Tuscan wines: rating of the best, types, classification, taste, composition, approximate price and drinking rules

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Everyone knows the famous Italian cities of Siena and Florence, which were glorified by great people of art, science, philosophy and more. The mountainous area is known for its wide-ranging hills with plantations owned by farmers located on them. Tuscany, whose capital is the city of Florence, is famous for its vineyards and Tuscan wines. Here, the largest areas are allocated for plantations compared to other regions.

A bit of history

Etruscans were still engaged in winemaking in Tuscany. Ancient Rome became the heir to the culture of strong drink production, and the strong rise of this tradition began in the 12th century, when the number of plantations increased in this territory. In 1282, a community of winemakers and wine merchants appeared. As production increased, so did new clones. At the same time, such grape varieties as Greco, Aleatico, Trebbiano and Malvasia began to gain popularity. In the middle of the 18th century, a scientific association was organized, whichIt was called "Geogrophilia Academy". Its appearance gave impetus to improve the quality of the wine produced. The Chianti formula was born thanks to Bettino Ricasoli and the research he carried out at his 19th century winery in Brolio.

Today the area of Tuscan vineyards is 64,000 hectares. The wines produced here are dry red - 80%, included in the DOC category - 60%.

Most famous

Here are the few famous Tuscan wines whose names are known to any connoisseur:

• Chianti ("Chianti") - the most famous wine in Italy;
• Brunello di Montalcino (Brunello di Montalcino) - originally created with the aim of obtaining the title of "the most expensive Italian wine";
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano ("Nobile di Montepulciano";
• Vernaccia di San Gimignano - owes its name to a town near Siena called San Gimignano.

These wines are DOCG. This is the highest qualifying category of Italian drinks, which guarantees the wine production method and its geographical origin.

Chianti

Since 2011, Chianti has launched a program to grow and use the best varieties of Sangiovese grapes. This species, according to some reports, was cultivated in Tuscany by the Etruscans. The Italian name "Sangiovese" comes from the Latin "sanguis Jovis" - "Jupiter's blood".

Sangiovese is part of Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano in equal proportions with Canaiolo (Italian red industrial grapes). In the 1970s, there were winemakers in Tuscany who rebelled against the traditional production of strong drink. It was with their easy submission that Cabernet Sauvignon and Barrique were introduced into the technology. The second is a special wine-making modern culture. As a result of such innovations, drinks were born that became collectively referred to as "Super Tuscan" or the best Tuscan wines.

The borders of the Chianti zone were established in 1716, and expanded in 1932. The vineyards of this area stretch from Florence to Siena. The main variety cultivated here is Sangiovese.

Not so long ago, Carmignano winemakers asked for permission to use their product names instead of Chianti, because these drinks were known as far back as the 14th century. Today Carmignano is classified as DOCG.

Historic Farms of Tuscany

1. The oldest dynasties include the aristocratic Antinori family. A document from 1385 says that Giovanni di Pietro Antinori produces wines.
2. Frescobaldi, who have been working with grapes since the 14th century.
3. Mazzei who have been making wine in Carmignano since the 14th century.
4. Biondi Santi, in whose Greppo winery the famous Brunello di Montalcino was born. The family's vineyards spread over 25 hectares.
5. The Ricasoli family has been producing wine since 1141 at Broglio Castle.
6. Tenuta de Verrazzano have been making wine since 1150. The Verrazzano vineyard is mentioned in a document from the same year. Until 1819, the vineyards belonged to the Verrazzano family, then passed to the Ridolfi family, and in 1958 to the Cappellini.
7. Nobile di Montepulciano was produced at the Cantucci winery, owned by the Cantucci family.
8. Abbadia Argenda of Montalcino once belonged to the Piccolomini family. It was from this family that Pope Pius II came out, famous for founding the city of Pienza. Vineyards have grown around the castle throughout its history. In 1934 they were renovated, and today they occupy 10 hectares of land. Mostly Sangiovese is grown here.

Varieties and styles

Tuscany is a red wine region, in particular dry wine, in which the Sangiovese grape variety is of great importance. For the manufacture of Chianti, varieties of plants with small berries are used. But the variety with large, large fruits - Sangiovese grosso, is used to produce red Tuscan wines Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Chianti was actually created by Baron Ricasoli a hundred years ago. This is a young Tuscan wine, the taste of which is slightly harsh, piquantly fresh, herbaceous and spicy and perfectly quenches thirst. It is drunk in the bars of Florence from straw-woven fiascos, which are hardly used nowadays, unfortunately.

Innovators almost destroyed the famous taste of Chianti, using up to 30% white trebbiano in the blend, which gave the wine an orange-a sour taste that gave no pleasure. The DOCG banned the addition of white varieties to Chianti and allowed a maximum of 10% of other red grapes to be added.

Earlier mentioned wine with a deep and rich taste - Brunello di Montalcino - the most expensive in Italy, which devastates the bank accounts of grape connoisseurs. It is made from Sangiovese grapes planted in cool places with poor soils.

It is impossible to single out the producers of the best Tuscan wines. For Brunello di Montalcino, these are Poggio Antico, Altesino, Costanti, Talenti, Col d'Orcia and others. For Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, these are Boscarelli, Le Cas alte, Trerose, Avignonesi, Poliziano.

By the way, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Sangiovese with a slight addition of Mammolo. There is also a more modern version of Rosso di Montepulciano, which belongs to the DOC classification, but the best producers remain faithful to the DOCG class wines.

Every self-respecting grape estate produces at least one brand of table wine Vino da Tavola. Cabernet Sauvignon, Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Gamay are added to these drinks.

Trebbiano-Tuscano is grown for the production of Tuscan white wines. This variety gives an excellent harvest. Refreshing, clean wines are made from it, which, unfortunately, do not have a memorable taste. The addition of Chardonnay and Malvasia makes these examples more or less decent. The best manufacturers include Rufino, Caparzo, Isole e Olena, Felsina, Manzano, Avignonesi. The most interesting white wine in Tuscany comes from Vernaccia grapes. San Gimignano, a DOCG, is a dry white with a slight honey note, a nutty flavor and a strong fruity aroma. Manufacturers worth paying attention to are Ambra delle Torri, Pietraserena, Falchini, Montenidoli, San Quirico, Vagnoni, La Torre, Teruzzi & Puthod.

Zonality of Chianti

Chianti is divided into 7 zones, the best and most famous of which is Chianti Classico. Today, all Tuscan wines are produced by the estates of dedicated winegrowers. However, merchants have difficulty in buying quality wine. This is due to the large production of products and its huge popularity. This is one of the reasons for the fall in the standards of Tuscan wines. Cooperatives, which include many small winegrowers, cannot boast of high quality wine, but those who are committed to national values are striving to change this situation.

If you see the word Classico on a bottle of Tuscan wine, know that this is a drink from the most tightly controlled Chianti zone. On copies from individual estates, you can find the inscription Vino da Tavola, which indicates extra quality. Cheap wines are labeled the same way. Therefore, the extra quality of a drink labeled Vino da Tavola is indicated by its price. The word Riserva testifies to the brand of the highest quality, but with the exception of eminent manufacturers. And most often this means that the wine has lost its fruity notes and has become drier.

Taste

Traditionally in Tuscany there are three main areas of redvin.

First and most famous are the young red Chianti drinks, which are meant to be aggressive, fresh, bittersweet, and best enjoyed with meals, within the first year of production.

The second destination includes wines from Montalcino, Chianti and Montepulciano bottled on the estates. These are rich strong drinks, with a strong cherry aroma, a pleasant aftertaste of blackcurrant and spices.

The third direction is Riserva and Vino da Tavola. The best of them are refined, with rich berry bouquets and the sharpness that Sangiovese gives them.

Prices for Tuscan wines are very different and depend on the brand of wine and the producer. Thus, "Brunello de Montalcino" will cost $650 per liter, and Chianti Classico Riserva - $35 per liter. Of course, the quality and price will depend on the grape varieties used in the blend.

Brunello di Montalcino is made only from red Sangiovese. A variety of "Brunello" is a clone that is used to make wine. It is aged 5 years from the date of harvest. The Riserva version has been defended for 6 years, of which two years in oak barrels and six months in bottle. The alcohol content must not be below 12%.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Prugnolo Gentile Sangiovese. It is kept for at least two years. In 2015, more than 7 million bottles were produced, of which 80% were exported. The most popular markets are USA, Switzerland, Germany.

Squarevineyards is 22 km 2. They employ 250 farmers. The wine is bottled by 90 producers, 76 of which are members of the wine consortium.

What to drink them with?

In Tuscany, almost no meal is complete without a glass of good wine. With everyday dishes, with meat and poultry, with spices and olive oil, young Chianti goes well. But Rosso di Montalcino will go well with more complex and sophisticated dishes. The dense wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as Chianti Riserva, thanks to their strong fruity tone, will be a great option for hearty roasted game. Varieties of these drinks, which have a less fruity taste, are suitable for pasta, casseroles and cheese.

Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator singled out the golden ten in the ranking of Tuscan wines. It includes:

• Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Montosoli, 2010
• Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Grandi Annate, 2011
• Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura Riserva, 2008
• Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Castello di Brolio, 2006
• Bibi Graetz Toscana Colore, 2008
• Biondi Santi-Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Greppo, 2008
• Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Cerret alto, 2008
• Castellare di Castellina Toscana I Sodi di San Niccolo, 2011
• Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico Riserva, 2010
• Castello di Ama Toscana L'Apparita, 2008.

Holy Wine Vin Santo

In addition to dry wines, Tuscany has become famous andDessert drinks made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, deliberately dried in the sun. Harvest is laid out on special metal pallets or hung on threads.

Trebbiano is a technical white grape variety. It is the second most common in the world. In addition to wine, it is also used for the production of cognac. It was known in Italy during the Roman Empire.

Malvasia is a family of white grape varieties. In ancient times, it was widely distributed on the islands of the Aegean Sea. A sweet Greek liqueur wine of the same name.

Wine Mate

The history of the Mate winery begins in 1990. The author of the books "Vineyards of Tuscany" and "Hills of Tuscany", Ferenc Mate, left New York with his wife for Tuscany. With the money they earned, in 1993 they bought an abandoned farm in Santa Restituta. Tuscan wine Mate became famous first in Italy, and then throughout the world. And judging by the archaeological finds, ancient Roman vineyards were located on the site of the winery and farm Mate 2,000 years ago. And today you can see the remains of the old road leading to the plantations.

Reviews and recommendations

Of course, according to reviews of Tuscan wines, it becomes obvious that Chianti is very popular. But you should pay attention to other wines.

Aleatico's red vine is used overwhelmingly for the production of dessert wines. Experts still cannot agree onorigin of this variety, but most likely it is Greece. The wine to try is Elba Aleatico Passito (DOCG).

The Malvasia Bianca Lunga grape has been cultivated for centuries in the hills near Chianti. This vine is now rarely used, as the DOCG has banned the use of more than 10% white grapes. The taste of Vin Santo Berardenga-Felsina is worth knowing.

The Colorino grape type grows in the areas of Valdarano, Val di Pesa and Val d'Elsa. The grapes are rich in color and give the wine a rich taste. It is proposed to enjoy the taste of "Colorino IGT Tuscany".

Chianti is made using Canaiolo grapes. But besides it, you can buy wine "Pietraviva Canaiolo Nero" (DOC).

In the Maremma region, in the coastal zone of Grosseto, the Ciliegiolo grape grows. Its name comes from the name of the cherry (Chilleja) due to the large red berries with a slight cherry flavor. It is worth trying the wine "Cilieggiolo Toscano Rosso DOC Camillo Principio".