Tuscan grape Foglia Tonda: Discovering our vineyards

Let’s talk about the not so popular Tuscan grape Foglia Tonda. The vineyards Anima Mundi occupy 4 out of 17 hectares of the farm: for each vineyard we have chosen the best plot of land, respecting the biodiversity and the needs of the plants. We have illustrated the qualities of the Pugnitello above, and now we present Foglia Tonda, the grape variety of our vineyard “Mor Di Roccia”.

The vineyard Mor di Roccia is named after the large subterranean rock which once occupied the land. It is on a hill facing southwest, 185 m high. The soil is sandy, of Pliocene origin. This kind of soil is typical of Tuscany: it is composed of yellowish sand, gravel and pebbles, which form steady hills and, because of their permeability, have great resistance to erosion.

The Mor di Roccia benefits from the influence of salty air: moreover, the influence of the sea in summer causes wide temperature ranges, which allow the perfect ripening of the grapes.

The terroir is peculiar, isolated, surrounded by woods and the typical Mediterranean vegetation; the numerous bees in the area help the vineyard reach a perfect biological balance. The entire implantation has been made with seasoned chestnut and pine wood.

What kind of grapes is grown in this vineyard? The Foglia Tonda

This Tuscan vine was first catalogued in 1877 in the vineyards of Castello di Brolio, owned by Barone Ricasoli. Its cultivation was abandoned because it produced a large amount of grapes, but poor-quality wines. Anima Mundi has recovered it in order to re-evaluate the area’s grapes, by changing the type of pruning and getting a new produce.

The Foglia Tonda (the name means “rounded leaf”) is a remarkable red grape with the Tuscan autochthonous germplasm. Its features are: pyramid-shaped and winged bunches, grapes covered with abundant wax, and whole, orbicular leaves (hence its name).

The wine of Foglia Tonda has a garnet red colour and strong and intense flavour. Its scent is excellent, with notes of violet, red berries and prunes. Its taste is full bodied. The vineyard is grown in purity and also together with other typical Chianti vines, which thanks to the blend become richer and fitter to ageing.