# Solco Toscana Appassimento (2024)

- **Producer:** Tenute Piccini
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €12
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 18–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackberry, plum, dried fig, prune

## About this wine

Piccini was founded in 1882 by Angiolo Piccini in Castellina in Chianti, Tuscany, and has grown into a renowned family-owned Italian producer under fourth-generation leadership. The name Solco translates to furrow in Italian, symbolizing the path laid by over 140 years of winemaking heritage while embracing modern viticultural approaches. Produced under the Toscana IGT designation, this cuvée combines Tuscan Sangiovese with international varieties to create a distinctive expression of Tuscan terroir.

## Interesting facts

- The name Solco translates to furrow, honoring over 140 years of Piccini family winemaking traditions in Tuscany.
- It adapts the famous Northern Italian appassimento grape-drying technique to Tuscan grape varieties and hillside terroir.
- This vintage received a top 99-point rating from Italian wine critic Luca Maroni.

## Food pairing

Rich red wines crafted with appassimento dried grapes feature concentrated fruit depth and velvety structure that match savory, hearty dishes. The balance of acidity and smooth tannins cuts through rich fats in roasted meats and slow-cooked ragùs, while aged hard cheeses harmonize with the opulent fruit warmth.

## Wine making process

The production of Solco utilizes a leggero appassimento technique, involving a light drying of the grapes after harvest. This natural process evaporates water content to concentrate natural sugars, color, and aromatic precursors. Following soft pressing and skin maceration, primary fermentation occurs under temperature control in stainless steel vats. The wine undergoes maturation in stainless steel tanks and bottle refinement without oak intervention to preserve fruit purity.