White from Empolese

Bianco dell'Empolese denomination: history, characteristics, and food pairings

Learn all about the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination: its history, its sensory characteristics, and its ideal food pairings. A high-quality white wine that epitomizes the Empoli area.

The Bianco dell'Empolese denomination is a white wine produced in the province of Florence, in the Chianti region, which also includes the Empoli area. The production area of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination extends over approximately 2,000 hectares of vineyards and includes the municipalities of Vinci, Cerreto Guidi, Montelupo Fiorentino, Capraia e Limite, Lastra a Signa, Empoli, and Fucecchio.

The Bianco dell'Empolese Denomination wine is produced with various grape varieties, including Trebbiano, Malvasia, and Vermentino. The result is a white wine with great personality and a unique flavor, perfectly expressing the distinctive features of the Empoli terroir.

In this article, we will delve into the history, characteristics, and food pairings of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination.

History of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination

Wine production in the Empoli area dates back to Etruscan times. In the Middle Ages, the Via Francigena, the road connecting Northern Europe to Rome, ran through the Empoli area. Vineyards were cultivated and wine was produced along this route.

In 1969, the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination was recognized by the Italian state as a DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) wine and subsequently, in 2011, it was recognized as a DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin) wine, the highest recognition for an Italian wine.

Characteristics of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination

The Bianco dell'Empolese Denomination wine is characterized by a straw yellow color with greenish highlights. On the nose, it offers aromas of white flowers, white-fleshed fruit, and citrus. On the palate, it is fresh, savory, and persistent, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

The production of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination is regulated by a production specification that provides for the use of Trebbiano toscano and/or Malvasia bianca toscano grapes, in a quantity of no less than 50%, and other white grapes, including Vermentino, up to a maximum of 50%.

The production of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination requires a minimum aging of 3 months in the bottle and a minimum alcohol content of 11.5%.

Food pairings

The Denominazione Bianco dell'Empolese wine is perfect for pairing with fish and shellfish dishes, thanks to its freshness and flavor. It also pairs ideally with vegetable-based dishes, such as zucchini, artichokes, or broad beans.

The Bianco dell'Empolese denomination pairs perfectly with traditional Tuscan dishes, such as ribollita or pappa al pomodoro, but also with fresh pasta dishes, such as ricotta and spinach ravioli or tortello alla lastra.

Empoli white wine can also enhance the intense, bold flavors of aged cheeses, such as Tuscan pecorino or Parmigiano Reggiano.

The Bianco dell'Empolese denomination can also be enjoyed as an aperitif, perhaps accompanied by crostini with black olive pâté.

Organoleptic characteristics of the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination

The Bianco dell'Empolese denomination is a white wine with a straw-yellow color and greenish highlights. On the nose, it offers aromas of white flowers, white-fleshed fruit, and citrus. On the palate, it is fresh, savory, and persistent, with a slightly bitter aftertaste.

The organoleptic characteristics of the Bianco dell'Empolese Denomination are the result of the particular geological conformation of the Empoli area, characterised by the presence of clayey and calcareous soils.

The vines are grown at an altitude of approximately 50-100 meters above sea level, in soils particularly suited to grape growing. The grapes are typically harvested in September.

Interesting facts about the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination

The Denominazione Bianco dell'Empolese wine has also been the focus of an art exhibition. In 2007, Tuscan artist Francesco Clemente presented his work "Empoli," dedicated to the wine's production area. The exhibition, held at the Gagosian Gallery in New York, was accompanied by a tasting of Denominazione Bianco dell'Empolese wine.

Conclusions

The Bianco dell'Empolese denomination is a white wine with a strong personality, a unique flavor and distinctive organoleptic characteristics, which perfectly expresses the Empoli terroir. It is a versatile wine, suitable for a variety of food pairings, from fish and vegetables to aged cheeses.

Discovering the Bianco dell'Empolese denomination means immersing yourself in the history and culture of Tuscany, appreciating the great quality of the wine and the craftsmanship of local producers, who have been cultivating vines and producing highly prized wines for centuries.