Toscana (Tuscany)
Toscana is one of the most iconic and celebrated wine regions in the world. It is located in central Italy and is renowned for its stunning landscapes, historic cities, and exceptional wines.
Toscana has a rich winemaking tradition that dates back centuries where the wine culture is deeply intertwined with its history, art, and cuisine.
The region attracts wine enthusiasts and tourists alike with its picturesque vineyards, historic wine estates, and charming villages.
Wine tours and tastings are popular activities for visitors exploring Toscana, tasting wines that reflect the region's diverse terroirs and graps.
Toscana Grapes
Sangiovese is the primary grape in many Tuscan wines. It is the most important and most widely planted grape in Toscana.
The French grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also widely cultivated, especially in the so-called Super Tuscan wines, a copy of the Bordeaux Blend, where winemakers blend Sangiovese with these French grapes.
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the most cultivated red grape in Italy where it is planted from North to South, but it iss best expressed is in the region of Toscana.
Sangiovese is thin-skinned. The name translates to Blood of Jupiter". The color of the wine is light red.
Sangiovese wine has high acidity, smooth tannins, medium body and medium alcohol.
Red Cherries and Wild Berries are typical Sangiovese flavors, with hints of Flowers (Violets), Licorice, Spices, Tea, and Minerals. With aging, Darker Berries, Sweeter Cherry, Plum, and more Herbal flavors are developed.
Toscana's Red Wines
Toscana is best known for Sangiovese based red wines:
- Chianti Classico
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Chianti Classico
This sub-region in Toscana is famous for its Chianti wines.
Chianti Classico is made primarily from Sangiovese grapes and must adhere to specific production regulations.
The wines are known for their bright acidity, red fruit flavors, and floral notes.
Brunello di Montalcino
Produced in the town of Montalcino, this wine is made exclusively from Sangiovese grapes, known locally as Brunello.
Brunello di Montalcino is aged for an extended period, resulting in a complex, full-bodied wine with rich red fruit flavors and a great potential for aging.
The town Montalcino in the province of Siena in Toscana
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Despite its name, this wine is not made from the Montepulciano grape but from Sangiovese. The wine is produced in the town of Montepulciano and is characterized by its elegance, firm structure, and aging potential.
Super Tuscans
Coined in the late 20th century, Super Tuscans are high-quality wines that deviate from traditional Tuscan winemaking practices. They often include non-indigenous grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. These wines gained international acclaim for their bold and innovative approach to winemaking.
Toscana's White Wines
Vermentino is the best known white wine from Toscana's coastline, and Vernaccia is an internationally recognised white wine from the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Vermentino
Vermentino is a white wine grape from the island of Sardinia (Sardegna). It is also well known on the Ligurian and Tuscan coast.
Salinity, Lime, and Green Apple are typical Vermentino flavors. With delicate hints of Pine Nuts, Basil, and Minerals. The bitter aftertaste reminds of the white peel in a Grapefruit.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Toscana also produces notable white wines, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano is one of them. Grown in the hills around the town of San Gimignano.
It is made from the Vernaccia grape and known for its crisp acidity.
Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit and Apple are typical Vernaccia flavors, with a slightly bitter Almond finish.
Vin Santo
On the sweet side, Vin Santo ("Holy Wine") is the national drink in Toscana.
Toscana Appelations
Toscana has 11 DOCGs and 41 DOCs. Below is a list of the DOCGs.
Sangiovese:
Chianti DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
Chianti Classico DOCG (80% Sangiovese)
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (100% Sangiovese)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG (90% Sangiovese)
Morellino di Scansano DOCG (85% Sangiovese)
Super Tuscan:
Carmignano DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon/Franc, Merlot)
Suvereto Rosso DOCG (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
White:
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG (85% Vernatcha)
Passito:
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG (100% Aleatico)
Sangiovese:
- Chianti DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
- Chianti Classico DOCG (80% Sangiovese)
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (100% Sangiovese)
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
- Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG (90% Sangiovese)
- Morellino di Scansano DOCG (85% Sangiovese)
Super Tuscan:
- Carmignano DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon/Franc, Merlot)
- Suvereto DOCG (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
- Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
White:
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG (85% Vernatcha)
Passito:
- Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG (100% Aleatico)
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.