Thursday 30 October 2014

Tanzania - Ambassador 2011

Last bottle from my Tanzanian tour! The domaine remains the same, Cetawico, but in this occasion the level is expected to be higher, due to the Vinification process, the grapes used and the care that the producer gives to this product. At first sight I remained impressed by the label, much more cared and studied, created to feel comfortable in official events in which, in the aim of the producer, this bottle could (and should) be called to represent Tanzania and its wines.
Let’s see if the wine deserves this special packaging and attention …


 


Domaine and vineyard
The story of this experience, a mix of mission and enterprise, begins in 2004 when the Italian engineer and entrepreneur Fiorenzo Chesini was contracted by the Italian charity foundation San Zeno to dig a well for potable water in the village of Hombolo. Once there he realized that almost fifteen years before an Italian missionary, running a mission there, had brought with him some grapes and started to cultivate it there producing some wine. Unfortunately, after few years he was moved to another place and the production ceased but the legacy remained in the know-how and in the vines of some local producers. Back to Italy he told this story to the foundation and added his firm conviction that good wine could have been produced there. San Zeno accepted to fund the adventure so in 2004 an old  grain store is reconditioned and becomes the cellar of the new Central Tanzania Wine Company (CETAWICO) and is then equipped with the latest tools for wine production. Two agronomists, one Italian and one Tanzanian, rule the daily routine. In 2005 first products are on the market and start being spread to the European and American buyers. In addition the CETAWICO participated at the famous Italian wine exhibition Vinitaly.



The wine
Ambassador 2011 is a wine produced from (probably) the blend of Marzemino, Teroldego, Syrah and Aglianico coming selected vines. The region is located in the central Tanzania, The climate is mild and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 35°C. In Hombòlo it rarely rains, but thanks to an irrigation system constructed in the nineties by the Italian government, the soil is fertile and produces two harvests per year (March and September).
Once completed the harvest the grapes are cleaned with compressed air and then placed in a stemming and crushing machine. The juice together with the skins is pumped into special stainless steel fermentation tanks with temperature control.
The fermentation tank capacity is approximately 1000 hl and also the stainless steel storage tanks, where the wine matures for 6 months, have a similar capacity. The filling machine is completely automatized and is equipped with a filtering and micro filtering system.
The unique characteristic of this wine is that is goes through a double fermentation. Once completed the forts, the juice is poured into casks containing the lees of the PRESIDENTIAL, the top wine of this producer, for a second one. 



Tasting Note
Date
26 August 2014


Wine name
AMBASSADOR
Vintage
2011
Nation
Tanzania
Region
Hombolo
AOC-DOC
//
Grape Varieties
//
Serving temperature
16-18° C
Alcohol
14
Price (in euro)
10



Visual Examination
Taste analysis
Limpidity
Quiet Clear
Body
Full
Color
Ruby Red
Balance
Balanced
Consistency
Quiet consistent
Soft sensations
Warm – Quiet Soft
Effervescence
//
Hard sensations
Quiet Tannic


Flavors intensity
Quite intense
Olfactory analysis
Flavors
Sweet spices, fruits
Aroma intensity
Quite intense


Complexity
Quite complex
Finish/Persistence
Quite persistent
Quality
Fine
Overall evaluations
Aromas
Raspberries, plums, violets
Development
Ready

chocolate
Harmony
Quiet Harmonious



Food pairing
Grilled red meats, powerful game stew and mature strong cheese  



Body, flavors and aromas are of very good level. On consequence Ambassador is a very nice product to be tasted and appreciated calmly. From my personal point of view its best point remains that persistent sensation of warm that really makes you thinking of Africa and her landscapes; sat on my chair in France I could enjoy a glass of this wine remembering life and experiences of my visits to Tanzania. Simply amazing! 

Official website: www.cetawico.com