Querciavalle, Azienda Figli Illi Losi

The "Chianti Classico" product of the Azienda F.lli Losi (Losi Brothers) has its origin a very long time ago in the small production of an artisan winemaker, who nourished the particular vineyards that extend on the slope of the hills of Pontignano in the zone of Vagliagli near Siena in the Castelnuovo di Berardenga zone of Chianti Classico. Happily this land was exposed in such a manner to absorb all the benefit and influences of the warmth and energy of the sun. The Azienda "Querciavalle", a family of Chianti makers since 1870, produce the Chianti Classico and also the Riserva, the Rosso of the Colli della Toscana Centrale denomination "Armonia" and a Vin Santo. In fact when these estates were denominated "Querciavalle" they took the actual name of the product which has been chosen by a commission of experts in the region as the "Vino Chianti Classico of the League of Chianti". In 1974 *Cavaliere Tranquilo Losi, a distinguished member of the Losi family and an intelligent man with a passionate love of his wine, initiated a more contempory system of production. Thus began the first bottles labelled with the characteristic label that we see today in the most prestigious wine shops and restaurants. The children and grandchildren of the hard-working head of the family continue the work of their ancestors with passion and love, and have taken the wine to a truly optimum level. The complete process of the vinification of this wine has many phases which continues today, based on the most genuine traditional Tuscan Governo style, Toscano Governo. Querciavalle is a Governo style Chianti Classico in its purest form. In this type of winemaking a small amount of unfermented must from dried grapes is added to the new wine, causing a slight secondary fermentation that is said to add freshness. All the Losi-Querciavalle products are produced with the maximum winemaking integrity that has been a well established tradition in the Losi family for more than 100 years, without compromise, and solely on wines of ultimate quality and authenticity shown in the history of century old experience. These wines have been a constant recipient of merits and awards by the knowledgeable wine drinking trade. They have the unquestionable, intense, intriguing richness of a true Chianti Classico, with a rich, red garnet color and an intense ethereal bouquet of earth, berries, and a distant aroma of wild violets.
*The title Cavaliere is bestowed on only those that show a high degree of excellence in their profession.

Querciavalle Chiantis, Armonia and Vin Santo


Chianti Classico
This wine comes from a blend of the characteristic red Tuscan grapes of Sangiovese and Canaiolo Tuscano. The grapes are hand harvested, fermented, and gently pressed to produce the traditional hand-made wines that the Losi's are famous for, characterized by their intense intriguing richness and spicy aromas.


Chianti Classico Riserva
This wine is aged in Slavonic oak barrels for a period of between 24 - 28 months. It is then bottled and gets a further 6 - 8 months aging. The wine gets lighter in color as it bottle-ages, going from a deep ruby red to a pomegranate color. It has a dry vigorous, intense taste with fruit and vanilla nuances. An excellent accompaniment for savory dishes and cheeses, red meats and game. We recommend decanting these wines for a time before serving at room temperature.


Armonia
This wine is obtained from a scrupulous and particular selection of the Tuscan Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes which are products of the select 40 year old vines on the Losi-Querciavalle Estate. The percentages of grape that this wine is composed of are 90 - 95% Tuscan Sangiovese and 5 - 10% Tuscan Canaiolo. The cycle of vinification of these grapes gets stopped to prolong the period of contact with the skins and must. Then, after separating the wine from the lees (dregs) the period of initiating maturation begins, first in French Barrique and then in small Slavonic Oak barrels. After the wood maturation, the wine is then bottled and left for a brief period to rest in the bottle for further refinement. The actual periods of maturation in both the barrique and the bottles is difficult to say because it varies with each production, since the characteristics of the grapes are so diverse. The color is an intense ruby red with granite reflections. The aroma is intense with a hint of vanilla and spice, a full, smooth flavor and elegant structure. The flavor of this wine is so aristocratic it is an indispensible accompaniment to any lunch or important dinner. To appreciate all of the superb qualities of Armonia, we recommend decanting for two hours and serving at room temperature.


Vin Santo Toscano
This is a typical Italian white dessert wine that is made from specially selected grapes of Chianti Malvasia and Toscano Trebbiano. The grapes are left to dry on mats until as late as the last part of November, They are then pressed and the "must" obtained after this pressing is aged in small oak kegs for at least five years. Vinsanto has an intense yellow amber color, a subtle, yet vivacious aroma which is reminiscent of bitter almond. The taste is graceful, fruity and sweet. A fine compliment to any desert.