Grape blend: Sangiovese, Montepulciano
Alcohol content: 12.5% vol
Acidity: 5.23 g/l
Residual sugars: 8.2 g/l
… a white “dressed” in red. Light, fragrant, not too tannic, perfect in summer because it’s drunk chilled. After taking a break in 2023 – a year unsuited to such a special wine – Birborosso makes a big comeback with the 2024 vintage, thanks to a season that yielded Montepulciano grapes full of aroma, polyphenols and anthocyanins (responsible for the colour), and fresh Sangiovese. Cold maceration (at approximately 6 °C for less than a week) made it possible to extract sweet, light polyphenols, while fermentation, again at a low temperature, preserved the varietal aromas and lively colour of the grape skins. The typical Sangiovese structure is there, but softened by the production method and by the Montepulciano grapes that add elegance and aroma. The result is a red wine that’s decidedly unconventional, original and surprising, as its Tuscan-sounding name, Birborosso (“birbo” = rascal) suggests.
Tasting – Colour: intense purple red that tinges the glass with violet nuances. The nose: the leading note is ripe cherry, followed by sweet plum, dried violets and rose petals, with a hint of cinnamon in the finish. In the mouth: a fresh and fruity impact, more like an aromatic white than a red, with a touch of pleasant natural effervescence. Barely perceptible tannins, good acidity and consistency.
Wine and Food Pairing – Served chilled (around 10 °C) it’s delicious as an unusual aperitif, as well as being an ideal companion for a summer picnic or a meal outdoors. It’s excellent with classic appetizers, with spicy crostini, fresh cheese and cold cuts, and it also goes well with tasty fish dishes such as Cacciucco (= Tuscan fish soup) or seafood caponata. It’s good for extinguishing the fire of a dish of pasta “all’arrabbiata”, or a mixed grill with Piccantissima sauce, and, finally, it’s ideal for making sangria.