other producers were making table wine.” The goal to produce “clean, balanced wine” is pervasive even today. “Every-day-wine as well as the exclusive selections must be great in order to be released,” stated Beppe. Some vineyards are organic and the balance is moving towards each receiving their certification soon. “If we respect the land, region, energy, water and environment, wines of quality will be produced,” he remarked.

As one of the largest wineries in Tuscany, with 3000 acres and 7 estates, Ruffino is recognized worldwide. Throughout the years, awards have been bestowed. The collection began when its Chianti won a gold medal in Bordeaux in 1890 and again in the 1893 World Exposition in Chicago where it received a gold medal.  Ruffino Chianti was one of the first wineries to wrap the bottle in straw, fiasco, used as a packing agent and was the first Chianti to be imported to the United States. In 1984, when Chianti became recognized as a DOCG wine, Ruffino Chianti DOCG was awarded the first warranty strip: #AAA00000001.

With every sip of three classic wines, I understood exactly Beppe’s statement “If the wine isn’t high quality, it won’t be released.”

Our first wine, SanteDame Chianti Classico DOCG 2016 ($19.99), is comprised of 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Colorino, 5% Cabernet and Canaiolo grapes from 30 to 40 year old vines grown at the Santedame Estate located near the village of Castellina in Chianti. The fist vintage of this wine was 1988. The hillside vineyards, at 1000-1500 feet above sea level, are of poor soil but rich in marl, clay and sand. On the nose, enticing elements of purple flowers, juicy plums, tobacco and black pepper were prevalent. Elegant and structured, flavors of ripe plums, black currant, blackberries, violets and crushed red berries were threaded with soft tannins and moderate acidity. Consider pairing this lovely wine with traditional Italian specialties such as chicken cacciatore and Portobello mushrooms. Of note is the label on which is printed a fresco from the small chapel on the property and painted in the 1500s by the artist who taught Michelangelo. Beppe explained that “Renaissance art was the Instagram of the time. Instead of looking for “likes,” people collected works of art!”

It was a joy to taste Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 ($24.99) of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot sourced from selected growers in vineyards found in the provinces of Siena and Florence. The microclimates in these areas offer a range of rich aromatics that were intense. Noted on both nose and palate were fruit and floral notes of cherries, berries, plums, violet petals, baking spice, and tobacco leaves. Well integrated tannins and bright acidity framed this balanced wine that will be delightful with beef ragu, pasta dishes or grilled steak. With another nod to history, Beppe shared that in 1890, the Duke of Aosta, already fascinated by Ruffino’s reputation, arrived at the winery and asked the cellar master for a “wine reserved for the Duke.” Impressed with the wines, the Duke designated Ruffino as the “official supplier of wines to the Italian royal family.” Fast forward to 1927. The name “Reserva Ducale” was first used on the label in order to acknowledge the Duke’s patronage.

The Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2014 ($41) was a stellar finale to our conversation and tasting. Of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 5% Colorino, this wine is from grapes selected from Ruffino’s Gretole, Santedame and Casavecchia di Cagnano estates located in Castellina in Chianti and at 82-1300 feet above sea level. The wine is only produced in what the winemakers consider the best vintage years; since 1947, the first year of production, Oro, meaning “gold”, has been made from only 32 vintages. This wine! Intense aromas of black cherries, ripe plums, mint leaves, tobacco, espresso and pepper were glorious. On the palate, full-bodied and rich, satin-like tannins and moderate acidity lifted flavors of balsamic herbs, tobacco, plums and dark red fruit. Aged for three years (the first 12 months in concrete vats, 12 months in Slavonian oak and 12 months in barriques and tonneax), the wine begs for a rich and savory dish for pairing.

Are you enticed to find a bottle of Ruffino wine and begin your wine travel experience to the estate for an immersion into La Vita Ruffino? I am!  Relais Ruffino is located at the Poggio Casciano estate where guests can experience a host of activities including a plethora of themed wine tastings with generous sides of history, stories and landscape. For detailed descriptions, click here.

High quality wine and crave-worthy Italian food in an exceptional Tuscan setting? It’s La Vita Ruffino!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

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