Casanuova di Nittardi “Vigna Doghessa”
The Nittardi Chianti Classico 2022 meets the art of RISSA
Florence, December 2024 – Since 1981, every vintage of Casanuova di Nittardi has carried two signatures: one internal and one external. The internal signature celebrates the tireless work of the Nittardiani team, who create a unique wine in the vineyard and the cellar. The external signature belongs to an extraordinary artist, who transforms each bottle into a work of art through its label and wrapping paper.
Casanuova di Nittardi is born from Vigna Doghessa, a vineyard situated at 450 meters above sea level, protected by forests and featuring soils rich in galestro and alberese, which lend the wine freshness and minerality.
“Wine is craftsmanship,” explains Léon Femfert, who leads his family estate. “Just as an artist works with a blank canvas, the winemaker interprets what nature provides, transforming it with creativity and knowledge.“
This year, the selected artist is RISSA, a prominent figure in contemporary art, renowned for her distinctive style that combines technical rigor with emotional sensitivity. Her label and silk paper wrapping celebrate the poetic connection between Italy and Germany: “On the label, the lavender blue evokes a nostalgic and longed-for union, while the azure butterfly on the silk paper symbolizes tender transience,” the artist explains.
RISSA’s label is inspired by classical mosaics, a technique that reached its pinnacle with the Italian Renaissance masters, who used noble materials such as marble, onyx, lapis lazuli, and mother-of-pearl. The delicate lilac on the label represents deep friendship, while the silk paper, decorated with azure and lilac motifs, pays homage to the cultural bond between the two countries.
“2022 was one of the hottest years in recent times,” recalls Léon Femfert. “Yet, thanks to late rains and careful management, we succeeded in harvesting perfectly ripe and balanced grapes. The result is a wine with a vibrant ruby color, elegant aromas of cherries, violets, aromatic herbs, and spices. On the palate, it is silky and well-structured, with soft tannins and a long, enveloping finish.“
Casanuova di Nittardi 2022 embodies the belief that wine is culture — an expression of creativity and expertise comparable to a work of art. “Like cinema or poetry, wine tells stories,” concludes Léon, “and Casanuova di Nittardi is our way of telling them to the world.“