# Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG (2021)

- **Producer:** Marchesi Mazzei
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Colorino, Malvasia Nera
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, violet, red plum, black cherry, black plum, cedar, cloves, vanilla, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG is the flagship wine of Marchesi Mazzei, a family with over 600 years of winemaking history. Produced in Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, it is crafted primarily from Sangiovese, with contributions from Colorino and Malvasia Nera. The wine represents the estate's diverse vineyards, situated at varying altitudes on limestone-rich soils. The 2021 vintage benefited from specific weather patterns that enhanced the grapes' structure and freshness. Fonterutoli is considered the 'younger brother' to Castello Fonterutoli, serving as a benchmark for the Chianti Classico category.

## Interesting facts

- The Mazzei family has been making wine for over 600 years.
- Fonterutoli is Marchesi Mazzei's best-selling wine.
- The estate vineyards are spread across 120 different plots.
- The 2021 vintage saw ample production of 290,000 bottles.

## Food pairing

The wine's firm acidity and polished tannins are well-suited to cut through the richness of meats and complement their protein content. Earthy notes in the wine can harmonize with truffle or mushroom dishes, while tomato-based sauces find a natural partner in the wine's bright acidity.

## Wine making process

Fonterutoli Chianti Classico DOCG is produced using traditional methods with meticulous attention to detail. Grapes are harvested manually and fermented separately in temperature-controlled tanks for 14-18 days. Maceration is also conducted over this period. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for 12 to 20 months in French oak barrels, with a portion of new oak used. Further aging occurs in concrete tanks for four months to achieve balance. The wine is then aged in glass before its release to the market.