One of Italy’s iconic regions, home to the great triumvirate of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Tuscany is continuously vying with Piedmont and the Veneto for the title of Italy’s most important wine region. Rightly so, for it produces a colossal amount of premium wine from a multitude of different sub zones and appellations. There are few wine lovers that have not experienced, at one time or another, the region’s holy trinity of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Noble from the hilltop town of Montepulciano.
These iconic red wines represent three distinctive expressions of the thick skinned Sangiovese grape, a versatile variety that has adapted to Tuscany’s endlessly diverse terroir with impressive results. Chianti Classico, marked by the sign of the Gallo Nero (black rooster) and not to be confused with the more varied Chianti appellation, offers the best starting point for understand Tuscany. The gentle undulating hills between Florence and Siena produce austere, but ethereal red wines that display seductive notes of violet and black cherry. With age they can take on tertiary notes of mushroom and moss; with high acidity and a form tannic backbone. Chianti Classico is the quintessential accompaniment to a host of traditional hearty Italian dishes.
Much further south, in the old town of Montalcino, an even more rustic interpretation of Sangiovese has seen its reputation develop from a cult wine to one carrying serious international prestige. Production has expanded rapidly to meet a seemingly endless thirst (American driven) and as such a dynamic scene of boutique wineries and estates have sprung up. While Brunello commands high prices, fuelled in part by a lengthy stay in wood, a more approachable Rosso di Montalcino provides a credible introduction to area.
Although there is a rejuvenated interest in the production of white wine through the Ansonica and Vernaccia di San Gimignano varieties, it is Sangiovese and its many clones dominate viticulture here. In Montepulciano, another medieval town with a renaissance twist, Sangiovese is known as Prugnolo Gentile and gives gritty red wines with plenty of tannin and red berry fruit. Producer decisions in the cellar often influence the final style of wine, but while generally not as complex, or indeed age worthy as Brunello, it does offer a similar level of rusticity and Tuscan charm.
Also known as Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG, this tiny appellation produces only Passito wines made from the Aleatico grape on the island of Elba.
Bolgheri is often seen as the new frontier of Tuscan wine making. In recent decades there has been huge investment in this coastal appellation and there are now stunning wines to match.
Brunello di Montalcino is one of the great red wines of Italy. Produced around the Tuscan town of Montalcino from a clone of Sangiovese, known locally as Brunello, it has come to represent one of the iconic monuments of the Italian wine scene. Capable of ageing and improving for many years, Brunello wines are typically full-bodied and structured with incredible depth, concentration and complexity. There are now dozens of boutique producers creating exceptional single vineyard wines.
Carmignano is a little known, but quality focussed DOCG in Tuscany. A short drive from Florence, the area covers red wines made from at least 50% Sangiovese. They often blended with Cabernet Franc and / or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chianti DOCG is a large catch all appellation for Chianti wines.
Produced from Sangiovese, Chianti Classico is one of Tuscany’s great red wines and home to some of the country’s most beautiful estates.
Colli di Luni is a Tuscan and Ligurian DOC. White wines are made from Vermentino, which can be made in a Superiore style and Albarola. Reds must be made with at least 50% Sangiovese.
The Sangiovese based wines of Scansano close to the Tuscan coast are beginning to give the region’s other red wine name a run for the money.
Rosso di Montepulciano is the Tuscan town of Montepulciano’s entry level wine, which compliments the more prestigious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Wines are frequently made from young vines, released with less maturation and sometimes feature high percentages of international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sangiovese makes up the majority of the blend.
Created in 1999, Sovana is one of Tuscany’s relatively new appellations. It is considered to be one of the great territories for the cultivation of Ciliegiolo, although others such as Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon are permitted.
Regional appellation covering winemaking across Tuscany. Made particularly famous however by a movement of producers making premium quality wines from non-permitted grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an important Tuscan appellation for Sangiovese based red wines.
As the name suggests, Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario is produced from the Ansonica grape along the coast of Argentario in the west of Tuscany. It gives aromatic, fresh white wines.
Barco Reale di Carmignano is a small DOC close to Florence making simple, fruity red and rose wines from both Sangiovese and international red varieties.
Bianco dell’Empolese DOC is a white wine produced from Trebbiano Toscano around the town of Empoli. It is also permits the production of a Vin Santo.
Bianco di Pitigliano DOC is a little known growing area in the Maremma zone of Tuscany. It currently produces wines from a range of different grapes, but the most obvious is the white from the prominent Cantina Sociale di Pitigliano.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC was created in 2013 in recognition of Tenuta San Guido’s iconic Sassicaia wine which has become a global symbol of Italian fine wine. It is located in the Bolgheri DOC appellation.
Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC is one of the lesser known appellations in Tuscany. Created in 1981, it covers winemaking on the Tuscan coast, close to the towns of Massa, Carrara and Montignoso. White wines generally made with Vermentino, while reds are either made with Sangiovese, or interestingly, the very rare Barsaglina.
Capalbio DOC is made in the Maremma area of western Tuscany. Reds are made with Sangiovese, while white wines are made from Trebbiano Toscano and Vermentino.
Although founded in 1990, the DOC of Colli dell’Etruria Centrale is rarely used. It was introduced in order to support ‘alternative’ wines produced in the Chianti and Chianti Classico areas. Whites in particular fit the bill, the majority of which are produced with Trebbiano Toscano.
Colli della Toscana Centrale is a relatively new regional appellation created in the centre of Tuscany, but is increasingly found on the labels of high quality wines. A number of producers in the Chianti Classico area use the appellation in order to express a little more varietal flexibility with their wines - notably in the use of Merlot and Syrah.
Colline Lucchesi is produced around the medieval town of Luca in the North West of Tuscany. Sangiovese and Merlot reign here as despite the appellation’s proximity to the coast, varieties such as Vermentino don’t seem to develop the same aromatic profile as it does in the Maremma, Liguria and Sardinia.
The Tuscan town of Cortona has carved itself a bit of local niche. Focusing on Syrah, Cortona produces deep, rich wines.
Costa Toscana IGP incorporates a wide range of local grape varieties and encourages the production of wines from Tuscany’s coastal areas.
Grance Senesi was created in 2010 to offer some exposure for varietal wines produced around the Tuscan town of Siena. There are only a few hectares registered to the appellation, but in theory it provides a place for wines from Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malvasia Bianca Lunga.
The Maremma area was upgraded from IGT to DOC in 2011 in recognition of the area’s inherent typicity. The area is primarily known for its reds from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, although there are a number of white wines produced from Trebbiano Toscano and Vermentino.
Montecarlo DOC is a small appellation close to the Tuscan towns of Pisa and Lucca. It is named after the village of Montecarlo, which is making a small reputation for itself with white wines made from Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Bianco.
Montecucco DOC is one of Tuscany’s lesser known appellations. Whites are made with Trebbiano Toscano and / or Vermentino, while reds can be made using Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo.
Sangiovese produced around the town of Montecucco was recognised as a DOCG in 2011 for its ability to create outstanding wines. The appellation, located just to the north east of Grosseto, is celebrated by many as producing Sangiovese wines that can stand up to the wines of Montalcino and Montepulciano. The best and most age worthy tend to also carry the riserva designation.
Monteregio di Massa Marittima is a small but potentially interesting appellation in Tuscany. With a focus on Sangiovese, it produces wines from the rolling hills of the Maremma in the province of Grosseto. The DOC was created in 1994 and takes its name from the small town of Massa, around which many of the vineyards are planted.
Founded in 2000 after much campaigning by local producers, Orcia DOC must be made from at least 60% Sangiovese. Varietal Sangiovese wines must contain at least 90%.
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG emerged in 2011 out of the existing Val di Cornia DOC. Today it requires a minimum of 40% Sangiovese to partner Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Rosso di Montalcino is the baby bother wine of the world famous Brunello di Montalcino. Produced from Sangiovese around the town of Montalcino in Tuscany, and often blended with some Merlot, the wines tends to be soft, approachable and ready to drink a year or two from the vintage.
The San Gimignano DOC covers the area around the Tuscan town of San Gimignano but since the creation of a separate DOCG for Vernaccia di San Gimignano the denomination sparks little interest.
San Torpè DOC is a small appellation in Tuscany focussed on Rosato wines. It was created in 2011 and also includes Vin Santo which must contain a minimum of 50% Malvasia Bianca Lunga.
Named after the Romanesque 12th-Century Abbey of Sant’Antimo, this Tuscan DOC covers a similar territory as the world famous Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Sangiovese is rarely used here however and the appellation exists to showcase wines from other grape varieties and particularly for white wines.
Terre di Pisa was created in 2011 to showcase the wines surrounding the Tuscan town of Pisa, and celebrate a viticultural heritage that dates back to the time of the Etruscans. Sangiovese dominates here, but there are also plantings of Merlot and Syrah. There are around a dozen wineries promoting their wines as Terre di Pisa.
Val d’Arbia DOC is focussed primarily on white wine production from local Tuscan grapes such as Grechetto di Orvieto, Vermentino, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga.
Also known as Valdarno di Sopra DOC and incorporating the former Pietraviva DOC, it covers a range of wine styles.
Val di Cornia DOC was created in 1989 allowing the wines of this small area of the Maremma opportunity to express its coastal characteristics. In 2011 a new DOCG emerged from the territory known as Rosso della Val di Cornia.
Valdichiana Toscana DOC is home to a range of red, white and rosato wines, as well as sparkling and dessert wines. Red wines must contain a minimum of 50% Sangiovese.
Established in 1976, the little DOC of Valdinievole is rare used. In theory the appellation affords a little more opportunity for the Canaiolo Nero variety to shine, but as always in Tuscany, alongside Sangiovese. White wines are made with Trebbiano Toscano.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is one of Tuscany’s key white wine growing areas. The wines are dry, structured, and food friendly.
Italy’s most important Vin Santo appellation, produced in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany.
Vin Santo di Montepulciano covers Vin Santo style wines produced around the Tuscan town of Montepulciano.
Based in Gaiole in Chianti, Geografico produce a range of good quality wines.
Castello ColleMassari is best known for the production of Montecucco DOC.
Podere le Boncie is a highly regarded four hectare estate in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany. Giovanni Morganti has built a reputation for producing ethereal wines from Sangiovese through low intervention viticulture. Located in the tiny hamlet of San Felice, her winery’s key wine is the single vineyard ‘Le Trame’.
La Palazzola is perhaps best known for their sparkling wines, although they also produce an interesting mono-varietal expression of the Ciliegolo grape.
Soldera produces of Italy’s most iconic wines. Gianfranco Soldera’s Brunello di Montalcino is widely considered one of the great wines of the world.
Tenuta di Biserno is a 90 hectare estate located in the hills of Bibbona, close to theTuscan coast. It was founded by Marchese Lodovico Antinori and is known for producing premium red wines from the classic varietals of Bordeaux. The key wines are ‘Il Pino di Biserno’ and the flagship ‘Biserno’. Occasionally ‘Lodovico’ is made when vintage conditions allow.
Tenuta le Colonne is part of the Alejandro Bulgheroni Family Vineyards (ABFV) group which also owns Dievole in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany. Close to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Bolgheri appellation, the estate covers 400 hectares and produces good quality wines from Cabernet Franc and Vermentino.
Founded in 2006, Fattoria di Caspri cultivated the typical grape varieties of Tuscany. Of particular interest is the mono-varietal bottling of Ciliegiolo.
Owned by the Bacci family who also own Tenuta di Renieri in the Chianti Classico area, the Terre di Talamo estate produces Morellino di Scansano.
