Antinori

History

Antinori's history dates back to 1385, making them one of the oldest family-owned wine producers in the world. In 2016, Albiera Antinori took over the director's chair for Marchesi Antinori from her father, Piero Antinori, becoming the 27th generation to continue the family business in close collaboration with her sisters Allegra and Alessia.

To understand the story of Antinori's cult status, we need to go back to the 1960s, a period in Italy's wine history marked by significant changes. The sharecropping system, where landowners and workers shared costs and crops from the harvest, was finally abolished, placing new demands on landowners' vision and management for their wine production. Simultaneously, there was a rebellion against adhering to the strict Italian laws for production and grape composition to achieve DOC and DOCG status. Many producers wanted more freedom to experiment and did not want to be constrained by the old rules. Piero Antinori was ready to break the norms and pave the way for a new generation of wines. Having just returned from abroad, Piero was filled with inspiration (from, among others, Robert Mondavi) and a desire for change. Piero had allied himself with Emile Peynaud, a professor at Bordeaux University, who suggested reducing the amount of green grapes in the red Tuscan wines and introducing aging in barriques.

A Legend is Born

In 1971, Tignanello was created – Antinori's first Super Tuscan. In the early vintages, the innovation lay in the use of barriques (225-liter French oak barrels), and only later were green grape varieties excluded from the blend. In 1982, the ideal (and subsequently preferred) grape composition was found, namely 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cabernet Franc.

Although the first vintage of Tignanello initially faced controversy for breaking Italian wine rules, it soon became a great success and was recognized as a pioneer in the "Supertuscan" movement. The wine combined the traditional Tuscan grape variety Sangiovese with international grape varieties, resulting in a deep, complex, and elegant wine. The Supertuscan wave quickly gained momentum, and Piero Antinori's focus on innovation bore fruit. In the following decades, Tignanello continued to be produced with a strong emphasis on quality, gaining recognition in both Italy and internationally and contributing to the promotion of Supertuscans as some of the best and most popular wines in the world.

In 1978, Antinori launched the wine Solaia, initially a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but later Sangiovese was also added to the blend.

Tignanello is still a highly sought-after wine today and has become an iconic representative of the more modern and innovative mindset that has shaped the Italian wine world in the 20th century. Today, more than 300,000 bottles of Tignanello are produced annually, but despite that, demand continues to outpace supply.

Antinori's Top Wines

• Tignanello: Tignanello is undoubtedly one of Antinori's most famous wines. This iconic Supertuscan is known for its remarkable balance between Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc grapes. The result is a deep, complex wine with an intense ruby red color and aromas of ripe fruits and spices. The taste is full and elegant with well-balanced tannins.

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• Guado al Tasso: Guado al Tasso is another magnificent wine from Antinori, representing strength and harmony at its best. It is primarily made from Cabernet Sauvignon and has an intense, dark color. The aroma is filled with notes of blackberries, black currants, and spices. The taste is rich and full-bodied with soft tannins and a long finish.

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• Solaia: Solaia exudes noble elegance. It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc, boasting a deep ruby red color. The aroma is complex with notes of ripe cherries, balsamic, and vanilla. The taste is full and well-structured with silky tannins and a long, persistent finish. Solaia symbolizes Antinori's ability to create wines with exceptional finesse.

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• Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva: This wine pays homage to Antinori's roots in Tuscany. Made from Sangiovese grapes, it has a clear ruby red color. The aroma offers fruity notes of cherries and raspberries with subtle spices. The taste is fresh and well-balanced with soft tannins and a pleasant finish.