# Ardore (2023)

- **Producer:** Bindella
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, black pepper, herbaceous, cloves, chocolate, cedar

## About this wine

Tenuta Vallocaia is a Tuscan estate created by Swiss restaurateur and wine enthusiast Rudi Bindella in Montepulciano. Under the direction of winemaker Giovanni Capuano and Andrea Scaccini, the estate practices meticulous plot-by-plot manual harvests to express the unique terroir of Montepulciano. Ardore, meaning ardor or passion, represents Bindella's modern Super Tuscan interpretation of classic Bordeaux varieties grown on clay-rich vineyard sites.

## Interesting facts

- The name 'Ardore' translates to 'ardor' or 'passion', reflecting the producer's passion for Super Tuscan blends.
- Tenuta Vallocaia was established by Swiss restaurateur Rudi Bindella in the heart of Montepulciano.
- The grapes are sourced from three distinct vineyard sites: Vallocaia, Camparone, and Santa Maria.

## Food pairing

Rich red meats and aged cheeses complement the velvety, structured tannins and medium-plus body of this Super Tuscan red. The wine's vibrant acidity balances rich meat fats, while ripe dark fruit and oak spices harmoniously complement savory roasted flavors.

## Wine making process

Harvested manually parcel by parcel, each grape variety undergoes separate fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 22°C to 25°C. Skin maceration lasts between 15 and 20 days. The wine ages for 12 to 16 months in French oak tonneaux followed by approximately 6 months of bottle maturation prior to release.