Tuscany and its wines

The Tuscany is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Italy and in the world, famous for its elegant, structured red wines, produced mainly from Sangiovese. The rolling landscape, the Mediterranean climate with wide temperature swings and the variety of soils all contribute to wines of extraordinary quality.

Among the most celebrated appellations we find the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, the Chianti Classico DOCG, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and the celebrated Super Tuscan, a modern expression of Tuscan viticulture. The region is also renowned for its mineral white wines and its sweet Vin Santo e Aleatico dell’Elba.

What is the Tuscany wine district?

Tuscany is one of the most representative regions of Italian winemaking tradition, with 11 DOCG and 41 DOC, and a strong identity tied to the Sangiovese, which dominates red wine production. Its subzones stand out for their unique features, with wines ranging from elegant and long-lived to modern and innovative.

The main DOCG and DOC appellations include:

• Chianti Classico DOCG → The iconic red wine of central Tuscany.
• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG → One of the longest-lived and most prestigious reds in Italy.
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG → Elegant and structured, made from Prugnolo Gentile.
• Bolgheri DOC → The cradle of the Super Tuscans, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
• Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG → The most famous white of Tuscany, mineral and long-lived.

The Great Wine Areas of Tuscany

1. Chianti and Chianti Classico

• Main grape variety: Sangiovese.
• Style: Elegant reds, with aromas of cherry, spice and balanced tannins.
• Famous appellations: Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti DOCG.

2. Montalcino

• Main grape variety: Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello).
• Style: Complex, long-lived wines, with a minimum ageing of 5 years.
• Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.

3. Montepulciano

• Main grape variety: Prugnolo Gentile (a variety of Sangiovese).
• Style: Refined, structured reds, ideal for ageing.
• Appellation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

4. Bolgheri and the Tuscan Coast

• Main grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah.
• Style: Modern, international wines, full-bodied and deep.
• Appellations: Bolgheri DOC, Costa Toscana IGT.

5. San Gimignano

• Main grape variety: Vernaccia.
• Style: Fresh, mineral whites, with an excellent capacity to evolve.
• Appellation: Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG.

6. Elba and Southern Tuscany

• Main grape varieties: Aleatico, Ansonica, Sangiovese.
• Style: Sweet wines and savoury whites.
• Appellations: Aleatico Passito dell’Elba DOCG, Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario DOC.

Characteristics of Tuscan Wines

Colour

• Reds: Ruby red with garnet reflections in the aged wines.
• Whites: Straw yellow with golden shades.
• Passiti: Amber with coppery highlights.

Aromas

• Fruity: Cherry, plum, blackberry in the reds; apple, citrus and peach in the whites.
• Floral: Violet and rose in the reds; white flowers in the whites.
• Spicy and Balsamic: Tobacco, vanilla and mineral notes in the more structured wines.

Palate

• Structured and Complex: Aged reds, with elegant tannins and a long finish.
• Fresh and Mineral: The whites, such as Vernaccia, with balanced acidity.
• Soft and Enveloping: In the passito wines, with sweetness balanced by acidity.

Typical Grape Varieties of Tuscany

Black Grape Varieties

• Sangiovese: The king of Tuscany, elegant and long-lived.
• Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot: Used in Super Tuscans for wines of great structure.
• Canaiolo and Colorino: Traditionally used in Chianti blends.

White Grape Varieties

• Vernaccia: Mineral and refined, typical of San Gimignano.
• Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia: Used for Vin Santo.
• Ansonica: Present along the coasts and on the islands, with freshness and salinity.

Why Choose a Wine from Tuscany?

A wine from the Tuscany is a unique sensory experience, representing the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. Ideal to accompany bistecca alla fiorentina, Tuscan cured meats, aged cheeses and tasty first courses, Tuscan wines are among the most appreciated and sought-after in the world.