# Syrah Toscana (2016)

- **Producer:** Azienda Agricola Brancatelli
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Syrah
- **Region:** Toscana, Italy
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** ripe cherry, black cherry, spice, currant, blackberry, balsamic, coffee, chocolate, smoke, meat

## About this wine

The Brancatelli Syrah Toscana 2016 is a single-varietal Syrah from the Toscana IGT appellation, produced by Azienda Agricola Brancatelli in the Val di Cornia sub-region of Tuscany. Giuseppe Brancatelli, guided by enologist Graziana Grassini, crafts this wine from grapes grown on a one-hectare organic vineyard situated close to the Mediterranean Sea. The estate is a family-run operation with a philosophy focused on producing elegant, pure, and flavorful organic wines. The 2016 vintage in Tuscany experienced cooler, wetter conditions during the early growing season, which influenced grape quality.

## Interesting facts

- Grown on a single hectare vineyard, less than a mile from the sea.
- Certified organic farming practices are employed.
- Native yeasts are used for fermentation.
- The wine is vegan-friendly.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus body and firm tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of proteins like beef and lamb, helping to cut through fat. Savory notes in the wine can echo herbaceous elements in dishes, while hints of spice and dark fruit can harmonize with roasted meats and game.

## Wine making process

The Brancatelli Syrah Toscana 2016 is produced from hand-harvested Syrah grapes. Vinification involves soft destemming and pressing, followed by fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 15-20 days using native yeasts. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. The wine then undergoes 18 months of aging in French oak barrels, with 30% new oak, followed by time in stainless steel tanks and a final 6 months of bottle aging. Approximately 6,000 bottles are produced annually.