There is a world where wines are different, whether by nature or by choice, by history or by objectives, but above all by philosophy. That world is the same one we live in.
These wines are more complex to conceive and make: sometimes they require more commitment, sometimes more effort, sometimes an open mind, sometimes a keen eye and often more time.
Artisan wines are the result of a symbiotic relationship between nature and man, with the latter supporting and shaping it without ever disrupting it.
We like artisan wines because in each one we recognise our own desire to revolutionise the rules and redefine the limits of the market, thinking about wine in a new way, always with a keen eye on the past.
WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON
Artisan wines share a set of principles that go beyond methods and certifications. Regardless of whether they follow biodynamic principles, the steep paths of heroic viticulture, or prefer amphorae or barriques. Here are the cornerstones of every artisan wine:
Wine is alive. You can think of wine as a simple drink, or you can consider it a living substance, a direct expression of the personality of those who make it and the ecosystem in which it is born. Artisan wines respond to this second vision.
True respect for nature and the land. Not in an abstract or necessarily environmentalist sense, but by adapting to the cycles of the seasons, the natural laws of climate and rainfall, creating wines that change from year to year and are never the same. Conscious use of native grape varieties, not to follow the market but to preserve authenticity and tradition.
Artisan does not mean old. Artisan wines do not necessarily reflect the idea of an elderly farmer making wine as in the past, but are the result of the research and vision of all those winemakers who experiment with new techniques every day, both in the vineyard and in the cellar, to produce wines that are as true and authentic as possible (and, if possible, without added sulphites).
The pleasure of drinking comes first. Beyond techniques and rules, wine is made for the pleasure of those who drink it, understood as discovery, surprise, taste, well-being, and sensory and intellectual enjoyment.
Going beyond conventions. Those who make wine in an artisanal way are not afraid to rethink the basics, rejecting the “this is how it's done” in favour of embracing all the possibilities of “this could also be done”.
Fashions are made, not followed. Some artisan wines are certainly also “in fashion”, but what matters is that they were the ones who paved the way: the market then followed, transforming a philosophy into success.
