Ornellaia Poggio Alle Gazze

To be part of a Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin (DOCG), you absolutely must adhere to the regulations of that denomination. So in the 1970s and 1980s, when some producers in Tuscany (Italy) began experimenting with non-traditional vinifications and grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, instead of relying exclusively on native grape varieties like Sangiovese, and saw good results, they had no choice but to be labelled as simple table wines (Vino da Tavola). However, as their wines began to be considered high quality red wines contributing significantly to the region’s reputation for producing world-class wines, they became popularly known as Super Tuscan wines.

Because Ornellaia uses grape varieties that are not traditional to the region and follows an unconventional winemaking approach, it is commonly classified as a Super Tuscan. Their Ornellaia Poggio Alle Gazze is a white wine made with Sauvignon Blanc and a small amount of Vermentino and Viognier from a unique terroir and an extraordinary microclimate. The bunches are harvested by hand in small 15 kg boxes early in the morning and taken directly to the winery to cool in order to preserve all their intrinsic characteristics. The must is then slowly pressed and fermented by gravity in different containers: new and used oak barrels, stainless steel tanks and cement vats. Then, without malolactic fermentation, the wine matures on fine lees for 6 months, with regular batonnage, and then to finish, the final blend is created. It is not released for sale until it has been refined in the bottle for a few months.

As a pioneering winery in Tuscany whose wines enjoy the Super Tuscan label, Ornellaia Poggio Alle Gazze is a true gift of nature. A Mediterranean style white wine with a sumptuous structure and great elegance.