Bolgheri (Italy)
Bolgheri DOC is a Tuscan "Bordeaux Style" blend of:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah.
Sassicaia and Ornellaia wines are from Bolgheri.
Bolgheri Flavors
Bolgheri tastes like a classic Bordeaux blend:
Black Currant, Dark Berries and Plum are typical Bolgheri flavors.
Dark Floral hints (Violets) and Wet Soil (Graphite).
 Black Currant |
 Blackberry |
 Black Cherry |
 Plum |
 Violets |
 Pepper |
 Licorice |
 Wet Stone |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging:
 Oak |
 Vanilla |
 Toast |
 Coffee |
Bolgheri Profile
Bolgheri has a classic "Bordeaux blend" profile:
| BODY: | Full |
| TANNINS: | Medium - High |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | Medium |
| ALCOHOL: | 12.5-14% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 15-16°C (59-61°F) Riserva 17-18°C (63-64°F) |
Bolgheri Food Pairing
Rich Flavors and Tannins make Bolgheri a perfect partner to Flavory Dishes.
It also loves Roasted Lamb and BBQ.
 Mushroom |
 Hamburger |
 Ham |
 Casseroles |
 Pork |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Beef |
Excellent Pairings
BBQ. Grilled. Roasts.
Roasted Potatoes and Onions.
Grilled Mushrooms (Portobello).
Grilled Veggetables.
BBQ. Chicken. Pork. Rabbit. Game.
Caramel Chicken.
Roasted Lamb. Lamb Chops. Lamb Shank.
Hamburger. Cheese Burger. Bacon Burger.
Red Meat Dishes. Spareribs. Veal Chops.
Pepper Beef. T-Bone. Kobe. Entrecôte.
Filet Mignon. Filetto (Italy). Solomillo (Spain).
The Ideal Glass for Bolgheri
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The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
If You Like Bolgheri
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Super Tuscan
In the 1970s, Tuscan wine producers "invented" the name Super Tuscan for high quality wines using non regional grapes, because the Toscana climate proved to be good for this.
Most of these local blends use an IGT appellation (Indicazione Geografica Tipica).
Some Super Tuscans are based on "Bordeaux Blends" grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Some are based on Merlot, some contain Sangiovese, and some contain Syrah.
One famous wine, Guidalberto from Tenuta San Guido, is composed of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, and 10% Sangiovese. Another, Le Difese, is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese.
Super Tuscan DOC(G)
These are the Super Tuscans with a DOC(G) status today:
Bolgheri DOC
In 1978 a Super Tuscan from Bolgheri won over all French Bordeaux blends in a Decanter magazine blind test.
Bolgheri DOC was approved in 1994:
Aged for minimum 12 months (24 monts for Superiore)
Up to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Up to 100% Cabernet Franc
Up to 100% Merlot
Up to 50% Sangiovese
Up to 50% Syrah
Up to 30% local grapes.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC was approved in 2013. It is the only single estate in Italy to enjoy a DOC privilege. Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC wines can be made only on the Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta’s Tenuta San Guido estate, and must contain minimum 80% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine Region Toscana
Toscana is famous for the majestetic city of Firenze
Ponte Vecchio in Firenze
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
65% Sangiovese |
6% Trebbiano |
Rosé Wines |
Sweet Wines |
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Soil
Soft and crumbly, marl-like clay-limestone and dense sandstone in the Apennine foothills.
Sandy clay around San Gimignano.
Gravelly clay and sandy soils in the Bolgheri and Maremma areas.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean with dry, hot summers; warm springs; and mild, rainy autumns and winters.
Variations in altitude, exposition, and diurnal temperatures in the foothills contribute to climatic conditions that help balance the sugar, acidity, and aromatics in the grapes.
Coastal areas like Bolgheri and Val di Cornia tend to be more temperate.