2023 Corzano e Paterno Chianti Terre di Corzano, Tuscany

Corzano e Paterno’s Chianti Terre di Corzano is a beautifully rustic, soulful expression of the Tuscan hills, made by a family with deep roots in both farming and artisanal tradition. This small, working farm and winery lies in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, right at the northern edge of the Chianti Classico zone, where the Pesa River cuts through limestone and clay-rich soils. The land was once part of an estate owned by the Florentine nobility, but since the 1970s it’s been lovingly transformed by the Gelpke family into a mixed organic farm producing exceptional wine, olive oil, and cheese.

Terre di Corzano is their flagship Chianti, based primarily on Sangiovese, with small additions of Canaiolo and other local varieties. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in a mix of concrete and large oak casks to preserve purity and terroir. This isn’t an internationalised, glossy Chianti. It’s earthy, energetic, and brimming with authenticity.

On the nose, expect wild cherries, dried herbs, warm terracotta, and a hint of leather. The palate is medium-bodied and firm, with red currant, sour plum and tobacco leaf, wrapped in chewy tannins and bright acidity. There’s a countryside honesty to this wine that makes it incredibly food-friendly and expressive of its place.

Pair it with a slow-cooked pork ragu, grilled sausages with fennel and beans, or aged pecorino from the estate if you can get it. Drink now with a decant or cellar up to 8 years to allow the rustic charm to deepen.