Ampeleia 'Unlitro' Costa Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy

Fans of the previous release will find a familiar invitation in 2024 Ampeleia 'Unlitro' Costa Toscana IGT: bright Mediterranean fruit, moderate alcohol and a style made for sharing over food. Following the floral, herb-scented 2023, the new vintage brings juicy cherry, pomegranate and pepper into focus, with fresh acidity and fine, lively tannins. Both vintages sit at 12% ABV, preserving Unlitro’s easygoing character while offering different expressions of the same Tuscan estate.

Product Details:

• Proprietors: Elisabetta Foradori, Giovanni Podini and Thomas Widmann.
• Winemaker and Estate Manager: Marco Tait.

2024 Vintage:

• Alcohol by Volume: 12%.
• pH: 3.38.
• Total Acidity: 5.72 g/L.
• Residual Sugar: 1.65 g/L.
• Total Extract: 28.55 g/L.
• Sulphite Content: 53 mg/L.
• Nutritional Information per 100 mL: 295 kJ / 71 kcal; carbohydrates 0.90 g.
• Style: Dry red wine.
• Grape Varieties: Alicante Nero, Sangiovese, Mourvèdre and Alicante Bouschet.
• Farming: Certified organic and Demeter-certified biodynamic.
• Organic Control Code: IT-BIO-014.
• Vinification: Varieties harvested and vinified separately, using direct pressing, infusion, short maceration and a small proportion of semi-carbonic fermentation.
• Maturation: Six months in concrete tanks.
• Filtration: Unfiltered.
• Dietary Suitability: Vegan.
• Closure: Natural cork.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.

2023 Vintage:

• Alcohol by Volume: 12%.
• Grape Varieties: Alicante Nero, Carignano, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese and Alicante Bouschet.
• Farming: Organic and biodynamic cultivation.
• Maturation: Six months in concrete tanks.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.

Sensory Description:

The 2023 combines juicy berry fruit with a particularly expressive range of floral and savory details. Crushed flowers, garden herbs, mint and orange peel accompany its fruit, while spice and leather add complexity. Its supple texture is balanced by lightly rustic tannins, giving the wine a little bite beneath its approachable character.

The 2024 places red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate more prominently alongside floral notes and pepper. Published reviews describe a fluid, light-to-medium-bodied palate with crisp acidity and distinct, finely textured tannins. Tobacco and cedar provide savory shading, while the finish remains fresh and persistent. Returning drinkers can expect continuity in weight and drinkability, with the newer release drawing attention to the interplay of juicy fruit, spice, and tannin.

Awards & Accolades:

• 2024 — Vinous, 91 Points: Antonio Galloni, February 2025. “Macerated red cherry, spice, tobacco and cedar are beautifully lifted throughout.”
• 2024 — James Suckling, 91 Points: July 2025. “Pristine and light-bodied with super-crunchy tannins and crisp acidity.”
• 2024 — Wine Spectator, 90 Points: “Packs plenty of flavors and character into a light frame. Distinctive and long.”
• 2023 — Vinous, 90 Points: December 2024. “A whole range of savory and floral overtones lift the finish.”
• 2023 — JancisRobinson.com, 16.5/20: December 2024. “Supple and with soft rustic tannins adding a touch of bite.”
• 2023 — Heiner Lobenberg, 92/100: Merchant review highlighting wild berries, violets, fine texture and refreshing, lightly grainy tannins.
• 2023 — Orazio Campoli, 90 Points: September 2026. “Bursting with wild berry fruit, herbs, and a touch of spice.”

Winemaker's Background:

Ampeleia began in 2002 in Roccatederighi, in Tuscany’s Alta Maremma, following a shared vision from Elisabetta Foradori, Giovanni Podini and Thomas Widmann. Marco Tait has directed winemaking and estate management since the first harvest. Vineyards form part of a wider agricultural property encompassing woodland, olive trees, arable land and livestock, with organic and biodynamic farming central to its development. Introduced in 2011, Unlitro expresses the estate’s convivial side through Mediterranean varieties, gentle extraction and concrete maturation.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve either vintage lightly chilled at approximately 54–59°F (12–15°C) in a universal wine glass. Give the 2024 a little air before serving if its aromas initially seem reserved. Tomato-and-basil pizza, grilled sausages, roasted eggplant and mushroom risotto suit both vintages; the 2023’s herbal detail also complements rosemary chicken and lentil dishes, while the 2024’s cherry-and-spice profile works well with pork skewers or sausage ragù. For a casual spread, offer salumi, Pecorino, olives and good bread. If opening both, serve at the same temperature to explore their differences.