Tuscany

Tuscany is one of those regions that deserves special attention: perhaps because it is a powerful producer and exporter of bottles (once flasks) of good red wine, such as Chianti DOCG or Chianti Classico DOCG; perhaps because it is home to some of the best oenology products, which are the prestige of Italy abroad, such as Brunello di Montalcino DOCG or Sassicaia Bolgheri DOC; perhaps because its wines recall the genuineness of a territory oriented to traditions, such as Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG or Vernaccia di San Giminiano DOCG; or perhaps, no less important to attract the interest of all winelovers, because it has a territory that perfectly interprets the collective imagination of the vineyard. I would say that all this is not a little.

In order to extricate ourselves from the articulated world of Tuscan denominations, 11 DOCG, 40 DOC and 6 IGT, it is better to divide the region in two parts. The most central area, around the cities of Florence and Siena, and the western area, roughly corresponding with the provinces of Pisa, Livorno and Grosseto.

Central Tuscany

Central Tuscany represents the most classic part and the ancient heart of the Tuscan enological tradition, connected above all to Sangiovese grapes; Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Carmignano DOCG, Chianti Classico DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG are the best known interpreters of this vine that can give red wines of great value and longevity.

Even in the middle of this multitude of red wine, Vernaccia di Sangiminiano DOCG can be noticed with its straw yellow wine; the fame of the homonymous native vine, once used for local use, has today crossed the regional borders like its red "relatives".

Western Tuscany

Moving towards the sea, towards milder and looser soil areas, the variety of grapes used increases, but does not change the vocation towards red wines. In the province of Livorno we find one of the finest (and expensive) Italian wines, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC, produced with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. A little further south, the island of Elba hosts Aleatico, a semi-aromatic vine used to produce Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG, a sweet red passito wine. In the province of Grosseto, the good old Sangiovese still plays an important role, with two well-known interpretations, Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG and Morellino di Scansano DOCG.

Among the (few) white wines, we can certainly remember the Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario DOC, based on Ansonica, Bianco di Pitigliano DOC and San Torpé Bianco DOC, both based on Trebbiano Toscano grapes.