The history of Ruffino wine, from Tuscany to the international market

In 1877 two cousins, Ilario and Leopoldo Ruffino, realized their common dream of creating great wines by founding a small winery in Pontassieve, a village on the outskirts of Florence. The region already boasted a centuries-old tradition of excellent wines and lush vineyards. Ruffino's reputation was definitively established both nationally and internationally through the numerous awards won by Chianti Ruffino starting from the end of the nineteenth century, and becoming the first Chianti to be imported into the United States. Today, more than 135 years after its foundation and more than 85 years since the first vintage of Riserva Ducale, Ruffino continues to express the history and tradition of Tuscany through every bottle produced.

They produce a good variety of red, white and rosé wines capable of satisfying different palates and occasions. Wines with a modern and innovative style or wines rooted in more than a century of tradition such as Chianti Ruffino or Riserva Ducale. Riserva Ducale is a Chianti Classico Riserva and preserves the style that has made it the true touchstone of Italian reds for decades: a local wine, with good acidity and an elegant and measured style.

After more than 140 years since its founding, Ruffino continues to express Italian history and identity in every bottle of wine produced. And today everything that the historic winery represents and wants to communicate finds space and is realized in the "Vivere di Gusto" philosophy.

The expression "Vivere di Gusto" embodies the all-Italian attitude of knowing how to grasp life in its fullness, eschewing ostentation and preferring elegant simplicity, good food, the strength of a smile, the pleasure of being informal and "pop" together. The same "Vivere di Gusto" that Ruffino, around a good glass of wine, has always helped to recreate: think of the Chianti flask, symbol of the Dolce Vita, or the story of Riserva Ducale, an icon of Italian conviviality on tables all over the world, or the Rosatello, an innovative expression of lively joie de vivre, just like the most recent Prosecco. Inclusive wines, not exclusive.

At the end of 2011, Ruffino was acquired by Constellation Brands, America's leading winery, and an electrifying new page in Ruffino's fascinating story is ready to be written. Today, Ruffino is deeply rooted in its historic territory, Tuscany, and at the same time open to the complex challenges of the global market: present in almost 90 countries, Ruffino wines are a strong sign of Italianness and good taste.

What does wine represent today and how have consumer tastes evolved?

Over the years, the concept of wine has changed a lot. It is increasingly seen as an experience, an emotional aspect rather than a functional one. An emotion that is also culture, because it can make you think of a specific territory and its vocation. Consumers' tastes have changed, evolving towards more aromatic wines with fruity notes, especially in reference to young people. Then there is the issue of global warming, so it is necessary to offer a product that can be tasted even in the hottest months. For Chianti, this has led to the need to make more elegant wines, the use of wood and barriques for aging has been reduced, to dampen the tannins and high alcohol contents. It's a good test, because it means repositioning itself on the market without losing its connotation.