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You can\u2019t miss a trip to Florence without a sip, and chances are when you head home you\u2019ll be wanting to fill your suitcases with the amazing (and affordable) <\/span>vini di Toscana. <\/span><\/i>But the options are endless at the <\/span>enoteca,<\/span><\/i> and it can all seem a bit overwhelming. Where do you even begin? <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No worries, we\u2019ve got you covered with this guide to Tuscan wines!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tuscany is arguably one of Italy\u2019s most internationally recognized wine regions. From Chianti to Brunello, who hasn\u2019t heard of at least one Tuscan wine?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While you might see Tuscan wine seemingly everywhere you go in Italy, the region actually only makes up 6 percent of the country\u2019s whole wine production! Tuscany produces 90 percent red wine, and that red wine is primarily made with the key grape of Tuscany, sangiovese. Though many of the wines of Tuscany are made with the same primary grapes, they have quite different tastes due to the changing soils, and climates.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sangiovese is 61 percent of vineyard production, after which there is merlot, making up 8 percent, and cabernet sauvignon at 6 percent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here you\u2019ll come across 11 <\/span>DOCGs <\/span>and 41 <\/span>DOC <\/span>appellations, or wine regions. These appellations make up the majority of production, while <\/span>IGT <\/span>makes up about a third of production.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course, before we get really into the ins and outs of Tuscan wine, it\u2019s good to understand a little more about how Italy judges and categorizes its wines. This will help you read Italian wine labels wherever you find them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n DOCG, DOC, and IGT all refer to different appellations\u2014wine regions within the area that follow set rules to produce quality wines typical of the area.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each of Tuscany\u2019s different <\/span>DOCG <\/span>and <\/span>DOC wines <\/span>represents a different region, but it doesn\u2019t stop there. Some of them even have subzones. For example, Chianti <\/span>DOCG <\/span>actually has seven different subzones, which each produce unique wines\u2014more on that below.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wine has been around in Tuscany for centuries. The Etruscans<\/a> were the first to start growing vines in the area, way back in the ninth century BCE. If you wander outside of Florence, you\u2019re bound to come face to face with some Etruscan artifacts, tombs, and ancient remnants.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For the Etruscans, wine was more than just a drink to enjoy, it was an entire way of life\u2014an essential element to their culture, society, and daily routines. With their wine, they formed strong trade routes that actually helped strengthen relations throughout all of Italy and abroad. Tuscany was even exporting its wines to Spain and France way back in the seventh century BCE!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While viticulture began to decrease after the Roman Empire fell, many vineyards of Tuscany were saved thanks to monks who kept the traditions alive. Wine continued to be an essential in Tuscan culture, up through the Renaissance and continuing to this day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, in 1716 the <\/span>Medici Family of Florence<\/span><\/a> announced an edict to mark the wine production area of Chianti. This was one of the first times that law stepped in to show a little quality control to protect the name of a wine region. This edict continued to be respected up to modern day, when the modern Italian system outlined the borders of Chianti.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you have a little better idea of the history of Tuscan wines, let\u2019s get into what you should order when sipping in one of Florence\u2019s beautiful piazzas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After a long day of exploring<\/span> Florence\u2019s <\/span><\/a>m<\/span><\/a>useums,<\/span><\/a> you may want to grab a seat and enjoy a delicious Florentine meal. To pair with your rich <\/span>bistecca <\/span><\/i><\/a>or <\/span>pasta with ragu<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll definitely want to order a bottle of red. But which red wine to start with?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Before we jump right to Chianti, let\u2019s talk about exploring some other Tuscan wines. First, there\u2019s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, made with a minimum of 70 percent sangiovese (locally known by the name \u201cprugnolo gentile\u201d), though in practice that proportion is much closer to 100 percent.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nobile di Montepulciano wines are aged for two years: one in oak barrels, one in the bottle. These are some of the most elegant wines of Tuscany, refreshing and smooth, but with rich aromas of plums, dark cherry and earth. If you aren\u2019t a fan of oak aging, look out for Rosso di Montepulciano\u2014the same blend but without the aging\u2014to enjoy a lighter and younger red wine.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another sangiovese-based wine that is a little more approachable is Morellino di Scansano. This wine is produced closer to the sea and can be blended with a maximum of 15 percent cannanou (you might know this grape as grenache). This wine can even be enjoyed by the glass with an <\/span>aperitivo<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other names you can look out for that focus on sangiovese are Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG, Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG, and of course the highly sought-after 100-percent sangiovese wines: Brunello di Montalcino and Rosso di Montalcino.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Brunello di Montalcino is one of the more expensive wines of Tuscany, and definitely one of the more sought after. This wine is famous thanks to its original producer, Clemente Santi, who worked hard to create the perfect production method. \u201cBrunello\u201d is, in fact, another name for the sangiovese grape in the area surrounding Montalcino.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>This wine is made with 100 percent sangiovese, but it stands out for having the longest aging requirements in all of Italy. Brunello must be aged a minimum of four years with at least two in oak, and an additional four months in the bottle before release. And if you seek out the <\/span>riserva<\/span><\/i>, that one has spent five years aging (including two in oak) and another four months in the bottle.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n By the bottle, Brunello can put a dent in your wallet, but if you want to try just a sip, Florence <\/span>enoteca <\/span><\/i>Le Volpi e l\u2019Uva<\/span><\/a> usually serves some by the glass. You can also look out for Rosso di Montalcino\u2014it\u2019s the same wine, but just has been aged slightly less.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now that we\u2019ve covered so many other excellent Tuscan red wines, we come to the famous Chianti.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What makes Chianti stand out amongst the other wines in the Tuscan wine scene is not necessarily the taste, but rather the long history. As earlier mentioned, this wine has been of great importance to Tuscans since before the 18th century, and they have worked hard to protect the quality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Chianti is actually broken into two DOCG appellations and multiple sub zones: Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG. Chianti Classico is made specifically in the historic area between Florence and Siena where this wine was first produced. The bottles will stand out to you because of the classic black rooster symbol.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Chianti Classico symbol comes from a legend that Florence and Siena were fighting over territory in Chianti. Each city chose a knight and a rooster. Once the rooster crowed the knights would ride from their city and wherever they met would be the new border.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But Florence was tricky\u2014they kept their black rooster up and fed him little, so he crowed hours earlier than dawn. Thanks to this, Florence was able to claim the entire territory of Chianti!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On the other hand, Chianti DOCG refers to a larger area surrounding the historic production zone, an area determined in the 20th century to grow the production of Chianti wine. It is broken into seven subzones: Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Aretini, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli, and Colli Senesi. Each one of these subzones produces quite a different style of the wine, thanks to not only differences in soil, but also different rules about blending.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is said that Rufina is one of the most prestigious subzones. But if you have time, you may want to go for a little wine tasting<\/a> and decide for yourself who\u2019s making the best Chianti in the region!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, while sangiovese reigns king in Tuscan vineyards, that\u2019s not all there is growing. And for those of you who are fans of grapes like cabernet and merlot, there is something super waiting for you.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Introducing the Super Tuscans.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What makes them so super?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Honestly, they\u2019re just a dramatic alternative from the \u201ctraditional\u201d Tuscan reds. Young and innovative winemakers came to Tuscany and realized certain soil was excellent for growing French grapes like merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These winemakers began making \u201cBordeaux blends,\u201d a style which is a mix of these internationally beloved grapes. They started approaching them in a different way, and as the result was so unique, they also started marketing them at quite high prices.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, Super Tuscan is actually an unofficial category of wine, but it is used for red wines marketed at a higher price point.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to save all your pennies to enjoy a good Super Tuscan style blend in Tuscany, however. Look for any wines coming from Bolgheri DOC, great for a cab or merlot, or Cortona DOC, which focuses on syrah and merlot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Maybe you aren\u2019t even really a fan of red wines. Are Tuscan wines still for you?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of course! The region may be focused primarily on red, but they have some excellent white wines as well.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Of the most famous white wines, we can\u2019t forget to mention Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This famous wine is made from a grape of the same name; it is crisp and refreshing with fruity aromas and a little almond note. It makes a great pairing with Tuscany\u2019s delicious <\/span>pecorino <\/span><\/i>cheeses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Other white wines to keep an eye out for are Colli di Luni DOC Vermentino and Ansonica Costa dell\u2019Argentario DOC. Ansonica is particularly common in the area around the island of Giglio and the coastal areas. This is another great crisp white wine.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you prefer softer white wines, look out for trebbiano or malvasia blends.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve had an aperitivo<\/em> filled with white wine and Tuscan cheeses, and then a rich dinner of ragu and red, we come to the dessert: <\/span>Overview of Tuscan Wine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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DOCG, DOC, IGT: Italian Wine Appellations<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Tuscan Wine History<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Tuscan Red Wines<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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What Makes Brunello So Famous?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Chianti<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Super Tuscans<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Tuscan White Wines<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Passito (Dessert Wine): Vin Santo<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n