BROLIO

A place to discover and enjoy

Chapters
• The meaning of Brolio
• Today we’ll look at history
• The castle gardens
• Gran Selezione Castello di Brolio
• Chianti Classico or Chianti?
• Castello di Brolio Extra Virgin Olive oil

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Visit Brolio
What to do, see and taste at Brolio, a symbol of
the Chianti Classico territory
THE MEANING OF BROLIO
Visitors frequently ask what “Brolio” means. Interestingly, that same
question was asked in a quiz with prizes on the Rai channels several
evenings ago. This combination of events led us to write about it here
in our magazine.

In the quiz, Brolio Castle was mentioned during the explanation that
was provided. That led us to look for ourselves, and those same words
heard in the broadcast were taken from the Treccani Dictionary of the
Italian language, which states:

bròlo (and bròilo) n. m. [Mediev. Lat. broilus (or broilum) and

brolium, later, brogĭlus, of Celtic origin]. – 1. Word once common
throughout northern Italy as well as in Tuscany, meaning vegetable
garden, orchard, generally enclosed with a wall or hedge: brolo, in
the Lombard dialect, is a vegetable garden (Buti); today limited to the
Padua-Veneta dialects (cf. Veneta brolo, orchard near the house). Still
found in various toponyms: Brolo in the Nonio municipality (Novara),
Broglio in the Cossato (Vercelli) municipality, Brolio Castle in the
Chianti area, Brolio in the Castiglion Fiorentino municipality, Brollo
in the Figline Valdarno municipality, etc. 2. archaic, figurative, poetic:
Crown, garland: yet they wore no garland [brolo] of lilies round about
their heads (Dante); The beauty of flowers made a garland [brolo]
around their hair (Poliziano).

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We have good reasons to believe that everyone has heard of Treccani,
and if not, we assure you that it has an honored history of great
prestige. The Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia was born in Rome on
February 18, 1925 as the Giovanni Treccani Institute for the
publication of the Italian Encyclopedia and Biographical Dictionary, by
initiative of two men: Giovanni Treccani of the Alfieri (1877-1961),
textile industrialist and senator of the Italian Kingdom, who was
president of the Institute until 1933, and the philosopher Giovanni
Gentile (1875-1944).

It is wonderful to be mentioned in such an authoritative source: from

now on, when visitors ask us the question, we can refer them to the
Encyclopedia Treccani with a smile and also, why not, a touch of
pride.
TODAY WE’LL LOOK AT HISTORY



We began recounting the history of Brolio in a post last January,

followed by two further posts in February and then April, and we’re
now at part four. Today we’ll continue by sharing the fascinating
description of the Castle as found in texts in our private library.
Behind the Chapel, there is the ancient Castle Keep. With its
crenellated towers, it offered the protection needed during extreme
fighting and served as the residence to the feudal lords. The highest
tower could be isolated from the other buildings by raising a
drawbridge, in case a final and desperate defense of the castle were
needed.
Moving alongside the group of towers, following the walkway, you
arrive at the wall walkway that crowns the bastions.
The powerful castle walls are immediately visible, their irregular
pentagonal shape and careful construction allowed defense from the
bastions of all sides against attacks. According to a study by the
military historian General Raffaele Cadorna, this would be the earliest
example in Italy of bastioned walls. The walls are 14 meters high on
average and up to 16 on the western side, with a total circumference
of about 450 meters. Under the wall walkway and in the rest of the
rampart there were a number of intricate underground passageways
(no longer practicable), which led to numerous arrow slits. This allowed
the men to move rapidly to defend the Castle while still remaining
undercover. The lower half of the walls were built as an escarpment
and the upper half as perfectly perpendicular, and they were originally
surrounded by moats. The earliest entry was quite a bit smaller and
more narrow: the keystone from this original gate can be seen
embedded in the external wall beside the current entrance, put there to
show the height of the original entry to the Castle.
The hill on which the Castle rises is here covered with conifers, and
descends very rapidly to the Borro delle Ripi below. Close behind it
there are steep mountains (Monte Castelli, Monte Martini, Cetramura)
where even today there are ruins of the ancient fortifications that
completed the defensive system of Brolio.

Turning right along the wall walkway, you quickly reach the main side
of the Castle (south side), where there is a vast panorama contrasting
vividly with the previous harshness. On the horizon to the left, between
the east and the south, there are Monte Cetona and Monte Radicofani,
to the south the bulk of Monte Amiata, towards the southwest the
towers and bell towers of Siena, more to the right the mountains of
Volterra, and below, nearby, the valley of the Arbia River.

You are now in front of the manor house constructed with bricks and
stone in the Siena Gothic style, restored and in part built for the Baron
Bettino Ricasoli (1860) based on a project by the architect Marchetti
from Siena. On the wall of the building, to the left, a plaque
commemorates the visit made on 22 April 1863 by His Majesty, King
Vittorio Emanuele II, first King of Italy.

It was on the mezzanine level in the modest rooms that he preferred

and that have remained intact, as they were,
hat Baron Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880) passed away. His is a name
connected with the history of the Italian Risorgimento for the leading
role, which he played as a patriot, statesman and private citizen.

Returning once again to the wall walkway and continuing, you reach
a small corner tower, on the high western side of the Castle, with a
view over an undulating horizon. Continuing even more, you return to
the northern side, looking down on the entranceway, where you pass
over the entrance door. Then turn right and you are once again at the
Castle.

In the next and final history lesson, we’ll tell you all about the Iron
Baron. 



We’ll be back very soon.
THE CASTLE GARDENS



Visitors climb up to Brolio Castle along a long lane through a beautiful

historic English Woods, created in the 1800s by Baron Bettino Ricasoli
with the help of his brother Vincenzo (both were passionate about
botany). Most of the information about this park comes directly from
Baron Bettino himself.

Idealized parks and gardens date to the early 1800s. In that period,
the vogue was to create gardens on your estate with plants (especially
conifers) coming from different parts of the world. The landowners
contacted other enthusiasts to exchange plants and enrich their own
collections. In this way, they created numerous parks and gardens that
we still admire today.



Work on the English Woods at Brolio began in 1840, on the northern

side of the hill which the Castle dominates. This side had traditionally
been kept free from vegetation to allow the arriving enemy to be
sighted. Immediately after having created the lane that leads up to the
Castle, Bettino Ricasoli had cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens
varstricta) planted along it, and today many of these original trees are
still there. The park in the guise of ideal romantic woods was created
at the same time as the road, to serve as a backdrop to this lovely
lane.

These parks were considered “English” because they originated in

England. In the period when Romanticism opposed the Enlightenment,
it was considered necessary to give greater importance to spontaneous
nature. Thus no more flowerbeds laid out geometrically, but trees
distributed in apparently random order.
The collection of plants in the park at Brolio
involved gathering seeds of various origins,
especially conifers, which Bettino had sent from
other enthusiasts all over the world, or that he
acquired himself during his trips. This meant that
various plants were introduced, including the
California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), the
California foothills pine, the Cedars of Lebanon
and of the Himalayas.
The Woods are located on a steep hill with a northern exposition,
and the terrain was terraced for these reasons. The plants are
placed around three main pathways parallel to the curve of the
slope, and straight. Other small paths depart in random ways
from these main trails, crisscrossing each other or dying out after
only a few meters. Along the paths there are benches made of
local stone, small dry walls, small stairways. The draining canal
runs perpendicularly through the entire park. Built entirely of
stone, both the floor and the walls, it is a one-of-a-kind work of
hydraulic engineering.

During the Second World War, many plants were seriously

damaged, and many died. One example of this devastation is the
Chinese parasol tree that is in the garden inside the Castle. It lost
part of its large branches during the cannoning of July 1944.
 Even today, the visitor entering the
Woods and walking through them
has the impression of being in an
enchanted place, and it’s amazing
to see so many imposing plants in
one place. Among the particularly
noteworthy esemplars, there is a
small grove of cedars of Lebanon
and of Deodar cedars (Cedrus libani
and Cedrus deodara), two rows of
Holm oak (Quercus ilex), and a
California foothills pine (Pinus
sabiniana), remarkable for its dimensions but especially for its unusually
large pinecones. The park became a very important reference point
over the years, and a large part of the reforestation in this area was
carried out with seeds from Brolio.

The Brolio Gardens, with their English Woods, can be visited partly for
free and partly by purchasing a ticket for the Castle visit. Moreover, our
younger guests can visit and discover the magic of the Woods while
enjoying the Treasure Hunt, which winds its way through the Woods,
respecting both nature and the history that made this magic place so
important.
 GRAN SELEZIONE
CASTELLO DI BROLIO



Brolio Castle is the undisputed symbol of

the Ricasoli estate, so much so that 1141
– the year the Castle was documented as
among the family’s possessions – is also
the date that historically marks the
beginning of the Ricasoli family’s Chianti
Classico wine production. The Castle’s
unmistakable profile was a natural choice
for the name and label of the estate’s
flag-bearer wine.

For centuries a stronghold with an

important defensive function, the Castle is
portrayed in the well-known Ricasoli
family tree of 1584. But not everyone
knows that Brolio Castle owes its current
appearance to Baron Bettino Ricasoli,
who in the 1800s transformed it from a
fortress to a family residence with the
help of the Sienese architect Pietro Marchetti. In doing so, he
chose to embrace the fashion of the period that had rediscovered
the canons of Gothic art and architecture, while preserving some
characteristic elements of the medieval era, such as the
unmistakable protective walls.



The current label portrays the Castle in neo-Gothic style, as the

Iron Baron saw it in his “second life” of residence there. Precisely
on the basis of a sketch by the Baron, in 1934 the painter and
historian Dario Neri created the first version of the label with the
imposing silhouette of the Castle that stands out on lands marked
with rows of vineyards.

Originally designed for Brolio Bianco, the label – accompanied by

the coat of arms and the family motto – has been used for the
Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio since its first vintage. And for its
symbolic value so important for Ricasoli, Brolio Castle is now also
featured on the labels of the extra virgin olive oil, vin santo and
grappa produced at Brolio.
CHIANTI CLASSICO or CHIANTI?



We’re writing about this topic again and this time we’re dedicating an
entire post to it, because we’ve realized there really is a lot of
confusion about it among consumers.

Many people don’t know the difference, imagining even that the term
Chianti is often used as an abbreviated form of the longer and more
demanding term containing the adjective Classico.



So the moment has come to clarify with a few simple facts:

Chianti Classico and Chianti are two distinct and different wines
that are produced in two distinct and different zones in Tuscany.


When Chianti wine came into being – the formula was invented by
the Baron Bettino Ricasoli in 1872 – it was the only one of the two
wines to exist. Therefore, it wasn’t necessary at that moment to
define it specifically with the adjective Classico, and for a long time
it was simply called Chianti wine.
• This wine rapidly became very well-known and famous, and in the
early 1900s many winemakers began to produce it outside the
geographic area within which it was created. Therefore, to protect
and defend the reputation of the original wine, the adjective
Classico was added in order to distinguish it from all the other
wines that were being produced with the original Chianti name.


• This important operation happened in 1967: the term Classico was

added to identify the territory (and the wine) of the Chianti Classico
that coincides with the Historical Chianti area.


• The two wines are both obtained from Sangiovese grapes but the
same variety planted in different zones, with different terroir, and
especially vinified in different ways based on the indications of the
two sets of regulations, renders two different wines (percentages of
varieties, aging, etc., etc.).


• The oldest zone, the Historical one, the one where everything
began, is therefore the Chianti Classical area: as a result, there are
two separate Consortia, one for the Chianti wine and one of the
Chianti Classico wine.
We believe that our readers will appreciate this brief summary of the
differences between the two wines that in this way could be easier to
memorize. But should it not be enough, we would like to mention a
definition given by Bruce Sanderson of Wine Spectator a few years
ago when Francesco Ricasoli asked him: “Bruce, if you had to
express the difference between Chianti Classico and Chianti in just a
few words, what would you say?” And the response was: “Chianti
Classico is Manhattan, Chianti are boroughs”. Perhaps this final
summary of just a few words clarifies more than any number of
explanations.

Our greetings then from the Chianti Classico zone. We’ll be back
soon with other more specific explanations about different regulations
and about the pyramid that distinguishes the annata wine from the
riserva and the gran selezione.
 CASTELLO DI BROLIO 

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL



The combination of oil and the castle at Brolio dates far back in
time. Olive trees have always been a part of the Chianti landscape
and agriculture. In the past they provided a valuable, indispensable
food; today they are preserved as the guardian of a landscape
unique in the world.

Today olive growing in Brolio is part of the cultural heritage of the

company and the Ricasoli family.

There are about 20 hectares of olive trees for a total of 4,000

plants. The varieties cultivated are the unparalleled trio consisting
of Frantoio, Leccino and Moraiolo.
The olive trees are cultivated completely free of pesticides and
chemical fertilizers. Pruning takes place every two years and grass
covers the soils: this keeps the soil solid and contributes to the
biodiversity of the “Brolio microcosm”.
 The new oil has a
beautiful bright green
color and an intense,
fruity bouquet, with notes
of fresh cut grass and
green olives. In the
mouth it is very delicate
and with a good balance
between spiciness and
bitterness. The olive oil will flavor the tasty soups of the season,
made with Jerusalem artichoke or porcini mushrooms, or the
classic Tuscan ribollita, but also delicate salads of mushrooms
and the Tuscan zolfini beans, and it will be an additional
ingredient to enhance recipes based on fish.

The Moraiolo is from the olive grove at Santa Lucia, located at

350 meters in soils that share limestone (Albarese) and marine
deposit qualities. It is brilliant green with gold reflections, green
fruity aroma with hints of fresh aromatic herbs. Smooth to taste,
elegant and pleasantly pungent, with a long persistence and an
aftertaste of wild rocket salad.



The Frantoio is brilliant green, intense green fruity on the nose, with
aromas of cut grass and artichokes. To taste, it is explosive and
enveloping, with excellent pungency. Very persistent, with an
aftertaste of green olives and almonds. From the olive grove at
Tarci, located at 500 meters and with mostly sandy, stony soils.

The Classic – a mix of Tuscan varieties such as Frantoio, Moraiolo

and Leccino – is also of excellent quality this year, smooth, elegant
and pungent.
RICASOLI WINE CLUB



NEWS AND EXCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES FOR ALL MEMBERS


For more than fifteen years, Ricasoli Wine Club has offered
dedicated purchases of wines and all the other products from the
estate to its members. And now the Wine Club is available in a
decidedly renewed version that aims to bring its community even
closer to the beautiful world of Ricasoli.
Membership is free; fill in the appropriate form to have access to
the Club and all the news. As Francesco Ricasoli says, “The
Ricasoli Wine Club now allows us to get to know even better the
wine lovers who appreciate us the most. A virtual bridge between

Join the Ricasoli World

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our winery and the tables of our members, but also to our Chianti
Classico area, with its winemaking history and traditions stretching
back over more than a millennium, and with its idyllic nature to
explore.”
The three membership statuses “Friend”, “Lover”, “Collector”,
provide progressive benefits that reward loyalty. Not only
advantages on purchases, exclusive tastings and the possibility to
access the select “Ricasoli Collection“, the best vintages of the
great wines of the estate and precious editions en primeur, but
also special conditions for the hospitality offered by Ricasoli and its
restaurant, the Osteria di Brolio.
“Most of the Club’s innovations derive precisely from ideas and
desires expressed by the members themselves. We are confident
that this platform will become increasingly important for dialoguing
with our enthusiasts,” concludes Francesco Ricasoli.
To discover the new Ricasoli Wine Club…

Join the Ricasoli World

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 VISIT BROLIO
What to do, see and taste at Brolio, a symbol of the Chianti Classico territory



TASTING
Tasting wines where they are produced is an undeniably exciting
experience: the Chianti Classico di Brolio is the result of refined
technology in our cellars, of stability and coherence in the production of
great wines that reflect their territory, with character, uniqueness and
personality. Our Castello di Brolio, produced only in the best years, is a
wine that leaves its mark. An iconic, luxurious wine, it expresses its
personality through its salient features of concentration and the tannic
structure of our Sangiovese. And we cannot fail to mention our great
crus: highest expression of knowledge of the territory, they unite all the
characteristics of individual vineyards.

SHOP ONLINE



EATING
Embraced by beautiful Chianti hills, Osteria is the place where flavors,
scents, stunning landscapes, and inebriating wines of Tuscany come
together. In the plate, in the glass, in the soul. Our greatest aspiration
has always been to let our land’s ingredients tell their stories: oils with
character, tasty meats, fish from the nearby sea, vegetables from our
gardens, cheeses from local master cheesemakers. With this spirit –
respectful of the territory and its extraordinary history – Osteria
interprets the seasons: its roots anchored in tradition and a bold look to
the future.

INFORMATION



SHOPPING
The Ricasoli Wine Shop is our welcome center in Brolio. Modernized
areas located within the old wine cellars welcome more than 50,000
visitors a year. Here you can buy Ricasoli wines as well as other local
specialties, such as honey, jams and DOP extra virgin olive oil from the
fine cultivars on the Brolio estate. It is possible to purchase some
wines and oils at the Osteria del Castello restaurant as well, while at
the Castle ticket office you will be delighted by the excellent
publications and the gallery of images signed by Francesco Ricasoli on
sale in limited editions.

SHOP ONLINE



ACCOMODATION
Agresto is one of the most
beautiful eighteenth-century
farmhouses on the Ricasoli
estate and has been restored
for farm holidays. It includes a
spacious living room, a dining
area and four double rooms with
bathrooms. Guests can also
relax outside and by the pool while admiring the gentle hills with
vineyards all around.

INFORMATION



ACCOMODATION
The Brolio AgriRooms are all
located on the first floor of the
building that houses the Agribar
Eroica Caffè in Madonna a Brolio.
Four rooms Eroica style for the
most passionate fans of that
famous race.

INFORMATION



ACCOMODATION
THE THRILL OF SLEEPING IN
THE VINEYARDS.
Immersed in the vineyards, not far
from Castello di Brolio [Brolio
Castle], Capanna di Citerna is an
elegant cottage that appears to be
designed with those who want a
rejuvenating break in nature in
mind. Capanna di Citerna is comprised of a bright open space with a
kitchen that can accommodate up to four people. The original structure
preserves the exquisite Chianti style (exposed beams, terracotta floors,
Tuscan stone).

INFORMATION
EVENTS
Every Thursday evening during the summer,
you can listen to live music under the starry
Brolio sky at the Agribar Eroica Caffè. On
the first Sunday of October, L’Eroica comes
through Brolio. This vintage bicycle race by
now draws a great number of enthusiasts
from near and far. The second Sunday of
October, Brolio Castle hosts the departure
of the runners in the Chianti marathon called
the Ecomaratona del Chianti Classico.

BROLIO MAGAZINE

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Barone Ricasoli Spa Società Agricola
Loc. Madonna a Brolio
53013 Gaiole in Chianti (SI)
Tel. +39 0577 7301
Fax: +39 0577 730225
barone@ricasoli.it
www.ricasoli.com

For Guided Tours info: shop@ricasoli.it

Editing by Thurner pr - Alessia Castelletti

Reproduction prohibited – Free copy