Bolgheri DIVINO 2024 proved to be a spectacular wine event and an exciting journey through the history, culture, and winemaking passion of a unique Tuscan terroir celebrated worldwide. The 2024 edition marked the 30th anniversary of the Consorzio DOC Bolgheri, under the diligent leadership of Albiera Antinori.
Organized by Studio Scaramuzzi of Florence, the event masterfully combined a love for Tuscan tradition with a commitment to innovation, offering participants an unforgettable evening along the majestic Viale dei Cipressi, already immortalized in the verses of the famous Italian poet and writer Giosuè Carducci.
With a table over a kilometer long among the ancient cypress trees, more than 1,200 guests from around the world experienced a unique sensory journey. The aromas of the land and the sea blended with the flavors of dishes prepared by Guido Guidi Ricevimenti, elegantly celebrating Tuscan cuisine. From the delicate scent of fresh pea velouté with herbs and crispy bread to the intense flavors of paccheri with Maremma wild boar ragout, from the amberjack "alla bolgherese" to cream ice cream with blueberries and almonds, each course was paired with the finest local wines, expertly served by the sommeliers of the Associazione Italiana Sommelier (AIS).
Bolgheri: tradition, innovation, and passion for wine
Bolgheri, naturally, in addition to being the stunning setting for events like Bolgheri Divino, is a land where history and wine innovation meet in every single hectare of soil.
It is here that the "visionary audacity" of Mario Incisa della Rocchetta envisioned a wine that could compete with the great French reds, a dream realized thanks to the winemaking genius of Giacomo Tachis: Sassicaia.
The production of Sassicaia began in the 1940s, when Incisa della Rocchetta first planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines on his Tenuta San Guido estate.
Initially, the wine was made for the family's personal consumption, and it was only in the 1960s that it began to attract wider interest. The first commercial vintage of Sassicaia was released in 1968, marking the start of its public recognition and quickly gaining fame for its quality.
The 1968 vintage received significant attention and laid the foundation for Sassicaia's reputation as one of Italy's finest wines, pioneering the "Super Tuscan" category by using international grape varieties outside the traditional Italian DOC regulations.
Silvana Ballotta, CEO of Business Strategies, present at the event, commented:
"Combine the cypresses immortalized by Carducci's poetry, the genius of the greatest winemaker of the last century, Giacomo Tachis, and the farsighted, bold vision of Mario Incisa Della Rocchetta. Add the scents of the sea, the gravelly and clayey soil in a fairytale landscape. Mix everything with love, passion, and perseverance… et voilà, Sassicaia: the first Italian thoroughbred wine. Today, Bolgheri represents a wonderful and precious wine enclave that the whole world envies."
Consorzio DOC Bolgheri: a pillar of quality and authenticity
Founded in 1995, the Consorzio DOC Bolgheri is now one of the most respected and dynamic entities in the Italian wine scene. It includes 74 associated producers, whose vineyards cover 99% of the 1,365 total hectares of the denomination. In 2023 alone, over 6.7 million bottles were produced, with Bolgheri wines like Bolgheri Superiore and Bolgheri Rosso continuing to be appreciated in international markets for their superior quality.
The beneficial influence of the Mediterranean Sea
One of the secrets behind the success of Bolgheri wines lies in its privileged position along the Tuscan coast, where the influence of the Mediterranean Sea plays a vital role. The sea breezes not only moderate the summer heat and soften the winter cold, but also help keep the vines dry, reducing the risk of fungal diseases and preserving a unique freshness in the grapes.
An unforgettable experience
Attending Bolgheri DiVino 2024 was like entering a world where every element — from the breathtaking landscapes to the refined flavors, from the stories of the producers to the uniqueness of the wines — speaks of a land devoted to excellence. Bolgheri continues to evolve and conquer the world with its authenticity, becoming a beacon on the international wine scene, creating enological masterpieces.
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