5 Tuscan Wines and Fellowship in Three Time Zones

Wine is a great vehicle for fellowship. A bottle of wine is made for sharing--that's why they come in 750mL bottles, not single servings. Whether with your spouse, old friends, around the holiday table, or making new friends, wine is a great way to share and connect.

Remarkably, this is something that we refused to give up on, even during the pandemic lockdown. Like many of you, I logged on to Zoom for virtual happy hour with friends, and popped corks for online birthday parties. So when I got a note from a podcaster about recording a show with our Tuscan friends at Sassotondo, I thought, “Since I’m not flying to Italy anytime soon, it sounds like a good time!”

David Furer is a wine expert, writer, and podcaster who produces the excellent show “Drinking on the Edge,” a series of interviews with wine producers and other industry professionals, which brings insight and education to the mix. His approach immediately resonated with me; like us, he’s seeking to shine a light on the out-of-the-way places and grape varieties. Sitting down to talk with him seemed like a no-brainer--and a fun time at that.

To make it even more fun, I invited a friend and local restaurateur with deep knowledge of Italian food and wine. After a few rounds back and forth about scheduling across three time zones, we managed to all meet up in the same digital space, microphones ready and wines open.

What followed was a wonderful conversation full of great stories, insightful questions, and a deeper appreciation for the remarkable wines that Carla and Edoardo are creating.

I checked in with David about when this episode will be released, and he let me know it’s in the queue for next month. Be on the lookout, and I’ll be sure to remind you.

In the meantime, for those of you wanting to follow along and taste for yourself, we’ve got a selection of Sassotondo wines available now. For those who have had the chance to taste these already, my guess is you want to restock on these. Check out the selection below, mix and match a 6-pack or case for a discount, and grab these while you can.

Over the past thirty-five years, Carla and Edoardo have planted a constellation of grape varieties over 12 hectares of vines. They bring their free-spirited and curious nature to the winemaking, devoting themselves to experimentation in the vineyards and cellar, and in the process, they have resurrected little-known grapes like Ciliegiolo, Teroldego, and Nocionello Nero.

• Sassotondo Rosso Ciliegiolo Maremma Toscana 2023 •

Assembled from several parcels across the property, this is 100% Cilegiolo fermented and aged in stainless steel to extract ripe fruit flavors and chewy tannins, with pure fruit freshness. Notes of red fruits, plum, licorice, and the typical touch of ground white pepper.

• Sassotondo Ciliegiolo 'Monte Calvo' 2021 •

Part of their “Volcanic Series,” the Monte Calvo is 100% Ciliegiolo from a small homogeneous parcel within the old San Lorenzo vineyard. Fermented in stainless steel, then it ages in 1000L barrels for 12 months. This is vibrant and full of bright red fruit, but also structured and spicy from the use of whole cluster fermentation.

• Sassotondo 'Franze' 2020 •

A blend of 65% Ciliegiolo and 35% Teroldego, in a nod to Carla’s roots in Trentino. Produced only in very favorable years, the Teroldego adds tannic structure to the elegance and smoothness of Ciliegiolo. While time has mellowed this wine, it’s still a grippy wine, well-suited to a big cut of beef.

• Sassotondo Ciliegiolo 'San Lorenzo' 2019 •

The San Lorenzo is the “mother vineyard” located by the old village of Pitigliano, where Carla has painstakingly nurtured 60+ year-old vines of this rare native variety (and farmed them organically since 1994). After fermentation, Edoardo ages this wine in old Slavonian oak foudres for nearly 2 years, then ages it in bottle for another year in the underground cellars, giving it a refined muscularity. Aromas are dominated by cherry and black currants, black pepper, and clove. On the palate, this wine is elegant and persistent.

• Sassotondo 'Monte Rosso' 2021 •

Indigenous to the region surrounding Pitigliano, Nocchianello Nero is a rare variety indeed. Count this among Sassotondo’s efforts to revive and preserve the vinous heritage of Italy. The results of their effort are elegant, succulent, and will draw you in with its delicate aromas of dried flowers, savory herbs, and ripe red fruit, complemented by a silky texture and lasting finish.

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If you want to follow along with the podcast tasting, or just want to dive into Carla and Edoardo's world, this is your chance to pick up a few bottles of their utterly unique wines.