Tuscan red wine a guessed choice
The red wines of Tuscany, the wines of a region of excellence at an international level.
Tuscany is a region that has many climatic influences due to its particular location, it is an extraordinary region, it is also the beating heart of wine-making Italy and the center of the most important export hubs. It is not homogeneous climatically and geologically it is divided into various areas and each area has its own soil and the quality of its wine is affected by this peculiar feature.In Tuscany we find very different soils: Gravel, limestone and above all clay outcrops.
In almost all vineyards there is a rocky, schist soil, called galestro in some areas. The soil is a fundamental element that gives particular qualities to the wine.
In Tuscany the summers are long lasting and not very rainy, the winters are not as rigid as in the North. These factors are decisive for the ripening of the grape and its quality. The vineyards are usually located on the slopes which have natural drainage and good insolation.
Most of the Tuscan red wines are based on Sangiovese grapes, this factor is certainly the most decisive for the different qualities of wine in the Tuscan territory. for the size of the grape they are called Sangiovese Grosso and Sangiovese Piccolo.
Sangiovese Grosso is the base of Brunello di Montalcino.
Sangiovese Piccolo is the base of Morellino di Scansano and many Chianti.
However among the most famous wines of the region there are the Supertuscans such as Sassicaia which was born after many experiments with the classic French vines based on Cabernet Sauvignon, but the best producers are looking for the best techniques to increase the fruit and the accessibility of the their noble autochthonous grapes.
The finest wines in Tuscany
- Brunello di Montalcino,
- the Noble of Montepulciano,
- Morellino di Scansano,
- The Chianti Classico Riserva,
- Bolgheri.
Initially the Chianti was mixed with white berried grapes although now we try to vinify it completely with red berried grapes in order to preserve the flavors of cherry, raspberries and ripe fruits.
To be defined as Chianti before 1995, they must contain between 75% and 90% of Sangiovese grapes, with the possible addition of black Canaiolo (5-10%), Trebbiano or Malvasia (5-10%), cabernet, or another variety of red berried grapes up to a maximum of 10%.
Today it is possible to vinify a Chianti even with 100% Sangiovese grapes.
There are 9 Docg (controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin). They are:
Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Montecucco Sangiovese, Morellino di Scansano, Suvereto, Val di Cornia red, Nobile di Montepulciano wine
These are the DOC:
Royal Barco of Carmignano, Bolgheri, Capalbio, Colli dell'Etruria Centrale, Colli di Luni, Colline Lucchesi, Cortona, Elba, Grance Senesi, Tuscan Maremma, Montecarlo, Montecucco, Monteregio di Massa Marittima, Montescudaio, Orcia, Pomino, Parrina, Rosso di Monalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Sant'antimo, Sovana, Terratico di Bibbona, Terre di Casole, Terre di Pisa, Val D'arbia, Val d'Arno above, Val di Cornia, Valdichiana, Valdinievole.