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Tuscany is renowned for its prized red wines: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti and Vino Nobile de Montepulciano. But the most sought-after Tuscan wines of all are the Super Tuscans.
What’s so special about Super Tuscan wines?
Super Tuscan refers to a style of red wine that originated in the 1970s when Tuscan winemakers began experimenting blending local hero grape Sangiovese with famous Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Nothing wrong with that you’d think? But strict appellation laws in Tuscany meant these reds had to be declassified and sold as Vino da Tavola.
Wine lovers worldwide didn’t take long to realise these big, powerful reds punched well above their humble Vino da Tavola classification, earning themselves the title of Super Tuscans.
The most famous Super Tuscans are some of Italy’s most expensive, including icons like Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello.
You’ll be glad to know that these days, there is a way to enjoy the Super Tuscan style without splashing out.
Meet Tuscan winemaker Sofia Barbanera
Sofia was raised on the Barbanera family estate near the famous town of Montalcino and helped her grandparents in the winery from an early age.
Keen to follow in the family tradition, she studied winemaking at university and gained experience at the Poliziano winery, renowned for its top-class Vino Nobile de Montepulciano and Super Tuscan red.
Like the pioneering winemakers of the Super Tuscan movement, Sofia loves experimenting to create unique wines. And the big advantage of Sofia’s wines over the original Super Tuscans? You can actually afford to drink them!
Saracosa: Think the best of Chianti and Bordeaux in one bottle
Saracosa is a longstanding favourite named after the Saracosa hill that overlooks the Barbanera’s estate vineyards.
Half the vineyards lie in the prestigious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and the remainder just beyond. So it’s no surprise you get such a big whack of flavour for the price.
A blend of old-vine Sangiovese and Merlot, part-aged in French oak barriques, it combines rich, dark fruit flavours with a toasty layer of complexity.
Dense, dark cherry and chocolatey tones make it a serious choice for pasta with pork ragù or bistecca alla fiorentina.
Saracosa Governo: What does Governo mean?
In days gone by, Tuscan winemakers turbo-charged their reds by drying out their best grapes for up to 20 days after harvest. It’s an ancient method dating back to the 14th century in Tuscany, where it’s known as ‘Governo’.
Sound familiar? It’s a lot like the Ripasso method used to make the fine red wines of Amarone in northern Italy.
It’s rarely used in Tuscany now, mainly because it’s so expensive, but Sofia is keen to bring back traditional Tuscan methods. By using a portion of partially dried grapes, Saracosa Governo boasts incredible levels of concentration.
Italian expert Luca Maroni has awarded it 98 points four years in a row and Oz Clarke calls it "A hedonist’s heaven". If you like your reds big and bold, this one’s for you.
There’s nothing like hearing directly from customers about your wines. So If you’ve enjoyed Sofia’s wines, make sure you let her know by leaving a review.
About the author
Sarah Turner
Sarah is a wine writer and editor with over 25 years’ experience in the world of wine. She began her career in retail, passing the WSET Level 4 Diploma, before becoming a supermarket wine buyer and finally finding her home in our creative team. Her love of food, wine and travel has taken her all over the world, but she has a soft spot for Portugal’s Douro Valley and the sherries and tapas bars of Andalucia.
