Sparkling rosé and reserve Chianti showcase different expressions of Tuscan winemaking

Carpineto has released two wines that speak to different corners of the Tuscan winemaking tradition: a sparkling rosé born from decades of experimentation, and a reserve Chianti from an outstanding vintage. One pushes boundaries, the other honours them—but both demand attention.

Farnito Brut Rosè : a Rosé born from experimentation

The Farnito Brut Rosè emerges from a lineage of experimentation that began in 1987, when Carpineto first challenged conventional wisdom by working with grape varieties outside the strictures of controlled denomination regulations. The name itself—derived from farnia, the local term for a species of oak indigenous to Tuscan forests—signals the wine's rootedness in regional identity even as it ventures beyond traditional categories.

What distinguishes this sparkling wine from the proliferation of prosecco-style offerings flooding European markets is its methodological rigour. Carpineto employs Sangiovese as the backbone, supplemented by other indigenous red varieties, then subjects the wine to secondary fermentation using a proprietary yeast strain developed in-house. This isn't merely branding theatre; the selection process involved years of trial cultivation to identify a strain capable of withstanding the demands of low-temperature refermentation whilst imparting the precise aromatic profile the winemaking team envisioned.

The refermentation itself takes place under carefully controlled cool conditions, with continuous agitation to maintain yeast contact. Following this, the wine undergoes extended aging at a constant 10-12°C, during which it receives numerous remuages—the gentle rotations that coax the yeast into releasing complex flavour compounds. The result justifies the labour-intensive process: a wine with substantial mousse that quickly resolves into an elegant, persistent perlage, the fine bubbles ascending slowly enough to catch and refract light in kaleidoscopic patterns.

On the nose, the Farnito Brut Rosè offers a sophisticated interplay of floral and fruit-driven aromatics, finishing with subtle lees character that speaks to its extended aging. The palate delivers the dryness one expects from a serious sparkling wine, but it's the structural elegance and remarkable persistence that elevate this beyond mere aperitif territory. At 12.5% alcohol, it maintains refinement without sacrificing presence.

The wine's versatility at table proves equally impressive. Whilst it performs admirably alongside fish preparations and white meats—classic pairings for rosé sparklers—its structure allows it to handle the robust flavours of Mediterranean cuisine more broadly. Fried preparations, delicate risottos, and cheeses across the aging spectrum all find harmonious partnership here. Served between 8-10°C, ideally in a tulip glass that concentrates aromatics whilst showcasing the bead, the Farnito Brut Rosè makes a compelling case for Tuscany's ability to produce world-class sparkling wines.

For home storage, bottles should be kept horizontal in cool, dark conditions—a proper cellar being ideal, though the lower shelf of a refrigerator suffices for shorter-term keeping. Allow at least three hours of refrigeration before service, or thirty minutes in an ice bucket if time is constrained.

A Chianti worthy of its five-star vintage

If the Farnito represents Carpineto's exploratory impulses, the Chianti Castaldo Riserva 2020 speaks to the estate's mastery of Tuscan tradition. This is Chianti in its most recognisable form—the wine that first carried Italy's viticultural reputation beyond its borders, produced in the central Tuscan heartland where the variety has been cultivated for centuries.

The 2020 vintage arrived bearing considerable expectations. Weather patterns throughout the growing season created what oenologists describe as near-ideal conditions: sufficient warmth for phenolic ripeness balanced by cooling influences that preserved acidity and aromatic lift. The result has been designated a five-star vintage by Italian wine authorities, a classification reserved for years that produce wines capable of extended cellaring and graceful evolution.

Carpineto's rendition draws primarily on Sangiovese, the noble grape that forms the backbone of Tuscan red wine production, complemented by Canaiolo and other traditional red varieties. Following fermentation, the wine spends 8-10 months in oak barrels of varying capacities—a deliberate choice that allows different lots to develop distinct characteristics before final blending. This is followed by further aging in cement tanks and bottle, each stage designed to integrate the wine's components into a seamless whole.

The finished wine presents in the glass with brilliant ruby colouration shot through with garnet highlights, visual confirmation of its maturity and proper aging. The nose delivers elegance and intensity in equal measure, with an expansive aromatic profile that includes well-integrated vanilla notes from oak contact, never overwhelming the fruit but adding layers of complexity. On the palate, the wine shows the suppleness and body that distinguish reserve-level Chianti from more modest iterations, with persistence that invites contemplation rather than quick consumption.

Serve this between 18-20°C—warm enough to express its full aromatic range but cool enough to maintain structural definition. The wine benefits considerably from advance preparation: uncork it an hour before service to allow initial oxidation, or decant it thirty minutes ahead to accelerate the process. The gentle aeration softens tannins and coaxes out tertiary aromatics that might otherwise remain dormant. Pour it into generous balloon glasses, the ample bowl providing space for the wine to breathe whilst the tapered rim concentrates volatile compounds toward the nose.

At the table, this Chianti demands the robust preparations of traditional Tuscan cookery: game in its myriad forms, from rich ragùs to braised preparations; roasted red meats; the famed bistecca alla fiorentina. It stands up admirably to aged cheeses and quality salumi, making it equally appropriate for formal dining and convivial gatherings. Store bottles on their sides in stable, cool conditions away from light and vibration—these are wines built for the long haul, and proper cellaring will reward patience.

Two Wines, One Philosophy

Look at these releases together and you see how Carpineto works: respect for what Tuscany does well, mixed with a willingness to go off the usual path, always with serious attention to how the wine's actually made. Whether they're making sparkling wine or following centuries-old Chianti practices, the focus stays on showing what the place can do through careful farming and good cellar work. The Farnito Brut Rosè and Chianti Castaldo Riserva 2020 give you different sides of that approach, but they share something important—neither one cuts corners. For anyone looking for wines that deliver now but have more to say if you pay attention, these are worth seeking out.