Tuscan wine

Tuscan wine comes from the region of Tuscany, in central Italy. Renowned globally for its premium wines, such as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany is home to some of Italy’s most prestigious wine-growing areas. The rolling Tuscan landscape, with its varied terrain and favourable Mediterranean climate, is ideal for growing a wide assortment of grape varieties.

Tuscan wines are typically bold and full-flavoured, with the Sangiovese grape taking centre stage in most top-tier wines. You’ll often notice dark fruit flavours, firm tannins and high acidity in Tuscan wines. 

There are also wines known as Super Tuscan wines – a category that gained fame for blending traditional Tuscan grapes with modern international varieties.

Tuscany’s winemaking tradition dates back to the 8th century BC when the Etruscans cultivated vines. The ancient Greeks called Italy Oenotria or ‘the land of wine’, and Tuscany was at its heart. The church often owned Tuscan vineyards throughout medieval times, with monks and nuns perfecting early winemaking methods.

Tuscan wine enjoyed a favourable reputation until the 20th century when many producers began favouring quantity over quality. The mid-to-late 20th century, however, saw a dynamic shift in Tuscan winemaking, known as the Super Tuscan movement. Rebel winemakers began discarding the traditional rules, creating blends that mixed native and international grape varieties, and the result was wines of exceptional quality that reconfirmed Tuscany’s reputation on the world stage.

• Chianti: Famous globally, Chianti is synonymous with Tuscan wine. The region is known for its Sangiovese-based wines that carry the same name.
• Montepulciano: Not to be confused with the grape of the same name, this region is famous for its lush landscapes and high-altitude vineyards. It is known for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, another Sangiovese-based red.
• Montalcino: This hilltop town in southern Tuscany is famed for Brunello di Montalcino, a rich and age-worthy wine made entirely from Sangiovese. Montalcino is home to Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy’s finest, most sought-after red wines.
• San Gimignano: Situated in western Tuscany, this region is known for growing Vernaccia grapes, which are used to make the classic white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
• Bolgheri: This coastal region’s fertile, sandy and alluvial soils are perfect for growing robust grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Bolgheri is renowned for its ‘Super Tuscan’ wines, often blends of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Tuscany’s most widely planted grape variety is Sangiovese – nearly two-thirds of the region’s vineyards are dedicated to it. Sangiovese red wines are famous for their high acidity and lively red fruit flavours, including raspberry, cherry and plum.

Another leading grape is Vernaccia, a unique white grape that creates dry white wines with fantastic citrus and almond flavours.

Tuscany is home to several prestigious wines, including:

• Chianti: Produced almost entirely from the Sangiovese grape, Chianti is known for its high acidity and medium body, with tart cherry, plum and earthy flavours. Its high acidity and medium body make Chianti a food-friendly wine that’s a perfect match for tomato-based pasta dishes, pizza and grilled meats.
• Brunello di Montalcino: Made from the Sangiovese Grosso grape (a specific clone of the Sangiovese), Brunello di Montalcino reds are full-bodied, elegant and age-worthy, with complex flavours of cherry, leather and tobacco. Brunello’s complexity and robust character pair excellently with hearty dishes, such as game, roast meats and rich pasta dishes.
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Also Sangiovese-based, these wines are elegant and medium-bodied, with flavours of red fruit and floral undertones. It makes a great partner for Italian meat dishes like osso buco and ragu.
• Vernaccia di San Gimignano: Made from at least 80% Vernaccia grapes, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a dry white wine known for its crisp acidity, floral aromas and citrus hints. Its bright acidity and clean finish make it a great companion for seafood, poultry, light pasta or risotto dishes, especially those with a creamy sauce or with vegetables.
• Super Tuscans: These wines often blend the native grape Sangiovese with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The result is wines that are rich, full-bodied and known for their ageing potential. They vary widely in taste but often have rich fruit flavours and spice notes. Some famous names include Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello. These full-bodied, often oak-aged wines pair well with robust meals such as grilled steak, lamb or aged cheeses.

Super Tuscan wines are high-quality reds that come from Tuscany. The category emerged in the 1970s when some local winemakers started producing high-quality wines that didn’t conform to the strict blending regulations of traditional Tuscan wines. Often a blend of the local grape variety Sangiovese with international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, these innovative, high-quality wines delighted wine critics who coined the term ‘Super Tuscans’ to describe them.

Super Tuscan wines are full-bodied, high in tannins, often aged in oak barrels, and renowned for their complex flavours and excellent ageing potential. Famous Super Tuscans include Tignanello, Sassicaia and Ornellaia.