Super Tuscans

As the not-overly-Italian sounding name suggests, Super Tuscans are not an official category of Tuscan wine. They came about in large part due to what was perceived to be the restrictive DOC practices which ordered that Chianti wines must be comprised of at most 70% Sangiovese as well as at least 10% of one of the local white wine grapes. Producers instead decided to bypass the rules in order to create what they – and later many others – considered to be superior wines.

A Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon blend known as Tignanello has been used to produce many of the best Super Tuscans over the years. This is an example of a so-called “Bordeaux blend” that utilises grapes more commonly found in the famous French wine region, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Chianti

Still often served in many Tuscan eateries in a traditional fiasco, a round-bottomed bottle that is partially or wholly covered with a straw basket, Chianti wines are evocative of Tuscany. Based around the Sangiovese grape variety, Chianti wines are produced in several overlapping regions, which can be confusing when looking at labels. Add to that the separate DOCG classification of Chianti Classico, which comes from the largest of the Chianti sub-regions, and the waters are muddied still further.

The good news is that if you pick up a DOCG-designated Chianti from any of the sub-regions you are likely to be rewarded with a wine well worth drinking. Which specific option you prefer comes down to personal taste of course, but you can’t go far wrong with the medium bodied, cherry tones and bewitching aromas of the Chianti Classico wines.

Vin Santo

There are a number of fine dessert wines to be found in Italy, but Vin Santo is considered by many to be the best of them. Usually produced from the Trebbiano and Malvasia grape varieties, occasionally the local classic Sangiovese is thrown into the mix to produce a rosé wine.

Once harvested, the grapes are dried on straw mats in warm rooms to allow the desiccation process to concentrate the sugars. Some Vin Santo wines can be very dry, but the sweeter options are the ones to have turned heads over the years. They can also be fortified with grape spirit to produce Vin Santo Liquoroso.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

As the name suggests, this wine is produced from the Vernaccia grape in, or near to, the walled medieval hill town of San Gimignano. With one of the most archetypally Tuscan skyline views there is, the UNESCO World Heritage-recognised town is well worth a visit whether you are a fan of its top quality white wine or not. But oenophiles have even greater cause to pay a visit as this tipple is one of the best whites produced anywhere in Italy, as recognised in 1993 when it was upgraded to DOCG status.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Another DOCG wine, and another making very good use of the Sangiovese grape, with the addition of Canaiolo Nero, and some other local varieties. Aged for at least a year in oak barrels, plus at least one additional year, there are flavours galore to savour here and this is often great value for money too.