Tuscany and Central Italy Wine

Tuscan wine is produced exclusively in Tuscany, and while the region predominantly produces a diverse range of Tuscan red wine, white grapes are also cultivated.

Located in Central Italy, Tuscany has the ideal terroir for growing world-class grapes. The region is situated amongst rolling hills that offer a range of elevations and microclimates for grape growing. Tuscany has a diverse range of soils, from limestone to clay, ideal for growing some of the best grapes that produce some of the region’s most renowned wines. Its Mediterranean climate means that the region sees bouts of sunshine and warm temperatures all year round, creating the perfect conditions to let the grapes ripen fully, resulting in wines overflowing with fresh and lively flavors.

Tuscan wines are renowned for their bold and robust flavors, with the popular Sangiovese grape at the heart of many of the most elegant wines.

Dark fruit flavors, firm tannic structure and high acidity often characterize Tuscan wine. You may have heard of Super Tuscan wines, which have become famous for blending traditional Tuscan grapes with modern international varieties.

Tuscan wines have been produced since the 8th century B.C., before the rise of the Roman Empire. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that Tuscan wines became famous for their high quality. The popularity of Tuscan wines saw many rich Italian families invest in vineyards throughout the region. As a result, the Tuscan winemaking process has been passed down through the generations.

Sangiovese is the most widely planted grape variety in Tuscany, famous for producing wine with high acidity and lively flavors of cherry, raspberry and plum.

Another leading grape is Vernaccia, a unique white grape that produces dry white wines with fantastic citrus and almond flavors.

Tuscany is celebrated for producing prestigious wines such as:

Chianti: Made in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Chianti is produced almost entirely from the Sangiovese grape. Chianti is a vibrant red known for its medium body, high acidity and cherry and plum notes. In the heart of the Chianti region is Chianti Classico, a traditional viticultural area of Italy. Chianti Classico red wine is Sangiovese-based and is known to be a complex and elegant wine.

Brunello di Montalcino:  An elegant, ageworthy red wine made entirely from the Sangiovese Grosso grape—a specific clone of the Sangiovese—Brunello is the local dialect nickname for the grape. It is praised for its full body and complex flavors that include cherry, tobacco and leather.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Montepulciano in the heart of Tuscany is home to this high acidity, Sangiovese-based wine with hints of earthly notes alongside rich, fruity flavors.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano: A dry white wine made from at least 80% Vernaccia grapes. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is characterized by its crisp acidity, floral aromas and citrus notes. Bolgheri: Red wine produced in this Italian appellation on the Tuscan coast are made from Bordeaux grapes and create supple wines known for their aging ability.

Super Tuscans wines are high-quality red wines from Tuscany, Italy, that do not adhere to the traditional wine-making rules of the region. They came about in the 1970s as some Tuscan winemakers sought to make wines that did not adhere to the strict production rules of the region’s officially designated appellations, which include Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino.

The name ‘Super Tuscan’ was coined by wine critics in the 1980s to describe these innovative, high-quality wines. One of the first Super Tuscans, Tignanello, was produced by Piero Antinori, one of Italy’s most prestigious wine producers. Other well-known Super Tuscan wines include Sassicaia and Ornellaia.

The key difference between Super Tuscans and traditional Tuscan wines is the grape varieties used. Traditional Tuscan wines like Chianti are made primarily from the Sangiovese grape. In contrast, Super Tuscans often incorporate international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, either on their own or in blends with Sangiovese.

What adds to their appeal is they’re usually aged in oak barrels, which heightens their taste and texture. The result is full-bodied red wines high in tannins and loaded with complex flavors of dark fruit, vanilla and spice.

Super Tuscan wines are considered highly prestigious by wine enthusiasts and critics globally due to their ability to age well. Super Tuscans can sit in a bottle for several years, adding layers to their unique complexity.

• Chianti: The most famous Tuscan wine region, the Chianti wine region, can be found in central Tuscany, which has numerous sub-regions. The most famous Chianti sub-region is Chianti Classico. It contains a mixture of limestone and clay soils perfect for producing exceptional Chianti wines.
• Montepulciano: Situated in southeastern Tuscany, the Montepulciano wine region is renowned for its stunning landscape that hosts countless vineyards at high altitudes. The Sangiovese grape is dominant here, with over 70% of the fruit grown used to make the classic Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
• Montalcino: In the southern part of Tuscany lies Montalcino, a region with a warm, dry climate steeped in sand and clay soils. Montalcino is known for producing Brunello di Montalcino, a fine red considered one of Italy’s most sought-after wines. 
• San Gimignano: The San Gimignano wine region is situated in western Tuscany. The area is home to vineyards on elevations up to 400 meters above sea level. Among the stunning medieval architecture, you can spot vineyards brimming with Vernaccia grapes, used to make the classic white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano. 
• Bolgheri: Bolgheri is located on the coast of Tuscany, which has sandy and alluvial soils ideal for growing grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. The fertile ground may be why the Bolgheri area is known for producing Super Tuscan wines, such as Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Masseto.