As I get ready to celebrate a birthday this week, I opened one of my favorite bottles of Susanna Crociani’s wine, her Rosso d”Arnaldo dedicated to her father, Arnaldo Crociani, long time cellar master in Montepulciano.

I love so many of her wines but this one has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s the way she speaks about her father, his creativity and love for their city Montepulciano or maybe it’s just the wine itself which I have always enjoyed immensely, usually at her agriturismo, Il Cantastorie.  Susanna has been my friend for many years now, 13 to be exact. I always enjoy her wines, her spirit and the sense of family and welcome that I feel when I am with her. As I get ready to salute another year under the sun, I am thankful for friends and for the great wines I get to drink often. I am also thankful that I just saw her in February before the world went crazy on my most recent trip to Italy.

The wine is an Indicazione Geografica Tipica (I.G.T.) made from a blend of local Tuscan varieties, Prugnolo Gentile 60%, Canaiolo Nero 15%, Mammolo 15%, Colorino 5%, Pulcinculo 5%. After a long maceration, the wine matures for one year in Slavonian oak barrels and after six months is transferred to smaller barrels. The wine is very typical of Tuscany with dusty cherry aromas, earthy notes and a cedar line throughout. Good acidity, fine grained tannins together with medium plus alcohol give the wine structure and heft but it is balanced and light on the palate. A perfect mate to a roasted dish or Pici with Cinghiale.

I look forward to seeing Susanna and her family when we can finally travel again. Until then, I am virtual visiting through her wines.