Tuscany

Discover the best Tuscany wines at Ritschard Wines

History and tradition

Tuscany is one of the most important regions in Italy, both historically and culturally. No other region has contributed as much to Italian culture, be it in art, trade or history. Vines have been growing in the Tuscan soil since Etruscan times. Both the Greeks and the Romans contributed significantly to the development of viticulture in the region. In the early days, olive trees, vines and wheat were often planted together before these crops were separated.

The ancient Romans already appreciated Tuscany for its picturesque hills, golden sunsets and warm climate. From the Mediterranean coast to the hilly inland, the terroirs of this famous wine region produce some of the world's most sought-after wines with Mediterranean charm. Tuscan wine is considered the epitome of power and elegance, produced in privileged terroirs. The favourable climatic conditions in Tuscany are particularly ideal for the production of high-quality red wines, such as Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico.

Tuscany's worldwide fame as a wine region began in 1968, when Mario della Rocchetta launched Sassicaia, followed by Antinori with Tignanello in 1971. This inspired other wineries to plant Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and combine them with Sangiovese. Partly aged in barriques, the wines from Tuscany subsequently achieved international fame.

Significance of viticulture

Tuscany covers about 63,633 hectares of vineyards and, similar to Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, is one of the most renowned wine-growing regions in Italy, along with Piedmont. The most important grape variety in Tuscany is Sangiovese, which makes up at least 75% of the wine in the famous Chianti. The exclusive Brunello di Montalcino and its often referred to as little brother Rosso di Montalcino are made from a special variant of the Sangiovese, the Brunello grape or Sangiovese Grosso, 100%.

On the Mediterranean coast, wineries including the famous Tenuta San Guido began planting Cabernet varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in the late 1960s and early 1970s. What originally began as an experiment led to the emergence of the so-called Super Tuscans. These wines, like Sassicaia, achieved international fame, although for a long time they had no DOC status and were therefore sold as expensive table wines. In the meantime, Sassicaia has been awarded DOC status as Bolgheri, subzone Sassicaia, while other wines such as Antinori's Tignanello, Ornellaia, Masseto and Monteverro have still not been awarded DOC status. The high quality and unique character of these wines make them particularly sought-after, which is why many wine lovers want to buy Tuscan wines.

In addition to these outstanding red wines, Tuscany is also known for Vin Santo, an oxidative dessert wine. This is usually offered in the sweet (dolce) variety, but there are also semi-sweet (amabile) and dry (secco) versions with different alcohol and residual sugar contents. Vin Santo is traditionally served with cantuccini, a classic almond biscuit, which is one of the typical Tuscan delicacies.

Climate and geology

The climate in Tuscany is characterised by a clear dichotomy: while a mild, humid Mediterranean climate prevails on the coast, a continental climate with cold winters and hot, dry summers dominates inland. These different climatic conditions create optimal conditions for viticulture in this wine-growing region. The gentle hills and Mediterranean climate on the coast provide ideal conditions for the production of quality wines, while the continental climate in the interior is particularly beneficial for the late-ripening Sangiovese.

Popular grape varieties in Tuscany

Sangiovese grape: the main grape variety in Tuscany

The Sangiovese grape, often referred to as the queen of Italian grape varieties, offers an impressive range of uses. It ranges from simple table wines to highly regarded premium wines with an international reputation. Read our blog post ‘Sangiovese: the foundation of iconic Tuscan wines’ to learn everything there is to know about this important red grape.

As Tuscany's leading grape variety, Sangiovese is the basis for iconic wines such as Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Although Sangiovese, also known as Nielluccio, is indisputably the region's main grape variety, winemakers are also successfully experimenting with international grape varieties. Regional variants of the Sangiovese grape play a central role in many famous wines, including:

• Brunello, also called Sangiovese Grosso or Sangioveto, the only authorised grape variety for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Rosso di Montalcino DOC.
• Prugnolo Gentile, used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
• Morellino, the basis for Morellino di Scansano DOCG.

Sangiovese wines are characterised by their good structure, pronounced acidity and distinctive tannins, often with a light red colour. Traditionally, Sangiovese is blended with native grape varieties such as Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo or Colorino in Tuscany. In nine of the eleven Tuscan DOCGs, a Sangiovese content of up to 95 per cent is prescribed, which underlines the central role of this grape variety in Tuscan wine production.

Chianti, Montalcino & Montepulciano – three famous ambassadors of Tuscany

The DOCG Chianti covers a large area in the foothills of the Apennines and produces wines that vary greatly in quality. Many wines labelled as DOCG Chianti are rather simple, inexpensive and not intended for long storage.

By comparison, the DOCG Chianti Classico is of a higher standard and offers the Sangiovese grapes a longer ageing period. A typical Chianti Classico DOCG is characterised by a medium body, pronounced aromas of red fruits and notes of dried herbs. It is often aged in oak barrels to soften the tannins and develop more complex flavours. The best wines in this category can continue to age in the bottle, developing aromas of meat and leather. The Chianti Classico Riserva is subject to stricter aging requirements and can already exhibit tertiary flavours when released.

DOCG Brunello di Montalcino is a powerful, full-bodied wine from the warm, sunny town of Montalcino in southern Tuscany. With high tannin and acidity levels, this wine must age for a long time in oak barrels before release, giving it excellent aging potential. Brunello is the local name for Sangiovese in this region.

Montepulciano, a grape from the Abruzzo region in central Italy, yields dark wines with medium acidity, high tannin content and aromas of black fruits such as plums and cherries. The wines of the DOC Montepulciano d'Abruzzo are particularly well known. The Abruzzo region produces large quantities of inexpensive Montepulciano wines, which are usually simple and fruity and intended for early consumption. However, more concentrated wines from this region can also be aged briefly in oak barrels.

Cabernet Sauvignon: Bordeaux grape variety in the heart of Tuscany

After the revolution of the Super Tuscans in the 1970s, Italian winemakers began to cultivate classic Bordeaux varieties alongside the native Sangiovese. In particular, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot thrive in the southern Maremma region. The impressive Cabernet Sauvignon wines, above all the legendary Sassicaia, are proof of the skill of Tuscan winemakers in producing international quality wines of the highest standard.

Grape varieties for Tuscany white wine

In Tuscany, some white grape varieties have particularly excelled, including Malvasia del Chianti, Moscato Bianco, Vernaccia, Vermentino, Ansonica and Trebbiano Toscano. International varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay have also become established in the region, while Riesling Italico and Pinot Bianco are represented in smaller growing areas.

However, the most important white grape variety in Tuscany is Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which is cultivated northwest of Siena around the medieval ‘city of towers’ of San Gimignano.

Other native varieties also play an important role in Tuscan wine production:

• Trebbiano Toscano, the main component of wines such as Galestro and Vin Santo del Chianti and del Chianti Classico.
• Malvasia Bianca Lunga, a key grape variety for the production of Vin Santo.
• Moscato Bianco, known for the sweet Moscadello di Montalcino.

The wine regions and their appellations

Tuscany is home to eleven prestigious DOCG wines, known for their exceptional quality and diversity. Among the most famous are Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti and Chianti Classico, both appreciated worldwide. Also worthy of mention are Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Morellino di Scansano, which are also Sangiovese-based. Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the region's main white DOCG, while wines such as Carmignano, Montecucco Sangiovese, Suvereto, Val di Cornia Rosso and Elba Aleatico Passito round off the diverse range of top Tuscan wines.

Tuscany offers an impressive variety of wines, coming from 41 different DOC areas. These include well-known names such as Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia and Rosso di Montalcino, as well as historic growing areas such as San Gimignano and Carmignano. Also worth mentioning are the white wines from Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario, Bianco di Pitigliano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Other important DOC areas include Montecucco, Maremma Toscana and Val di Cornia, which emphasise the wide range of Tuscan wine culture. This diversity is perfectly complemented by the traditional Vin Santo wines, which are produced in several DOC areas such as Chianti, Chianti Classico and Montepulciano.

The six IGT wines of Tuscany come from Alta Valle della Greve, Colli della Toscana centrale, Costa Toscana, Montecastelli, Toscano or Toscana and Val di Magra.

The IGT designation, introduced in 1995, offers winemakers in Tuscany and other regions of Italy greater flexibility in wine production compared to the stricter DOC and DOCG requirements. IGT wines are meant to reflect the characteristic geographic and qualitative features of their region of origin, but are not subject to the strict cultivation and production rules that apply to DOC/DOCG wines.

Often, these wines are made from grape varieties not traditionally grown in the region, or they are created through innovative blends that fall outside the classic norms. The IGT category has allowed winemakers to experiment with new grape varieties and techniques, resulting in a wide range of high-quality and creative wines.

The Super Tuscans from Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon

From revolution to icon: in 1971, Marchese Piero Antinori, a skilled winemaker in his 26th generation of winemaking, together with the famous oenologist Giacomo Tachis, took a bold step and created Tignanello.

This extraordinary cuvée, consisting of native Sangiovese and French Cabernet Sauvignon, both aged separately in barriques according to the Bordeaux method, represented a double challenge to traditional Italian wine-growing regulations. Despite its immediate international success, Tignanello was initially only allowed to be sold as Vino da Tavola because it violated existing rules.

In the years that followed, the Maremma produced other renowned Super Tuscans, such as Ornellaia, Masseto, Monteverro and Sassicaia, the latter being the only one to receive DOC recognition (Bolgheri, Sassicaia subzone). For those seeking a true Tuscan cult wine, the Tignanello Toscana IGT from the Tenuta Tignanello (Antinori) is an excellent choice.

Tuscany is world-renowned for its red wines, which combine a rich tradition and diverse flavours. The region, which offers picturesque landscapes, cultural heritage and a rich culinary tradition, is home to some of Italy's most famous wines. These wines are characterised by their elegance, complexity and ability to pair well with a variety of foods.

Perfect pairings: Tuscan wines and their ideal companions

Chianti Classico and Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Chianti Classico is one of the most famous red wines of Tuscany. Medium-bodied with aromas of red fruits and a pleasant acidity, this wine is a perfect match for Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick, grilled steak made from Chianina beef. The structure and tannins of Chianti Classico complement the strong flavours of the meat, creating a harmonious pairing.

Brunello di Montalcino and wild boar stew (cinghiale in umido)

Brunello di Montalcino is a powerful, full-bodied wine made from the Sangiovese Grosso grape. Renowned for its complexity and aging potential, this wine is an excellent match for wild boar stew, a classic Tuscan dish. The intense aromas of the Brunello, including notes of cherry, leather and spices, harmonise perfectly with the rich, spicy flavour of the ragout.

Morellino di Scansano and Pappardelle al Cinghiale

Morellino di Scansano, another Sangiovese-based wine, is known for its fruitiness and soft tannins. This wine is an ideal match for pappardelle al cinghiale, a Tuscan speciality made with broad noodles and wild boar. The Morellino's succulent, fruity notes complement the spicy flavours of the wild boar and tomato sauce often used to prepare this dish.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Pecorino Toscano

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an elegant wine with aromas of plum, cherry and a hint of spice. This wine goes very well with Pecorino Toscano, an aged sheep's cheese from the region. The light spiciness and nutty notes of the pecorino are wonderfully complemented by the fruity and slightly earthy aromas of the vino Nobile.

Rosso di Montalcino and ribollita

Rosso di Montalcino, often referred to as the ‘little brother’ of Brunello, is a fresh and accessible Sangiovese wine. It goes perfectly with ribollita, a traditional Tuscan stew made with bread, beans and vegetables. The lively acidity and fruity aromas of Rosso di Montalcino harmonise well with the hearty, earthy flavours of ribollita.

Buy wine from Tuscany

You can buy the best red wines from Tuscany from renowned winemakers such as Frescobaldi and Allegrini in our online shop. If you want to buy Tuscan wines, we offer a selection of white and red wines from Tuscany, produced by different winemakers.

Frequently asked questions and their answers about wine from Tuscany

What wines are available in Tuscany?

To summarise, it can be said that red wines clearly dominate in the Tuscan wine region. In addition to Sangiovese-based wines, Canaiolo and Merlot are also widespread in this Mediterranean region. Since the rise of the Super Tuscans, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc have also taken on a significant role in Tuscany's wine production.

What do people drink in Tuscany?

Sangiovese, the most important red grape variety in Tuscany, is capable of producing both excellent everyday wines and first-class prestige wines. The region's most famous wines include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Which is the most famous Italian wine?

The most important Italian wines include Barolo, Amarone, Lambrusco, Prosecco, Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Important wine-producing regions in the country include South Tyrol, Piedmont, Lombardy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Tuscany and southern Italy.

What is Tuscany famous for?

Tuscany is famous for its picturesque hilly landscape, characterised by pine trees, cypresses, olive trees and vines. The region's highest mountain is Monte Prado at 2054 metres. Tuscany also has extensive forest areas covering an area of 10,000 km².