Tiamo Chianti 2023

cooked cranberries, hibiscus flowers, fresh black currants and star gazer lilies

Mel built his reputation importing French wines, but he also had amazing contacts in Italy as well. For Tiamo, he and Charlie wanted to develop a wine brand that is completely organic and has a low carbon footprint. After looking around for potential wine regions across Europe they settled on Italy because of the high number of growers working with certified organic practices. Their Chianti comes from a single estate near Montespertoli, which lies about 20 miles to the west of Florence. It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, from vineyards where no herbicides, pesticides or man-made fertilizers were used.

You will want to splash this wine in the decanter before serving and give the wine a slight chill. On the palate it is bright and crunchy, with the fruit pushing through the structure and showing some depth. This is not a wine to bury in the cellar but rather drink with lasagna, pizza or grilled sausages with peppers and onions. Drink 2023 or 2024.