Tuscany is located in central Italy, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains and the Tyrrhenian Sea, with the stunning city of Florence as its capital. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino or Super-Tuscan?

Tuscany is probably Italy's most renowned wine region, with the native Sangiovese grape variety being its most representative. However, it was the emergence of the French grape varieties that gave rise to the Super-Tuscan that elevated the region to the top of the world panorama.

It is among the medieval villages and their unique landscapes that we find the region's main designations of origin, which produce some of the best wines in the world: Chianti DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC.

Chianti Region

The Chianti region is located at the foot of the Apennine mountain range, between Pisa and Siena, and the geographical boundaries of the Denominations of Origin (DO) have been extended, giving rise to the Chianti Clássico DOCG (the oldest) and the Chianti DOCG, and its wines are produced mainly from the Sangiovese grape variety, which is joined by Canaiolo Nero and Colorino, and even some French grape varieties.

Sangiovese is a late-ripening grape variety which produces open-coloured wines with high tannins and acidity, and therefore a high affinity for prolonged ageing in wood as well as in the bottle. It has aromas of red fruit (cherry, redcurrant and plum) and dried flowers, joined by aromas secondary of spice and smoke, evolving into tertiary aromas of meat, mushrooms or game.

Chianti DOCG is a broad DO where we find the most generic wines, which is divided into sub-regions, having in Rufina and Colli Senesi two of the most prestigious sub-regions.

The DO of Chianti Clássico DOCG represents the beginnings of the Chianti region, located close to the Apennine mountain range, where some of the best quality wines can be found. The wines must be aged for a minimum of 12 months, 24 months for those Riserva (3 of which in the bottle) and 36 months for the Gran Selezione.

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Located further south and at a lower altitude, it tends to be warmer. However, the maritime influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea has a moderating effect, which is responsible for the daily temperature range.

In this DO, wines must be produced 100% from Sangiovese and respect a minimum ageing period of 5 years with 24 months in wood. They produce wines that are generally more structured than those from the Chianti region.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Near Montalcino we find the DO of Montepulciano, which produces wines mostly from the Sangiovese grape variety, rather than the grape variety of the same name, with a minimum ageing period of 24 months.

Super-Tuscan

It was on the Tuscan coast, by the Tyrrhenian Sea, which has a significant moderating influence from the Mediterranean climate, that Tuscany reached its peak on the world stage.

In addition to Sangiovese, French grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah predominate here.

Often referred to as Toscana IGT (Typical Geographical Indication), the recent DOs of Maremma Toscana DOC and Bolgheri DOC are authorised to produce wines exclusively from international grape varieties.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is an ancient white grape variety from Tuscany, whose DO is located around the fantastic village of San Gimgnano. Its wines are produced with a minimum of 85% of the grape variety, showing floral and fruity aromas, with hints of aromatic herbs and spices.