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In the beginning of the 1970s, Italy’s wine came before us and those that will come after us.
culture was quite different from what we know In short, we believe that our mission is to produce
today, but the foundations were being laid out for wines that have soul, character, and identity, as well
an important change. After years during which, as a strong expression of the variety and geographical
to recover from the Second World War, farmers area from which the product originates. It is only
abandoned the countryside in favor of the city with these characteristics, clearly combined with
and many vineyards were left abandoned, wine likeability, that wine will continue to be attractive
production started to once again arouse interest, and fascinating even for new generations.
but with new objectives. Milder and more elegant
wines were produced, and classification systems You’ve stated that Tignanello is a wine
based on the inseparable link between wine and its capable of being ahead of its time: in what way?
place of origin were born: in 1963, the Controlled The idea for Tignanello emerged in the 1960s,
Designation of Origin [Denominazione di Origine at a time of profound changes in the agricultural
Controllata (DOC)] was created, and at the end of the sector, and is the result of some successful intuitions
1970s, the Controlled and Guaranteed Designation that matured after careful research in the vineyard TIGNANELLO
Tignanello is produced
of Origin [Denominazione di Origine Controllata e and travels to the world’s main wine-growing areas exclusively from the
Garantita (DOCG)]. by Marquis Piero Antinori and the then oenologist vineyard of the same
In this context, some realities stand out for their Giacomo Tachis, with the support of Émile Peynaud. name located at Tenuta
vision, lucidity and for being ahead of their time, They realized that the Chianti Classico terroir was not Tignanello on a 57-hectare
southwest-facing terrain
and for the continuous commitment to vineyards. reaching its full potential, and with this in mind, the of limestone origin with
This is the case of the Antinori family – wine first viticultural experiments began in the Tignanello tufaceous elements, at an
producers since 1385 – who in 1971 harvested, from vineyard. Tignanello, which was produced for elevation between 350
the hill with the same name in the heart of Chianti the first time with the 1971 vintage, was the first and 400 meters above sea
level, on hilly terrain rich in
Classico, the first vintage of Tignanello, presented Sangiovese aged in oak barrels, the first modern red Alberese and Galestro.
in 1974. A wine that was to become among the most wine blended with non-traditional varieties (such as
influential in Italian wine history; crafted from a Cabernet), and among the first red wines produced in
careful selection of Sangiovese, indigenous grape Chianti Classico that does not include white grapes.
variety from Tuscany, and Cabernet harvested Tignanello was a breakthrough, and contributed to
from the eponymous vineyard located on Tenuta the start of the period known as the ‘Renaissance’ of
Tignanello, in the heart of Chianti Classico, ca. 25 Italian wine. This wine represented a watershed in
kilometers south of Florence. The label had to be up the national wine scene and started the now-famous
to par. And so, designer Silvio Coppola created the ‘Super Tuscan’ movement. In this sense, it was ahead
label that, fifty years later, is still used for Tignanello. of its time.
But it was precisely because the wine industry
was undergoing great change that Tignanello was Experimentation in the cellar,
initially not understood and was classified as a experimentation in the vineyard: which one do
‘table wine’. It only took a few years, however, for you give more space to? Or do you seek a balance
the public to realize that they were dealing with between the two?
something quite different. Tignanello is one of the Vineyard and cellar are two mutually TIGNANELLO 1971
first wines to be dubbed a ‘Super Tuscan’ by the complementary areas, one must be in total harmony Tignanello’s label,
American press: unconventional Tuscan red wines with the other and in symbiosis. Our efforts, research designed by Silvio Coppola
of exceptional quality. It was the Super Tuscan wines and investments have always been concentrated in in 1974 for the release of
that highlighted the potential of Tuscan viticulture these two areas, and they are essential if we are to be the 1971 vintage, includes
“Te Duce Proficio,” the
and oenology and also promoted an evolution able to achieve ever-better quality in all our wines. historic coat of arms of the
of DOC and DOCG classifications. Protagonist You have to be able to find the balance in every respect Antinori family, and Niccolò
discussed this with Renzo Cotarella, CEO and Chief and in every area, and have a clear style to aim for. Antinori’s signature. In fact,
Winemaker at Marchesi Antinori. Production choices are then a logical consequence. Marchese Piero Antinori,
the current Honorary
President, decided to have
What does making wine at a time when Fifty years have passed since the first Tignanello his father, Niccolò Antinori,
awareness about quality drinking has increased vintage was released, and there have been many sign the Tignanello label as
entail? If we consider, for example, the generations improvements to the vines and the winemaking a symbol of gratitude for
the trust shown to him.
that meet at the table and come from different process with a view to perfecting it. The wine has At the bottom of the label,
relationships with wine drinking. not lost its innovative spirit. As oenologist Émile The ‘sun’ of Tignanello
For a company like Antinori, making wine Peynaud liked to say, quoting the words of Oscar stylized by Silvio Coppola.
primarily means respecting the generations that Wilde: “Tradition is successful innovation.”

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