Washington Sangiovese v. Chianti Classico

The 2025 edition of the Giro d' Italia was chock full of emotions and exciting racing.  The drama began to unfold on Stage 9 in Tuscany which made use of the white gravel roads of the Strade Bianchi.  

Local racer Diego Ulissi started the day in the race leader's jersey.  Riding on his home roads as the first Italian to hold the race lead since Vincenzo Nibali in 2016. 

The race was decided late in the day as Wout Van Aert broke away from a small group of racers along with Isaac Del Torro.  The two racers worked well together, although Wout forced Del Torro to do most of the work heading into the final uphill meters of the course.  

Ultimately, Van Aert came around Del Torro to take the stage victory while Del Torro moved into the Maglia Rosa as the general classification leader.  Del Torro, the first Mexican bike racer to lead the Giro, would hold the race lead all the way to the penultimate stage. There, he wound up in a staring match with Richard Carapaz as Simon Yates rode away on the Finestre climb to take the GC lead and win the overall race in a fitting turn of events.

Similar to the Giro's race drama between the young racer Del Torro and the experienced Simon Yates, this Lucha Vino match up features a fresh young Washington Sangiovese challenging a seasoned veteran from Italy.  

Vibe Cellars 2022 Barrel Select Sangiovese v. 2012 Castillo de Gabbiano Belleza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Washington Grenache v. Gigondas

Lucha Vino is showing some respect for Grenache on International Grenache Day.  Grenache thrives in many wine regions world wide.  In this matchup we will focus on the Yakima Valley in Washington state and Gigondas in the Rhone Valley of France.

The Gigondas and Rhone Valley are frequent hosts of the Tour de France and other professional cycling races held in France.  Le Tour did not visit Southern France in 2023, but that will not deter this challenge!

2017 Kevin White Winery Pionnier v. 2014 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades

Washington Syrah v. Cote-Rotie

The Tour de France is fast approaching and the pros are putting the finishing touches on their form and fitness for the Grand Boucle.  Many teams and riders like to prepare for the big race with shorter, week long, stage races that cover the same territory as le Tour.

Two of the more popular races are Paris-Nice and the Criterium du Dauphine.  Stage 5 of this year's Paris-Nice passed through the Rhone valley giving the sprinters a final chance to battle for victory.  Olav Kooij from the Jumbo Visma squad took the win as his team prepares to support last year's Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard in pursuit of back-to-back victories.

These tune ups are also a great time for Lucha Vino to prepare for this year's challenge with a throw down featuring a Washington Syrah duking it out with a French challenger from the Cote-Rotie AOC.

2020 Succession Wines  Syrah v. 2018 Domaine-Rostaing Ampodium

Washington Sangiovese vs. Chianti Classico

The Strade Bianchi is an Italian one day race that kicks off the early season bike racing with exceptional style!  

This year's edition did not disappoint with one of the most dynamic young riders, Tom Pidcock, winning the race.  Pidcock is a mountain bike and cyclocross world champion that is bringing his game to the road racing circuit.  He announced his road racing potential at last year's Tour de France with a historic win on the Alpe de Huez.

On to this year's first Lucha Vino challenge with a match up between a Washington Sangiovese flexing muscle up against a Italian Chianti Classico.

2018 Mellisoni Lake Chelan Sangiovese v. 2017 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva.

Tale of the Tape

Mellisoni 2018 Lake Chelan Sangiovese

100% Sangiovese from 8 year old vines planted on the upper slopes of the Mellisoni Lake Chelan estate vineyard.  Harvested September 23rd at 24.5 Brix and pH 3.49.  

Aged for 22 months in Seguin Moreau French Oak, 50% New & 50% Once Used with an additional 2 months of bottle age.

2017 Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva 

Made from Sangiovese, Canaiolo and other red grape varietals.  Aged in Slovanian and French oak barrels of various sizes for a year or longer.