Tuscany is a dream wine destination; the landscape of rolling hills and incredible views is home to some of the most prestigious winemaking regions in the world and has become even more renowned for high quality wines in recent years.
Sangiovese is the principal grape used in the appellations of Chianti and Brunello diMontalcino. The Tuscan coast is famed for the Bolgheri wine region and the ‘Super Tuscans’, where French varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are planted and produce wines under the Toscana IGT appellation. If you don’t have experience with these wines, I would recommend checking them out, especially if you like Italian food since what grows together, goes together.
Regions and Classifications
Chianti and Chianti Classico
Chianti is one of the most recognisable wines in Italy. There are 2 Chianti denominations Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG, and the wines vary widely in price and quality, from simple and easy drinking to those with complexity and aging potential.
Chianti DOCG covers a wide area of almost 14,000 hectares of vines. The wines must be made from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, and there are three classifications Chianti, Chianti Superiore and Chianti Riserva, which each have their own requirements regarding yields, aging period, and alcohol levels.
Chianti Classico DOCG in a smaller area consisting of approximately 5000 hectares in the historic centre of the region, where the best vineyards are situated at higher altitudes between Florence and Siena. Look for the black rooster of ‘gallo nero’ which signifies that the producer is a member of the Chianti Classico consortium, the association of local producers. The wines must contain a minimum of 80% Sangiovese and have minumun aging requirements of 12 months. Within this designation, there are three classifications: Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (the latter must contain a minimum of 90% Sangiovese).
If dipping your toe in Chianti for the first time, we recommend Fontodi Chianti Classico 2020. Located in the town of Panzano in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation, Fontodi is one of the most well-known and well-respected producers who set the standard for world class Chianti Classico. This is their flagship wine and is the epitome of elegance, intensity and longevity.
Charming aromas of Morello cherry, strawberry, and redcurrant with delicate floral overtones. Juicy, plump, and generous on the palate with ripe, rounded tannins that provide excellent mouthfeel and silky-smooth texture. There`s great structure, poise and precision here with further red and black fruit on the core with added savoury and tobacco undertones with subtle black pepper spice.
Montalcino
Just under 2 hours south of Chianti, you will find the region of Montalcino, which produces 3 wines all made with 100% Sangiovese.
Brunello di Montalcino Brunello means’ little brown one’ and is a clone of Sangiovese that produces a different style of wine to Chianti and must be aged for 2 years in oak followed by 3 years in bottle before it is released. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva must be aged for 2 years in oak followed by a further 4 years in the bottle before it is released. These wines display characteristic red and black cherry notes accompanied by more complex liquorice, earth, leather, tobacco and forest floor character from the longer oak aging. It has high tannin and acidity which will soften with age and become softer and richer in texture. Rosso di Montalcino must be aged for 1 year minimum and is a fresher and fruitier style which can be consumed whist you wait for your Brunello’s to mature.
We recommend Ciacci Piccolimini d’Aragona Rosso do Montalcino 2020 made with 100% Sangiovese from the younger vines of the estate, which is aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 1 year to produce a rich, rounded, and approachable Rosso di Montalcino.
Ciacci Piccolimini d’Aragona Rosso do Montalcino 2020
It boats an attractive nose of blackberry, red cherry with undertones of orange peel and star anise spice. Soft, supple, and silky thanks to the ripe, rounded tannins and core of further sour cherry, dried strawberry, and orange peel with a sprinkling of Asian spice on the long, lingering finish.
Bolgheri
The top producers of Super Tuscan wines are located in the coastal region of Tuscany around the town of Bolgheri; the birthplace of the super Tuscan movement. Bolgheri DOC wines are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah, along with a small amount of native Sangiovese. The style is generally much more modern, rich, and full bodied with ripe dark fruit character, vanilla, and spice.
We recommend Le Volte dell’Ornellaia 2021, which is an approachable and exciting wine from the world famous Tenuta dell’Ornellaia estate. It’s also worth discovering Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2021. The estate is located just a stone’s throw from the iconic Super Tuscan estates of Tenuta San Guido, and Tenuta dell’Ornellaia. Owned by Marchese Antinori, it has become one of the appellations` leading producers in its own right thanks to the unique micro climate and expertise in creating world class wines from Bordeaux blends.
Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato 2021
First created in 2002, Il Bruciato exhibits the best of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in a fresh and expressive wine. Impressive aromas of black cherry and black plum with hints of mint, liquorice and tobacco spice. Full-bodied yet soft and smooth with silky tannins that wrap around further dark black fruit on the core, leading into a racy, mineral-driven finish.
Bright ruby-red colour, intense scents of red berries and rose petals are clearly distinguishable on the nose, while on the palate the taste is full-bodied and enveloping, characterised by dense tannins and a vibrant acidity which make this a highly pleasant and enjoyable wine.
Toscana IGT
Producers can make quality wines under the Toscana IGT classification in any of Tuscany’s 10 provinces, if they are using grape varieties and winemaking techniques which are outside the traditional DOC and DOCG appellation rulebook.
We recommend Argiano NC (Non Confunditur) Toscana IGT 2019. Argiano is one of the oldest and most famous estates in Montalcino, with records dating back to 1580. The property has gone from strength to strength since its acquisition in 2013 by Brazilian financer, André Esteves, from a new state-of-the-art winery and cellar to the meticulous mapping of all vineyards. As a result, they now produce some of the most exciting and innovative wines in the region, and Non Confunditur 2019 certainly is one of them!
Argiano NC (Non Confunditur) Toscana IGT 2019
A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Sangiovese Grosso culminating a structured, ripe, and highly approachable. Dark berries with walnuts, hazelnuts and white pepper on the nose, following through to a full body with ultra-fine tannins and a chewy yet refined finish. Enjoy!
Italy can be a tricky wine country to navigate and understand, with 20 wine regions, 329 DOCs and 73 DOCGs, each producing its own unique style of wine with native grape varieties. If you need any help or advice on selecting your Italian wines, please do not hesitate to get in touch we would love to hear from you.
