Description
The Terre di Casole PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red and Passito. The Designation also incorporates grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Terre di Casole PDO is within the territory of the municipality of Casole d’Elsa in the Province of Siena, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Terre di Casole PDO Bianco is straw-yellow; the nose is floral and fruity; it is sapid, rich and complex on the palate, with a good acid vein highlighting the freshness. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been vinified and matured in wood for a minimum of five months and refined in the bottle for at least three. Terre di Casole PDO Rosso is ruby red that at times can tend towards garnet red; the nose is rich with fragrances of Mediterranean scrub, ripe fruit and spices; it is full-bodied and structured on the palate, with the flavours evolving into liquorice and chocolate with embracing tannins. It can display Superiore on the label if the wine has been matured in wood for a minimum of 12 months and refined for at least six months in the bottle; only wines that originate from vines that are at least seven years old can qualify. Terre di Casole PDO Passito ranges from golden yellow to intense amber; the nose displays evolving fragrances of pastries, honey, dried fruit and baked fruit; it is mellow, smooth and sweet on the palate, with a finish that is reminiscent of dried figs. Passito wine must be obtained from carefully selected grapes that have been dried in suitable environments until they reach a sugar content of 28%. The grapes cannot be mashed before December 31st of the year of the grape harvest, and in any case no later than March 31st of the following year. Partial dehydration in thermal-conditioned environments with the aid of ventilated air is permitted. Terre di Casole PDO Bianco Riserva wines cannot be released for consumption before September 30th of the year following that of the grape harvest; Terre di Casole PDO Rosso wines can be released for consumption from September 30th of the year following that in which the grapes were produced, and only after a period of 3 months refining in the bottle. Terre di Casole PDO Rosso Superiore wines can be released for consumption from January 1st of the third year flowing that of the grape harvest; Terre di Casole PDO Passito cannot be released for consumption before September 30th of the fourth year following that in which the grapes were produced, and only after six months maturing in wood and six months refining in the bottle.
Grape variety specifications
The Terre di Casole PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 85% Sangiovese, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%, excluding Aleatico. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Terre di Casole PDO Sangiovese wines can display Riserva on the label if they have been matured in wood for a minimum of 12 months, with at least 6 months refining in the bottle; only wines that originate from vines that are at least eight years old can qualify.
Additional specifications
The Terre di Casole PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
