Maurizio Alongi
Italy
Maurizio's Wines
- Italy
- 1Â wine
- 1Â style
Passionate Tuscan winemaker fulfilling his life-long dream making top-quality Chianti Classico
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A child of Tuscany, Maurizio grew up surrounded by some of Italy’s most historic winemaking regions, like Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, so it’s no surprise he discovered his passion for the craft while he was still just at school.
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With a winemaking style inspired by his maestro Giulio Gambelli, a giant of Tuscan wine described by Maurizio as ‘the greatest Sangiovese expert of all time’, for over 30 years Maurizio has worked as an oenologist, helping other winemakers around Italy improve their wines - but his roots are very much in Chianti and in 2015 he fulfilled his life-long dream of making his very own wine there.
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Some people told Maurizio he was crazy to start a project from scratch in Chianti Classico. As one of Italy’s most historic wine regions, he knew he’d have to compete with some proper big name wineries who’d been in the region for generations. But Maurizio revels in a challenge. Putting his 3 decades’ experience to good use, in short order he’s established himself as a producer of top-quality Chianti Classico to rival any of the big boys.
Vineyard Location
Maurizio Alongi's Story
Maurizio Alongi's Story
The choice to become an oenologist was born at school, many years ago. The world of wine and oenology immediately fascinated me, and the good fortune of living in the city of Siena in the centre of important wine-growing areas (Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia San Gimignano, Nobile di Montepulciano) helped me to develop this passion.
For over 30 years, I worked as an oenologist helping others to show themselves through their wines. Although my professional background is strongly linked to Chianti, I've worked in different parts of Italy dealing with wine varieties and coming into contact with unique people. Despite these experiences, my roots are still in Siena and Gaiole in Chianti, where I live.
My deep love for Chianti and its classic wine developed over my 30 years of professional activity and it's now the base of my project, which started since January 2015.
I decided to produce a single wine, from traditional grapes from a single vineyard, to pursue an old dream, showing the extraordinary potential of my land.
Building my project from zero... In the Chianti Classico area, where there are many established historical companies, it was a great challenge.
But when I made the oak tonneaux blend of my first vintage Vigna Barbischio 2015. After tasting I felt an indescribable sensation, like a vibration, an organoleptic jolt in my palate.... that strongly convinced me of the quality of my wine.
My winemaking style was inspired by my Maestro Giulio Gambelli, the greatest Sangiovese expert of all time, whom I had the good fortune to meet and frequent many years ago. I Work by subtraction, meaning try to harvest grapes in a perfect state of ripeness (NOT overripe) and macerate them gently in the cellar.
In spring/summer I go to the vineyard early in the morning (5.30/6) and do some manual work if necessary. Then I start my work as an oenologist touring wineries, tasting wines and making technical suggestions to my companies. In autumn/winter I spend almost all my time touring wineries.
I currently make wine in a winery of a friend of mine. The dream is to have a mini winery in Gaiole in ChiantiI decided to work with Naked Wine after talking to other winemakers who have been collaborating on this project for years. I immediately understood the seriousness, enthusiasm and desire to sell and communicate wine in a different way.
Outside of winemaking I'm passionate about culture, gastronomy, history. Then like every Italian man football... And my family, my son Leonardo, who is 22 years old is graduating in oenology.
