My Article: A Tuscan Winemaker Explains His Dream

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