Red Blend, 2018. Bere

Bere, which means "to drink" in Italian, is made from the vineyards of Tenuta Ladronaia, located in the craggy Tuscan hills of the Upper Maremma. This appellation is one of the least known in Italy, yet its borders hold several of the most sought-after wines in the country, Sassicaia and Ornellaia. They fetch upwards of $200 a bottle on release.

Mountain ranges are great places to grow grapes. The high altitude makes the sun brighter and the temperatures cooler. The seismic occurrence which creates mountains is an eruption beneath the surface dispatching rocks and lava throughout. What is so helpful here is that the earth beneath the vines has literally very little soil. The rocks are perfect drainage for the vines so they can't absorb too much water. This produces smaller and more intense berries from which very intense wines are made. The topography of Maremma is very similar to Bordeaux, which is why Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are widely planted here. Our blend is equal parts of those grapes as well as an equal part of Sangiovese, the classic grape of Chianti. Winemakers have come here in droves since the early 70s in the hopes of making wines that can compare with Bordeaux. Many have succeeded.

Our selection is a classic blend of these three grapes. The spice and earthiness of the Sangiovese pairs perfectly with the brash fruit of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the soft tannins of the Merlot. Together they form an alliance featuring black cherry, plum, and anise which begs for wild boar pasta or a charred rib eye.

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