Maurizio Alongi
Italy
Maurizio's Wines
- Italy
- 1 wine
- 1 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.
Maurizio's Activity
Fabulous
Ciao Maurizio! Hi from Maremma.. Marco & Moreno
Delicious! Light, tasty. Worth every penny!
My wishlist was becoming unmanageably large, so I really had to press the green button.
New vintage wines from my winemakers:
i-Latina La Armonia Vineyard Syrah 2019
i-Latina La Rabicana Vineyard Carmenere 2019
Boschkloof Merlot 2021
Cordero Gavi 2022
Cordero Barolo DOCG 2019
Next, three returning vintages of old favourites:
Simpsons of Servian Low Yield Roussanne 2021
Troupis Route Gris Moschofilero 2022
Mischief and Mayhem Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Bas Liards 2020
Wines new to me:
Sam makes great Shiraz, and his single vineyard ones are always rather special, so I have to try Sam Plunkett 1919 Plantings Shiraz 2021
What can I say about this next one? I had the pleasure of meeting Jean Marc a couple of times. Great bloke, great loss. Au Revoir Monsieur Jones 2022.
I’ve always enjoyed Sangiovese, so both the Tornesi Brunello di Montalcino 2017 and the Vigna Barbischio Chianti Classico Riserva Organic 2020 were obvious choices.
Finally, having recently enjoyed the 2021 vintage, when the Breaking Grounds Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022 appeared as my free bottle it was clearly meant to be.
Ordered Saturday, delivered Monday. A great effort all round.
Cheers!
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(latest reply 1 year ago)
Katie Jones
Winemaker
Hello John, thank you for includng my wine, and thank you for your kind comment -Katie 🍷
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1 year ago
Josh Pfeiffer
Winemaker
Fantastic! I hope you enjoy the 2022 just as much as you enjoyed the 2021, John 🍷
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1 year ago
Cherry notes are a little sour
Lovely
Lovely stuff! Another top wine from the region!
Maurizio, we are on holiday and staying in Volterra. Would it be possible to arrange a visit to your vineyard?
Regards
Peter Field
Disappointed
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(latest reply 2 years ago)
Maurizio Alongi
Winemaker
I am sorry that it was not liked... Thank you for your comment.
