# Pèppoli Chianti Classico (2023)

- **Producer:** Marchesi Antinori
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €27
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red plum, red cherry, violet, vanilla, cloves, earth

## About this wine

Pèppoli Chianti Classico is a red wine from Tuscany, Italy, produced by Marchesi Antinori. First released in 1985, it is recognized for expressing the fruit potential of Sangiovese, complemented by small additions of Merlot and Syrah. The Pèppoli estate vineyards are situated in the core Chianti Classico region, benefiting from specific soil types and exposures. Since 2013, a portion of the harvest has been processed at the Antinori nel Chianti Classico cellars. The Antinori family has a winemaking history dating back to the 14th century, representing a long-standing commitment to Tuscan viticulture and winemaking.

## Interesting facts

- First produced in 1985, Pèppoli aims to highlight Sangiovese's fruit.
- A portion of the wine is now vinified at Antinori's modern facility.
- The Antinori legacy spans over 600 years of winemaking.
- The 2023 vintage benefited from a warm, dry Tuscan summer.

## Food pairing

The wine's lively acidity and supple tannins are well-suited to cut through the richness of meat dishes and complement savory sauces. Its red fruit notes can harmonize with tomato-based dishes and earthy ingredients like mushrooms.

## Wine making process

The Pèppoli Chianti Classico is produced using grapes primarily from the Pèppoli estate vineyards. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures (26-28°C) to preserve aromatics, with maceration lasting 9-12 days for Sangiovese and up to two weeks for Merlot and Syrah, employing mechanical interventions for soft tannin extraction. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for about nine months, with a portion in large Slavonian oak casks and another in barriques and stainless steel tanks. Bottling for the 2023 vintage began in August 2024.