Luis Seabra has become a true superstar of Portuguese wine. His incredibly pure, elegant wines stand apart from the commercial products that dominate Portugal. But there is another, less discussed, reason to admire Seabra’s life work: his devotion to terroir.
If you love Chianti Classico, you know Castell'in Villa. The estate is run by Coralia Ghertsos Pignatelli della Leonessa, known to the locals as "the principessa" — with perhaps a touch of irony: she's famous for being an uncompromisingly old-school winemaker devoted to preserving and expressing Chianti Classico's traditions and terroir.
Super Tuscans have earned their place among Italy’s greatest wines, but critics often label them “international” — a backhanded compliment suggesting they lack true Tuscan soul. After all, these wines rely on French varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, grown in a warm climate, much like what you’d find in California or Chile.
That’s fair to an extent. But as always with wine, the truth is more nuanced, and not all Super Tuscans chase international appeal. Enter Montepeloso, proving that “Super” doesn’t have to mean “international.”
