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My Article: A Tuscan Winemaker Explains His Dream

Thursday, August 25, 2011

I want to highlight a message from Giampaolo Motta, the owner of Tuscany’s La Massa. It is in response to my August 19 blog entitled “Following a Dream in Winemaking in Tuscany.”

A few readers apparently didn’t agree with my view that Giampaolo, or any other winemaker, has the right to make wines in Tuscany that he or she sees fit. In fact, I wrote, “What’s wrong with diversity in the wine world? And who’s to say a winemaker shouldn’t follow his or her dreams, if they have the opportunity?”

Please read Giampolo’s reasons for using and not using his region’s main local grape: Sangiovese. (The comment is unedited.)

Dear Giovanni,

I’d like to respond to your question and just clarify one point regarding the use of local varieties – in this case Sangiovese.

I made the choice to declassify my wines 8 years ago for two primary reasons: commercial and personal. However I have steadfastly concentrated on producing wines of high quality that reflect, as James points out, my dream.

I cannot go into great detail, in this forum, to explain the commercial reasons but I will say that I made the correct choice for me and for my winery. As for the personal reasons: I want to make wines that reflect my personality and my dream to someday make what I call a “great” wine.

With La Massa I.G.T., Sangiovese is the soul of the wine. I choose the best grapes from our vineyards and try to obtain the best expression that this variety has to offer by doing a delicate extraction and short vinification.

Giorgio Primo is my heart, my dreams and my personality. It is the style of wines I enjoy the most. My first experiences in wine were in Bordeaux many years ago. Its wines have had a great influence on my palate; its winemakers, a great influence on my thinking about wine; its methods, on my winemaking. I have reverence for its history and precision and the expression the wines show of its terroir. Don’t forget that Cabernet Sauvignon is present in Tuscany since 1600 under the name of “uva francesa.”

For me, today, it is about having the liberty to express my dreams, my personality and very importantly the incredible terroir (not VARIETY) of this place – LA MASSA.

Thank you Giovanni for your question and thank you James for your words.

Giampaolo Motta

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3 thoughts on “My Article: A Tuscan Winemaker Explains His Dream”

  1. JohnnyB says:
    Friday, August 26, 2011 at 10:47 am
    The proof is in the wine and the 2007 Giorgio Primo is an outstanding wine. Bravo to Giampolo and his dream.
  2. fattorialamassa says:
    Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 12:34 am
    grazie james !! and really thank you johnnyb for your great support .best dreams must be shared ,hope to meet you in montreal this winter.giampaolo
  3. JohnnyB says:
    Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 8:24 am
    Giampolo I met you in Montreal at a diner hosted by the SAQ last year in Pointe Claire at le Gourmand. My wife and I were sitting in the corner table downstairs and you came over to talk to us in english. We really enjoyed your wines that night and your talk on the changes being made to both your wines. I look forward to your return to Quebec. A funny note to this: At the dinner they offered your wines for purchase but the 2007 Giorgio Primo was sold out. I went on a province wide hunt and by the end of that week I had secured 18 bottles! We enjoyed one at christmas dinner 2010 and it was a big hit with my wifes family from Compagnia.