Why Wild Boar Goes Well with Chianti

This is something I should have put into the post about our day in Chianti with Tony Sasa and Ferdinando Imberti, at Le Fonti.  I was reminded of it only when I read something on Amy Lillard's blog about her trials and tribulations as a winemaker in the South of France.

While Ferdinando was escorting us around his vineyards, he showed us where the wild boar had been feasting on the ripening grapes and where they had dug big holes between the rows.  Ferdinando didn't seem too perturbed; after all, the boar were reducing the yield for him, saving a nice piece of change in labor costs, no doubt.



Smart suines -- it was the estate's "cru" vineyard, for Vito Arturo, the best stuff made there. 

Now when I tuck into a plate of cinghiale, I'll think of all the Sangiovese grapes those critters have been scarfing up.  Tasting of the grape inside and out, so to speak.  It's well before lunch, but my mouth's already watering...