Drink with: Tomato-based pasta or stew, or my pick, Turkey Meatballs.

This is classic, clean Chianti from a small family producer near Panzano in Chianti.  I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the proprietor, Jacopo di Battista, over the past two years, and stay with them for a few days last summer.  His family has farmed the small hilltop estate without chemicals since inception in 1998, and has been certified organic since 2012.  They’re equally low-intervention in the cellar, using only native yeast and a small amount of sulfur at bottling.

The L’aura Chianti Classico, named after Laura, Jacopo’s mama, is their entry-level wine, easy and delicious – 100% Sangiovese, all estate fruit, stainless steel fermentation, aged 14 months in barrel.  Earthy, savory and a bit rustic, it’s made for food – spicy pasta, tomato-based stews or these Turkey Meatballs.

Querceto di Castellina is also an agriturismo with beautiful 15th century apartments, lovingly restored by Jacopo’s parents. They welcome drop-in visitors for tastings, and have a little pop-up wine and cheese bar on the patio.  If you’re in the area, stop by for a very sweet, personal visit, led by Jacopo himself, or his charming American girlfriend Mary.