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L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare photograph of the 1738 - wine book.
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  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare photograph of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare selected detail of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare sample view of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare interior highlight of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare interior highlight of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare example from the work of the 1738 - wine book.
  • Vivai Di Viti Americane by Strucchi, Arnaldo, a rare sample view of the 1930 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare captivating detail of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare representative view of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare photograph of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare selected detail of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare sample view of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare interior highlight of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare interior highlight of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare example from the work of the 1738 - wine book.
  • Vivai Di Viti Americane by Strucchi, Arnaldo, a rare sample view of the 1930 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare captivating detail of the 1738 - wine book.
  • L'Agricoltore Sperimentato by Trinci, Cosimo, a rare representative view of the 1738 - wine book.
L'Agricoltore Sperimentato

Early praise for Sangiovese in Tuscany’s most practical farming manual

Trinci, Cosimo

L'Agricoltore Sperimentato
Che Insegna La Maniera Più Sicura Di Coltivare, E Condurre Fino Alla Perfezione Le Piante Più Necessarie, E Utili Al Sostentamento, E Delizia Dell'Umano Genere; Di Stagionare E Conservare Le Ulive E L'Olio; Di Preparare, Arare E Seminare Le Terre. Opera Di Cosimo Trinci Pistoiese, Nuovamente Stampata, Corretta E Ampliata Coll'Aggiunta Di Alcuni Trattati Dell'Uve, E Loro Vini, De' Cocomeri, E Delle Cose Da Fare Mese Per Mese Più Importanti: Dedicata Al Merito Impareggiabile Dell'Illustrissimo E Clarissimo Sig. Senatore Marchese Vincenzo Riccardi, Guaradaroba Maggiore, E Soprintendente Generale Delle Nobilissime Ville, E Giardini, E Possessioni Dell'A. R. Di Francesco Ii Gran Duca Di Toscana.

1738, Lucca, Per Salvatore E Domenico Marescandoli

3rd Edition

$600 USD

Overview

Cosimo Trinci’s L’agricoltore sperimentato stands out not just for its comprehensive, month-by-month guide to 18th-century Tuscan agriculture, but for one particular vine: in its earliest editions, Trinci singles out “San Zoveto” as a grape of outstanding quality, an early nod to what we now know as Sangiovese.
Chapter XXXI (pp. 112–113) describes the Uva Rossa S. Zoveto: considered of “bellissima qualità” (excellent quality), ripens around mid-August, reaching full maturity in late summer, produces abundant, heavy clusters with a dark color close to black, yielding vigorous vines. Wine from this grape is strong and aromatic, though prone to turning acidic if not carefully managed during fermentation. There are notes on local practices (e.g., multiple “tuffature” or submersions of the grape skins during fermentation in the Florentine area, Montemurlo). The resulting wine is highly valued for blending, adding body, color, and flavor to lesser wines.

Inside the book

Trinci structured his work in 11 treatises covering everything from wine, olives, figs and citrus to grafting and pruning. This Lucca-printed edition, dedicated to Marchese Riccardi and bound in lovely contemporary parchment, is a key witness to both the agrarian knowledge and the viticultural esteem of early 18th-century Tuscany. It’s methodically divided into treatises on specific crops and agricultural practices: Vines & Grapes (extensively detailed, dozens of grape varieties with qualities described), wine-making processes, mulberries (for silkworms), olives and oilve oil, figs, pears, citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, etc.), grafting techniques, melons (Cocomeri) and monthly agricultural tasks (ploughing, sowing, pruning, seasonal duties). The systematic structure shows the influence of Tuscan agronomic tradition, blending classical agricultural knowledge (Columella, Palladius) with early modern experimentation. The section on grape varieties is remarkable: it catalogues at least 30+ grape types (e.g., Canaiolo, Mammola, Malvasia, Trebbiano, Grechetto, Liatio, Lacrima di Napoli). Unlike many specialized treatises, this book covers the full agricultural cycle, from vineyard management to figs, pears, citrus, olives, and even cucumbers. The word “Sperimentato” (Experienced/Experimental) signals a shift from purely theoretical agriculture to empirical methods. At the time it was the principal and most widely circulated text among Italian farmers, enjoying numerous reprints. The two previous editions date 1726 (Lucca, Marescandoli) and 1733 (Rovereto, Berno). Gamba, 2478, referring to the 1726 edition: “Cosimo Trinci of Pistoia was director of agricultural affairs, particularly in the territory of Lucca; his precepts are all grounded in practice, and specifically Tuscan practice; and although too much influenced by certain prejudices, he nevertheless knew how to set down good rules: this book is useful, and Mr. Paoletti rightly considered it the best to be placed in the hands of the stewards of his country (Filippo Re)”. Nowadays, centuries after, he’s still a reference in the wine word, so much so that Kerin O’Keefe in her “Brunello di Montalcino”, mentions: “In 1726, Cosimo Trinci referred to “San Zoveto” as “a grape of outstanding quality” in his Agricoltore sperimentato in 1726”.

Why La Fenice chose it

In a rare blend of vineyard wisdom and timeless taste, L’Agricoltore sperimentato may cover the whole Tuscan farm, but its most enduring line is a nod to “San Zoveto” (a fun old variation of the name "Sangiovese"), centuries before Brunello or Chianti made it famous.
Condition Report

Pp. [1] f.e., [32], 445, [1] errata corrige, [1] r.e.

Contemporary vellum, handwritten title at the spine (with four raised bands) and old library label. Engraved initials and tailpieces. Light foxing limited to a few pages. Small tears at the margins of p. 243, 245
Reference: Simon, "Bibliotheca Vinaria", 84, 1805 edition; Kress, 6229.

Dimensions (inches): 7 x 4.5 x 1 1/4
About the author

Cosimo Trinci (Pistoia ?-1756), Tuscan agronomist and practical advisor to the countryside around Lucca. His L’Agricoltore sperimentato (1726), a landmark manual on vines, olives, citrus, and farm practice, among the earliest to cite Sangiovese.

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