BOLLA 2003 CHIANTI DOCG

Introduction

Bolla is most likely the most well known company I have written about so far. Back in the 1980’s when I lived in New Orleans, I discovered Bolla Valpolicella . It was my favorite wine for several years (and I still enjoy it). After not having drunk any Chianti wines for several years (I think I may have thought it was too dry), I tried some about 2 or 3 years ago and did like it. A few months ago, I tried the Bolla variety and was very pleased. That is why I decided to include it among the first few wines to be discussed on the blog.

Wine Impressions

For many, Chianti is the first thought that comes into their head upon hearing the phrase “Italian wine.” I very much enjoy the Bolla Chianti because, to me at least, it tastes slightly “wetter” and more fruity than most Chianti. It also has a rich pleasant color and aroma. While I vary the selection when I buy my six 1.5 liter bottles at a time, more often than not a Bolla Chianti in among the six bottles in my shopping cart.

At this point, for a neophyte like myself, I find that the DOCG label obviously does mean something. I find this to be an excellent quality wine at a very reasonable price. I believe I usually pay about $12.99 for a 1.5-liter bottle.

The yellow label on the bottle stands out from the generally darker labels on the other Bolla wines. The natural cork and the cool “DOCG” seal around the neck of the bottle add to the enjoyable experience of this wine. However, in case I have not already made it clear, the real star is inside the bottle.

As a DOCG wine, the Bolla Chianti grapes are hand-picked in the Siena area of the Chianti area. The Chianti profile on the company web site indicates that the grapes are harvested when they are completely ripe, then crushed and fermented in stainless steel tanks at 77-86 degrees for 10-12 days. It then goes through its full fermentation to reduce acidity and harsh tannins and to create full-bodied flavor. The grapes for the 2003 Chianti were picked in late September and October 2003, bottled in April 2004 and released in mid-June 2004.

The grapes consist of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Canaio;o and other indigenous varietals. About 120,000 cases were produced.

The Company: Bolla

The company’s web site includes a timeline going back to 1000 BCE which it states is when “Etruscans first vinify wild grapes for wine.” The timeline also includes such historic events as the start of construction of the Coliseum, Galileo inventing the telescope, etc. It then mentions that Abele Bolla opened an inn called Al Gambero in the town of Soave. The wine he serves is very good and becomes well known and much requested. His three sons spread the Bolla name to Soave, Valpolicella and Venice.

The company won a gold medal at the Bologna Fair in 1909. In 1935, Abele’s grandchildren joined the business and the company began packaging the wine in bottles instead of jugs. The first shipment of Bolla wine to the U.S. was in 1947 – 200 cases of Bardolino. In 1953, Bolla was the first to label and market Amarone in Italy and in 1957 it was the first to market it in the U.S. and the world. [Note: this was the first I had heard of Amarone. I plan to add it to the list of wines to feature here soon].

Supposedly, in the 1950’s, Frank Sinatra left a restaurant because it did not serve Bolla Soave. The restaurant quickly located a bottle and Sinatra was convinced to return.

From 1969 to 1980 more family members joined the company and the Sergio Bolla foundation was formed to foster viticulture development in the Veneto region. Club Bolla brought together more than 400 grape farmers to share findings on viticulture.

The web site says that the soul of the Bolla family continues in the companies vineyards. I assume this means that the company has been sold, but it is not clear.

The Bolla name has been prominent in the Veneto region of Italy for more than a century.

The Regions: Veneto and Chianti

Bolla is located in the Veneto region of Italy. This is the northeast area of the country. The largest city is Venice with a population of about 70,000 in the main city and a total of about 272,000 (according to Wikipedia) including the surrounding dry land. I don’t need to say any more about Venice.

Bolla is located in the second largest city of Veneto: Verona. If you are a fan of Shakespeare (or even if you are not!) you may recognize the city as the setting for “Romeo and Juliet.” Though earlier versions of the story are set in Siena, Verona is the setting of Shakespeare’s play.

Verona hosts many beautiful cathedrals and museums. Julius Caesar used to vacation there. One of its most fascinating features is its arena. Just slightly smaller than the Coliseum in Rome, the Arena of Verona was built around 30 CE. According to Wikipedia, it is the third largest Roman arena in Italy after the Coliseum and the arena at Capua. Unlike the Coliseum, it is still used for performances such as fairs, theater and open air opera on summer nights.

The grapes for Bolla’s Chianti are grown in Siena area of the Chianti DOCG region, near Chianti Classico. Siena is part of the region of Tuscany. Florence and Pisa are other well-known cities of the region. Siena has a population of about 55,000.

Like Florence, Siena has an important history as a center of art and was a fierce rival of Florence in the 13th and 14th centuries. However, it was devastated by the Black Plague of 1348 and never returned to its former glory (See Wikipedia). One thing I found of interest to me: the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall) of Siena has a mural called “Good Government” by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. It is called in Wikipedia a magnificent example of late medieval/early Renaissance art as well as a representation of a utopian urban society. That;s my kind of art! Good government and urban utopia! When in Italy recently, we had planned to take a side trip to Pisa while visiting Florence. My cousin (who lives in Rome) suggested we visit Siena since it is more beautiful than Pisa. We ended up going to neither, but the mural would have tipped my vote to Siena!