Tuscany (630)

From Chianti and Other Cult Wines of Tuscany

Wine as a souvenir from Italy - a quintessential example are the popular round and straw-woven Chianti bottles, intended to conjure up a southern flair as candle holders. Besides Piedmont, Tuscany is Italy's most famous wine region and home to many excellent wines, including the pure varietal Brunello di Montalcino, fresh Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and classic dessert wines like Vin Santo di Carmignano.

Climate and Soils in Tuscany - Home Game for the Sangiovese Grape

While the coastal region and valleys of Tuscany are characterized by a temperate and dry Mediterranean climate, the slopes of the Apennines are influenced by continental weather conditions with cold winters, hot summers, and abundant rainfall. The vineyards of the Chianti region, for example, rise up to 700 meters high - a circumstance that particularly favors the cultivation of the late-ripening Sangiovese grape.

Different soil types such as sandstone or loose, calcareous substrates from marl, as well as clay with low lime content and fine gravel soils with a high sand proportion offer the versatile vine the opportunity to develop its great potential for nuanced aromas.

Wine Styles and Grape Varieties of Tuscany

The Famous Reds

Almost 64,000 hectares of vineyard area are combined in Tuscany - and Sangiovese as far as the eye can see. There are few wines in Tuscany with DOCG status that do not include the indigenous grape variety. More than three-quarters of the vineyard area in Chianti is planted with the vigorous and high-yielding noble grape; a Chianti Classico DOCG must be at least four-fifths Sangiovese.

Regional variants of Sangiovese grapes serve as the base for many famous classics, including:

• Brunello (also called Sangiovese Grosso or Sangioveto), the only permitted grape variety for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Rosso di Montalcino DOC,

• Prugnolo gentile in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (sweet wine),

• Morellino in Morellino di Scansano DOCG.

Sangiovese produces well-structured, acid- and tannin-driven wines, typically light red in color. Traditionally, it is blended with indigenous grape varieties such as Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, or Colorino. Grapes from France such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah mainly grow in the southern coastal region of Maremma, the home of the Supertuscans (see below).

In nine of the eleven Tuscan DOCGs, Sangiovese content of up to 95 percent is prescribed. Exceptions include:

• Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG, a dessert wine made exclusively from Aleatico grapes, and

• Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, a white wine produced from 85 to 100 percent of the namesake grape.

The White Grapes of Tuscany

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the most important white grape variety of Tuscany. It is grown northwest of Siena around the medieval "City of Towers," San Gimignano. 

Among the indigenous white grape varieties, the following also play an important role: 

• Trebbiano Toscano, the main variety for Galestro, Vin Santo del Chianti, and del Chianti Classico,

• Malvasia Bianca Lunga (Vin Santo),

• Moscato Bianco (Moscadello di Montalcino)

Interesting Facts about Tuscany

What is the difference between DOC and DOCG?

DOC stands for "Denominazione di Origine Controllata" (controlled designation of origin) and is the second highest state-defined quality level for Italian wines. Location and grape variety, yield per hectare of vineyard, alcohol content, and barrel aging play a role in classification. The highest level, "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" (DOCG for short), has even stricter criteria. Among other things, lower yields and longer barrel aging are required. A numbered state inspection seal adorns the neck of every DOCG wine bottle. In Tuscany, 11 of the 73 Italian DOCG wines and 41 of the 334 DOC wines in the country are home.

What are Supertuscans?

From revolution to market niche: In 1971, the experimental Marchese Piero Antinori, a wine entrepreneur and winemaker in the 26th generation, developed Tignanello together with oenologist Giacomo Tachis. As a "regionally atypical" blend of indigenous Sangiovese and French Cabernet Sauvignon, both separately aged in barriques according to Bordeaux style, the high-profile red wine violated Italian wine law in two ways. Tignanello made an international splash but could initially only be sold as Vino da Tavola due to the rule violations. Other Supertuscans grew up, such as Ornellaia, Masseto, Monteverro, and Sassicaia. Only one has been granted a DOC so far (Bolgheri, subzone Sassicaia). Those wanting to indulge in an encounter with an authentic Tuscan cult wine are recommended the Tignanello Toscana IGT from Tenuta Tignanello (Antinori).

When is it called Chianti Classico, and when Chianti Riserva?

Similar to Valpolicella Classico or Soave Classico, Chianti Classico also refers to the historic core area of a region. Originally, Chianti only consisted of today's Classico DOCG; since 1932, seven more DOCGs have been added. For Chianti Classico DOCG, stricter production regulations apply than for other Chianti wines:

• It must be at least 80 percent Sangiovese (in other Tuscan DOCGs: 70 to 75 percent).

• The addition of white grape varieties is not allowed in Classico DOCG, the only Chianti.

• The sale of Chianti Classico is only allowed from October 1 in the year following the harvest year.

• The alcohol volume must be at least 12 percent.

"Riserva" designates a longer aging time than the standard version. A Chianti Riserva DOCG ages at least two years from January 1 following the year of harvest. For example, the Lucarello Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG from the Borgo Salcetino winery spends 24 months in oak barrels before maturing for several more months in the bottle.

Order Tuscan Wines Online at VINELLO

Are you eager to assemble your own exploration tour through Tuscany? Just browse our selection - VINELLO has numerous wonderful classics and exciting new discoveries in its range. Discover the diversity of wines and also benefit from our sommelier advice. Secure shopping and guaranteed prompt delivery ensure that your journey of enjoyment can begin quickly and lead you directly to wine pleasure.