Ca’Marcanda


— About —

Ca’Marcanda consists of two main soil types. Firstly, white soils which are found higher up the slope towards the hills and are considered the best. These are categorised by being predominately limestone and clay. The clay is found in the top 30cm of the soil profile and deeper than that limestone dominates. These white soils are degraded, shallow and low vigor soils. Secondly, dark soils, these have a higher sand component and have been formed by alluvial wash coming down off the hills, deeper in profile with clay and iron oxide these more fertile soils result in juicier wine with fruiter notes and higher concentration.

During our recent visit Giovanni Gaja really wanted to stress there are three main influences on the region. Firstly, it is an area of light and this is a crucial factor that drives the climate here and therefore the wines. This light has two sources. The first source is the sun. Bolgheri is situated on the Mediterranean and experiences hot summers and mild winters. Rain is concentrated between April and May and then October and November. The second source is reflected light, both off the hills behind the region and the sea, the estate being only 5km from the sea. However even though it is hot and sunny there is constant mitigating cool winds coming down from the hills and warm winds coming up off the sea. These cool and warm winds mix, resulting in air that is never still which acts like an air-conditioner for the vineyards, this is the second major influence on the region. Finally, the third factor is the soils. The soils of Bolgheriare all marine limestones in origin, only sites in Bolgheri that sat above 600m were above sea level until 14,000 years ago. In fact until the 1920’s much of the area was swamp land and only drained during that time under Mussolini. Today Bolgheri has 27 different soil types and counting.

The label design for Ca’Marcanda is an interpretation of the ‘Bolgheri Boulevard’, a famous stretch of road in the region that was planted to 2500 Cypress Pines, the colour being the famous trees and the white, the road and sky, staying in tune with the famous two toned Gaja geometric label design.

 

 

THE JOURNEY OF BOLGHERI DOP

Until the current DOC regulations were laid down in 1994, Sassicaia and the other Super Tuscan wines produced here were usually sold as Vino da Tavola or Toscana IGT. Today a Bolgheri Rosso, Rosso Superiore or Rosé may be made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or a blend combining one or more of these, and/or up to 50 percent of Syrah or Sangiovese. Other red grapes such as Petit Verdot may account for up to 30 percent. Wines made from other grape varieties or nonconforming blend percentages are classified as IGT. Earlier DOC regulations prevented monovarietal wines from being produced as Bolgheri Rosso. Today Ca’Marcanda produces two wines under the Bolghero DOC, Magari & Camarcanda. The other two wines are released under the Toscano IGP.