Keeper Collection #SommChat Guest #BrandAmbassador Veronica Lagi

5/18 Brand Ambassador Veronica Lagi of Castello di Monsanto

@castelmonsanto

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: In today's #SommChat we'll chat with #BrandAmbassador Veronica from @castelmonsanto about #wine! Join us at 12N ET & remember to #SommChat!

Drew Gourdie @drewbie_g: Online & tuning in! Happy #WineWednesday ! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Our thoughts go out to the #winemakers in #Chablis who got further weather damage from recent hail #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: only 30 mins until we talk w/ @castelmonsanto #BrandAmbassador Veronica abt #Wine on #SommChat 2day 12N ET !

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @StephanieMiskew so glad you can join in on #SommChat today with @castelmonsanto lots to learn #Chianti #Italy

Stephanie Miskew CSW @StephanieMiskew: Looking forward to it! #SommChat #wine #WineWednesday

Sassodoro @Sassodoro: @keepercoll @castelmonsanto @MattMcGinnis @Winochic @wendycrispell @alawine @i_on_food_drink Happy #SommChat #WW!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Welcome 2 #SommChat every1! Tell UR friends 2 join us 2 hear abt #wine w/ @castelmonsanto #BrandAmbassador Veronica 12N ET!

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: We’d like 2 introduce you to @castelmonsanto #BrandAmbassador Veronica #SommChat #WW

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Abt ready 2 dive in w/ ?s, so S/O 2 Veronica @castelmonsanto 2 say hello & so she knows UR here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Don't forget that EVERY tweet during this chat should include the #SommChat hashtag in order 4 every1 2 C see it! #WineWednesday

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: As we ask #BrandAmbassador @castelmonsanto our Qs, you can ask her Ur Qs as well! She’ll do her best 2 answer all Qs in order #SommChat #WW

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: W/so many participants gr8 Q's R asked! Even if u dont ask 1, S/O 2 @keepercoll & @castelmonsanto 2 let us know u R here! #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Let's start talking #Wine with #BrandAmbassador Veronica @castelmonsanto #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: Thx @keepercoll and all of U 4 joining #SommChat glad to satisfy UR curiosity about @castelmonsanto #wines #Chianti #Italy

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr @joecampanale @castelmonsanto How do you feel about the new Gran Selezione system? Will you be participating? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale @keepercoll Gran Selezione is GR8 opportunity, not well used enough now. #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto:@joecampanale @keepercoll Gran Selezione is too generic production requirements don't define #wines with a unique style #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale @keepercoll This is why so far @castelmonsanto is keeping Il Poggio as Riserva as has always been rather than Gran Selezione #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto What makes Il Poggio so special? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll 1st single vineyard CCR ever prod., soil, exposure, strict grapes selection give the best of our terroir since 1962 #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto When did the Bianchi family start making wines in the Chianti Classico area? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto:@keepercoll They bought 1st part of estate of Monsanto N 1961 & started producing #wine w/ the label Castello di Monsanto in 1962. #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @keepercoll - Do you think general quality of Chianti improved since rule to blend in white grapes has been lifted? - #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove I do think Quality increased in #Chianti Classico & Monsanto was 1st 2 eliminate white grapes prior to DOCG requirements #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @keepercoll - Is Monsanto your family name? Sadly, "Monsanto" has a different, more negative connotation in U.S. right now - #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove Monsanto is the name of the area where the Estate is located #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto What does the cellar look like? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll highlight of our cellars is a tunnel 900 feet long, bringing to the old caves from 18th century, where our wine library is resting #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto what are some #trends you’re seeing in the Ciante Classico zone? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll after the trend of producing more concentrated and international style wines, I see now a wish to rediscover traditional style in Ciante Classico zone #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr @joecampanale @castelmonsanto How do you feel about a cru system in #Chianti Classico? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale @keepercoll I would feel very well abt it but practically it would be quite difficult at this time #SommChat

WineCompass @winecompass: @castelmonsanto what are your largest markets domestic and international? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @winecompass we export abt 80% of production w/ #US as the largest export mkt In #US #Illinois is #1 mkt & then #NY & #California #SommChat

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @keepercoll - What is the oldest wine from Monsanto that you have tasted? What do you remember about it? - #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove I tasted 1962 once, very oldest vintage! Unique experience, amazing how the #wine is still keeping freshness & perfumes #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove in 2012 spc occasion to celebrate 50th anniv of winery, the '62 Il Poggio-gr8 acidity on palate & nose -earth & leather #SommChat

WineCompass @winecompass:@castelmonsanto @demilove does the longevity result from acids, tannins, oak treatment? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto:@winecompass Our terroir gives gr8 acidity & tannins 2 allow 4 longevity, have chged Oak several times but longevity did not chg #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto Tell us about your #winemaking team #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll 3 people are involved: owner Fabrizio Bianchi, his daughter Laura & #winemaker Andrea Giovannini, previously working at Ornellaia #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto How has Andrea Giovannini influenced the #winemaking? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll Andrea joined Monsanto in 2001. He didn't try to change Monsanto style, rather helps our terroir expressing consistently its potential #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: q fr @joecampanale Do you think its important to promote to the various subzones of #Chianti Classico? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale @keepercoll I do think so b/c #Chianti Classico varies in terroir throughout the subzones. #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale I hope Ciante Classico appellation is going toward "zonation", defining subareas with specific geographical and soil similarities #SommChat

Stephanie Miskew CSW @StephanieMiskew: @castemonsanto How do u balance promotion of classic #Sangiovese wines & those feat international varieties like Cab Sauv in US? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @StephanieMiskew at our #winery we believe in showing true expression of the territory and the terroir #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @StephanieMiskew As an example of true expression, with Il Poggio we were the 1st to produce a single vineyard CCR #SommChat

Stephanie Miskew CSW @StephanieMiskew @castelmonsanto Very notable distinctions - I was just wondering in the context of your IGT wines as well:) #SommChat @keepercoll

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto @StephanieMiskew we strive with all of our #wines to express the terrior and that is the same for our IGT #wines #SommChat

ormiga @ormiga: unfortunate association monsanto ;) where @castelmonsanto located #SommChat @StephanieMiskew @keepercoll? characteristics?

ormiga @ormiga: i often ask any effects #climatechange noticeable say past 10yrs? @castelmonsanto @StephanieMiskew @keepercoll expt #organic? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @ormiga Weather changes are a huge issue in #Winemaking. In #Italy it will likely make #wines more concentrated and higher alcohol #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto Does Castello di Monsanto practice organic farming? Why/why not?

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll: We practice so called "lotta integrata", using chemical products exclusively in case of emergency & real need (weather or parasites) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto Why is Castello di Monsanto often referred to as a pioneer of the category? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll among first wineries believing N high quality potential of Sangiovese, producing cru wines,no white grapes fr Ciante Classico blend #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q fr #SommChat #Somm - can you tell us about 2015 vintage in #Chianti for @castelmonsanto

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll '15 gr8 vintage N #Chianti Classico well balanced weather bal of rain & sun, harvest helped by a few showers at times #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Q from @joecampanale What do you think is the biggest impediment to people understanding #Chianti Classico terroir? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale not everybody knows how much #ChiantiClassico has improved overall from past impressions #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale producers should work together in #Chianticlassico to communicate of the quality of the appellation #SommChat

Stephanie Miskew CSW @StephanieMiskew: @castelmonsanto @joecampanale So true!!! These are some of our fave wines - love introducing them to my clients! #SommChat @keepercoll

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto @StephanieMiskew so glad that you understand and appreciate our job and what we do - most of all we want to bring pleasure #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto How long can CCR age? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll It always depends of vintages, but a Monsanto CCR can on average age without any problem for 15/20 years #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto @keepercoll single vineyard Il Poggio is showing great even after 50 years #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto What are your favorite Tuscan white wines?

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll I love Vermentino from the Tuscan coast and of course...Monsanto Chardonnay..! ;-) #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: @castelmonsanto Other than Sangiovese, what’s your favorite varietal? #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercollI need to say at least 3...! Pinot noir, Nebbiolo and Sauvignon blanc

Douglas Trapasso @demilove: @keepercoll - What are some of your favorite food pairings w/your wines - anything that might not come to mind initially? - #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove #meat, #steak and #game in particular, aged #cheese, can be gr8 w/ #pizza & #Pasta too!!! #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @demilove Also pairs well with fish soup with tomatoes b/c of the acidity of the #wines #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: q from @joecampanale What is a new innovation in winemaking you're excited about? @castelmonsanto #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto q fr @joecampanale What is a new innovation in winemaking UR excited abt? @castelmonsanto #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @joecampanale Like we did w/ Il Poggio in 2005, we R gradually reducing oak usage in CCR #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Time to wrap up! Hope U enjoyed talking #Wine w/ #BrandAmbassador Veronica @castelmonsanto on #SommChat

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Great to have Veronica @castelmonsanto join us today for #SommChat. We hope everyone learned as much as we did! #WW

KeeperCollection @keepercoll: Please join us in thanking Veronica @castelmonsanto for her time on #SommChat

Castello di Monsanto @castelmonsanto: @keepercoll gr8 to meet you all on #SommChat on #twitter but most of all we hope U will come to visit us and see what we talk abt in person

Suzie Kukaj @SuzieKukaj: Thank you @keepercoll for hosting @castelmonsanto on today's #SommChat. #iheartCastelloMonsanto pic.twitter.com/MPj1OC7Rt7