Above: “Decameron” by Waterhouse (1916). The countryside outside the city of Fiesole served as diegetic backdrop in Boccaccio’s Decameron. Fiesole lies in the hills above Florence.
In the wake of last week’s post (“Why Italians Are Offended by our Ratings and Rankings”), the title of the present may seem ironic. But it’s not.
On Friday, Franco posted about a municipally funded event held last month in Fiesole (Tuscany) to celebrate 98/100 points awarded by the Wine Spectator to Bibi Graetz’ 2006 Testamatta.
According to a press release issued by the township of Fiesole:
- The event was organized in collaboration with the Township of Fiesole to celebrate the wine that received 98/100 from Wine Spectator, the highest score awarded to any Tuscan wine. This score has made Fiesole a full-fledged member on the map of the great wines of Italy and the world.
My post last week generated an unexpected and welcomed thread of comments and I am thankful to everyone for taking the time to weigh in.
In the light of Fiesole’s celebration (sponsored by the city government), it would seem that not all Italians are offended by our ratings and rankings (at least the ones that receive top scores).
For the record, Testamatta is made using indigenous Tuscan grapes: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Colorino.
Do Bianchi 
for the record, Testamatta 2006 is made only by 100% Sangiovese
http://bibigraetz.myblog.it/album/schede/1268616231.html
and the event has been proven NOT to have been funded by municipality but from Bibi Graetz himself and Villa San Michele catering. The municipality of fiesole only use its press office to promote the evening
I didn’t know Fiesole produced wine, much less award winning wine. Another reason to take the 7 bus from Piazza Duomo.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s the drummer who gets the most girls, not the lute player.
Andrea, thanks for the clarification. What I was really trying to say with this post is that not all Italian winemakers are offended by American ratings and rankings. I was just trying to give some perspective on my post last week and the thread that it generated.
Adrian, SO worth the trip on the 7 bus (especially during the plague of 1348!)…
Jon, yeah, tell me about it. You never hear anyone sing: “and the lute player relaxes and waits between shows for his Cinnamon girl”!
The ’96 is 100% sangiovese…it hasn’t always been.