The Wines of Tuscany (Toscana) Italian Wine Regions #4

This is a series of articles about Italian Wine regions: we will explain the region, the grapes, the wines and DOCG, DOC and IGT Appellations.

Source: www.made-in-italy.com

The name of Tuscany is synonymous with its most famous, and probably Italy’s most famous, red wine. Chianti has a distinctive personality that is difficult to define but that has somehow impressed consumers all over the world. The Sangiovese grape is the key to the region’s success, as the backbone of DOCG wines in Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Carmignano. Yet the region’s prestige is today further enhanced by the evolution of the “Super Tuscan”, wines that now rank among some of Italy’s most refined. Failing to slot into any existing DOC or DOCG category, they are now largely classed as Toscana IGT.

Chianti is made in eight zones around the prized Classico area. It is thought that the rugged terrain and diversity of soil and climate add to the wine’s personality. The best winemakers are striving to make individualistic wines and consequently it is hard to pin down the nature of the quintessential Chianti. Much of the wine produced is still light and fresh and intended for early consumption. Yet beyond this easy-drinking style there are some oak aged, full-bodied and complex variations that develop in bottle into some of Italy’s most exciting wines. The Classico region is considered to be the best and its producers use a black rooster symbol to identify this quality.

It is the quality of the Sangiovese grape that plays the most important role. Wines made from Sangiovese tend to be rich in body and well scented of black and red cherries. Red grapes are used to make up the blend in wines that are not 100% Sangiovese. In modern wines this can be international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon.

The wines from Brunello di Montalcino have gained considerably more stature than Chianti. The DOCG zone is around Siena and its wines tend to be more expensive than its counterparts from Chianti. Brunello is made from a particular clone of Sangiovese and is designed for medium to long-term cellaring in order for its true flavours to emerge. Rosso di Montalcino is also made here, a Sangiovese-based wine whose structure is less rigid, so the wine needs considerably less time in bottle.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is made with another clone of Sangiovese called Prognolo Gentile. The wine was named "king of all wines" by the poet Francesco Redi in the 17th century and the "nobile" was added to the name in reverence to its esteem among nobility. As in Brunello, a DOC Rosso di Montepulciano wine is released as a more approachable alternative that does not require ageing.

The first Super Tuscan was Vigarello, released in 1968, and other wine makers followed the trend of using 100% red grapes, instead of adding white grapes in the blend, introducing Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as the other ingredients. Sassicaia was the most groundbreaking wine, made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and proving beyond any doubt that the Italians could make a modern red capable to compete with the best of its kind from anywhere in the world. It has since been granted a DOC as Bolgheri. Tignanello, a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet uses small barriques for ageing the wine.

There are many up and coming appellations in Tuscany, such as Morellino di Scansano DOCG where Sangiovese is important.

Tuscany DOCG wine appellations:

Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Elba Aleatico Passito or Aleatico Passito dell’Elba, Montecucco Sangiovese, Morellino di Scansano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Tuscany DOC wine appellations:

Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario, Barco Reale di Carmignano or Rosato di Carmignano or Vin Santo di Carmignano or Vin Santo Carmignano Occhio di Pernice, Bianco dell'Empolese, Bianco di Pitigliano, Bianco Pisano di San Torpè, Bolgheri and Bolgheri Sassicaia, Candia dei Colli Apuani, Capalbio, Colli dell'Etruria Centrale, Colli di Luni, Colline Lucchesi, Cortona, Elba, Grance Senesi, Maremma Toscana, Montecarlo, Montecucco, Monteregio di Massa Marittima, Montescudaio, Moscadello di Montalcino, Orcia, Parrina, Pomino, Rosso di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, San Gimignano, Sant'Antimo, Sovana, Terratico di Bibbona, Terre di Casole, Terre di Pisa, Val d'Arbia, Val d'Arno di Sopra or Valdarno, Val di Cornia, Valdichiana, Valdinievole, Vin Santo del Chianti, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Vin Santo di Montepulciano

Tuscany IGT wine appellations:

Alta Valle della Greve, Colli della Toscana Centrale, Costa Toscana, Montecastelli, Toscana or Toscano, Val di Magra