| Isn't
the wine market saturated: Isn't there saturation
of wine and actually a glut in the world market? 'It is
hard to explain. There is surplus of wine. But my competitors
are not from Australia, Chile or the other New World.
We have to compete with other Italian producers.
Tuscan lunch with the Baron and Wine:
Talking of the restaurant, the family owns one, about
300 meters climbing walk away. We take the short walk
with Francesco who is giving us the background of the
Castle,
The restaurant serves Tuscan cuisine with the supplies
coming in from the best local vendor in each category.
Baron is so proud of the vendors that each has been
showcased in the Menu full of simple, mouth-watering
Tuscan dishes at fairly reasonable prices. 'This is
part of our philosophy of giving the full experience
of our estate. Our experience is with wine only which
is part of food.'
 |
| Barone Francesco Ricasoli-outside
his restaurant |
Is the restaurant a profit center? 'Not
really,' tells Francesco over the delicious tagliatelle
with ragu made of veal ,beef, rabbit, chicken, and liver,
that is married so perfectly with the Castello di Brolio
Chianti Classico '03. 'We are quite busy during the
day but nights are difficult for us. We'd be lucky if
we break even. But we feel it is an important part of
our business and that is why we are managing it ourselves.'
Chianti Classico is a great wine for pastas-most of
the times. The Barone is magnanimous enough to agree
with my suggestion that 'Pici'- Tuscan home spun spaghetti
with lots of tomatoes and strongly herbed is not matched
with the Classico. The acid is too sharp and the herbs
have such strong but pleasant aromas, leaving no chance
for anything else to interfere with the 'nose'.
Barring our group, it looked like 'American' was the
official language spoken in the restaurant full of tourists.
Agriturismo not the core business:
'We do not like to indulge in agriturismo like many
other wineries do because I believe we are not in this
business. We were doing it earlier but gave it up as
it was not a part of our core business. This (restaurant)
is part of the global image –microcosm, if you
will,' says the Baron.
Castello di Brolio- the castle: Taking
us for a walk through the old castle which has a beautiful
chapel of its own, he shows us the beautiful gardens
and an eye-pleasing expanse of his vineyards all around
and his winery. The beautiful sunny day ordered just
for us lets us have a clear view of the two Towers of
Siena, the hills of Montalcino, Val d'Orcia.
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