Uncorked: Francesca Planeta

Francesca Planeta came back to her native Sicily for the first vintage of Planeta Chardonnay in 1995 and has never looked back. Today she runs the family winery with her cousin Alessio Planeta

What Vintage are you? 

1971 – a very good vintage in Barolo and Chianti.

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

In Sicily we were not used to drinking great wines, we drunk mainly local wines. But I can’t forget the time I had a Cos d’Estournel 1996! It made my day (or evening)

Ambition or talent – what matters more?

Ambition first then you can discover that you are talented too

What would you be as a wine?

I’ve always felt to be a Merlot and I’ve found this quote to express my feeling from Christian Moueix: “Merlot is a friendly and delicate varietal which, on the proper terroirs and harvested at its peak, produces wines characterized by voluptuous, generosity and distinction.”

Where are you happiest?

Making foreigners love Sicily, my land.

What’s your greatest vice?

Too many to list, but maybe the greatest is that I’m a perfectionist and this takes too much of my time.

Best advice you ever got?

Don’t stop to look at your neighbor, but look far to learn and improve yourself.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

Chardonnay Planeta 1994, the first wine and vintage at Planeta….. it all starts from there.

What’s the best & worst thing about the wine business?

The best is to travel around the world and sharing your passion. The worst, airports.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)

96

Desert island vine?

Nero d’Avola, sun and warmth are its needs.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

Cometa Planeta. It makes everyone smile, and I will become a comet….