Poderi Boscarelli in Tuscany’s picturesque winemaking area of Montepulciano is a family-run winery overseen by Paola De Ferrari Corradi and her sons, Luca and Nicolò. We had the pleasure of first visiting Boscarelli in 2009 where we spent an afternoon touring the vineyards and tasting wines. The family’s generous hospitality and well-made wines sealed our appreciation for Boscarelli, an appreciation only further cemented during subsequent visits over the ensuing years. We have tasted several Boscarelli vintages releases in recent years at Anteprime Toscana in Montepulciano. Their flavor profile and consistency continue to pique our interest.
Aerial of Poderi Boscarelli. In the United States, Poderi Boscarelli is represented by Demeine Estates. The winery is open for visits by appointment. Website. www.poderiboscarelli.com
In 1962, Egidio Corradi, an international grain broker living and working in Genoa, acquired two semi-abandoned farms in Cervognano di Montepulciano. He initially intended to build a country retreat and grow grapes to make wines for the family. His daughter, Paola, and her husband, Ippolito De Ferrari, envisioned more. In the 1960s, they cultivated more vineyards and established the winery known today as Poderi Boscarelli (“little forest”)
In 1983, Ippolito was killed in a car accident. Paola took over the winery and hired Maurizio Castelli to serve as consulting enologist. Luca and Nicolò, still teenagers living in Genoa, joined their mother to work in the winery, eventually abandoning other professional aspirations to work full time with Paola to build and grow Boscarelli into a brand with global reach and distribution. It is a closely knit family business with another generation primed to step in to work with their parents.
Famiglia De Ferrari Corradi
The winery is situated 300 meters above sea level amidst large oak trees and olive groves on the northeast corner of Montepulciano. Unlike Montalcino to the west and closer to the sea, Montepulciano has a more continental climate with alluvial soils laced with blue and iron-rich red clay. The dominant grape is Sangiovese, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile. DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines must contain a minimum of 70 percent Prugnolo Gentile. Many producers aim for a higher percentage. The remaining blend, maximum 30 percent, can be other grapes approved by the Tuscany region including Cannaiolo, Colorino and Mammolo. The wines must be aged a minimum of two years in oak barrel and three years for a Vino Nobile Riserva.
In 1980 Nobile di Montepulciano became Italy’s first wine in Italy to attain Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin (DOCG) status. The wines are considered among Tuscany’s “big 3 regions,” the others being Montalcino and Chianti Classico.
In addition to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vino Nobile Riserva, Boscarelli produces some IGT wines including a floral white wine called, “Il Bianco” a blend of Viognier, Petit Manseng and small percentage of Vermentino that they plan to introduce to the United States in the near future.
Another standout is the Famille Occhio di Pernice Vinsanto DOC, an amber color, densely concentrated sweet wine made from pressed and naturally dried Sangiovese and other complementary red grapes that are left to age for at least four years in small Caratelli wood barrels that are sealed with wax. Historically the seal was in the sign of a cross to indicate the “holy wine” contents in the barrel. These Vin Santo wines are always made in limited quantity. If you have the chance to taste one, go for it! We never refer to Vin Santo- or any sweet wine- as a “dessert” wine because it also pairs beautifully with spicy dishes and savory cheeses.
Luca De Ferrari Corradi
Listen to our conversation with Boscarelli family member, Luca De Ferrari Corradi, on The Connected Table LIVE. Click link below: