Tuscany, with its rolling hills, sun-drenched vineyards, and centuries-old winemaking traditions, is one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Known for its variety of exceptional wines, Tuscany offers something for every wine lover, from robust reds to fresh whites. Let’s dive into the enchanting world of Tuscan wines to understand their types, characteristics, and tips for choosing the perfect bottle.

Types of Tuscan Wines

1. Chianti

Arguably the most famous wine from Tuscany, Chianti is made primarily from Sangiovese grapes. It is produced in the Chianti region, which includes several subzones, such as Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina.

Characteristics: Medium-bodied, with flavors of red cherries, earthiness, and a touch of spice. Younger Chiantis often have bright acidity, while aged Riservas offer more complexity and smoother tannins.

Food Pairing: Perfect with classic Italian dishes like pasta with tomato-based sauces, roasted meats, and aged cheeses.

2. Brunello di Montalcino

Produced exclusively in Montalcino and made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes, Brunello is one of Tuscany’s most prestigious wines.

Characteristics: Full-bodied, with notes of dark fruit, leather, tobacco, and a touch of balsamic. It’s known for its rich structure and remarkable aging potential.

Food Pairing: Ideal with hearty dishes like bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar ragu, or truffle-infused dishes.

3. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

This elegant wine hails from Montepulciano and is crafted primarily from the Prugnolo Gentile variety of Sangiovese.

Characteristics: Medium to full-bodied, offering notes of red berries, violets, and subtle spices. It’s softer than Brunello but equally refined.

Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with roasted game, risottos, and mushroom-based dishes.

4. Super Tuscans

A modern innovation, Super Tuscans are high-quality wines that often blend Sangiovese with international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.

Characteristics: Bold, full-bodied wines with rich flavors of blackcurrant, chocolate, and spice. They are complex, with silky tannins and excellent aging potential.

Food Pairing: Excellent with grilled meats, stews, or even dark chocolate desserts.

5. Vernaccia di San Gimignano

A standout among Tuscany’s whites, Vernaccia is produced in the charming medieval town of San Gimignano.

Characteristics: Crisp and dry, with flavors of green apple, citrus, and almond. It has a refreshing minerality and a slightly bitter finish.

Food Pairing: Wonderful with seafood, light pasta dishes, and fresh salads.

6. Vin Santo

A traditional dessert wine, Vin Santo is made from dried grapes (often Trebbiano and Malvasia) and aged in small barrels.

Characteristics: Sweet and nutty, with flavors of dried apricots, honey, and caramel. It’s often served with cantucci (almond biscotti).

Food Pairing: A delightful end to any meal, paired with desserts or enjoyed on its own.

Characteristics of Tuscan Wines

Sangiovese’s Dominance: The cornerstone of most Tuscan reds, Sangiovese offers vibrant acidity, firm tannins, and a spectrum of flavors ranging from red fruits to earthy and herbal notes.

Terroir: Tuscany’s diverse microclimates and soils, from sandy coastal plains to clay and limestone-rich hills, give its wines a unique sense of place.

Aging Potential: Many Tuscan wines, especially Brunello and Super Tuscans, age beautifully, developing complexity and depth over time.

How to Choose the Perfect Tuscan Wine

Consider the Occasion: Are you looking for a casual wine to enjoy with pizza or an elegant bottle for a special celebration? For everyday drinking, Chianti is an excellent choice. For more formal occasions, opt for Brunello or a Super Tuscan.

Understand the Labels:

DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita is the highest quality classification.

DOC: Denominazione di Origine Controllata indicates a high-quality wine with slightly fewer restrictions.

IGT: Indicazione Geografica Tipica allows for more experimental blends, like Super Tuscans.

Match with Food: Pairing is key to enhancing the wine’s flavors. For example, a tomato-based pasta dish pairs wonderfully with Chianti, while a rich stew calls for the depth of a Super Tuscan.

Try Before You Buy: If possible, visit a Tuscan winery or a wine shop offering tastings. This allows you to explore different styles and find what suits your palate.

Look for Age: While some wines, like Chianti, are delightful when young, others, such as Brunello, benefit from aging. Check the vintage and consider whether you prefer a fresh, fruity profile or more developed, complex notes.

Tuscan Wine Culture: More Than Just a Drink

In Tuscany, wine is more than a beverage; it’s a way of life. Each glass tells a story of the land, the climate, and the people who have perfected their craft over generations. Whether you’re savoring a bold Brunello or a crisp Vernaccia, Tuscan wines invite you to slow down, connect with your surroundings, and embrace the simple pleasures of life.

The 5 finest wines in our wine cellar

Our bartender Ranjula Wickram has carefully selected the best wines from our cantina, each telling a unique story of Tuscany’s rich winemaking heritage.

1- Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy’s most prestigious red wines, renowned for its elegance, depth, and exceptional aging potential. It is produced exclusively in the Montalcino region of Tuscany, where the climate and soil create the perfect conditions for 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes.

This grape variety has thicker skins, giving the wine full bodied structure, rich flavors, and strong tannins, which improve with time. By law, Brunello must be aged for at least 5 years before release (6 years for Riserva), with a minimum of 2 years in oak barrels.

This long aging process enhances its complexity, developing notes of ripe red fruit, spices, leather, and earth, making it one of the finest and most collectible wines in the world.

2- Il Bruciato

Il Bruciato is a renowned Super Tuscan wine from the Bolgheri region in Tuscany, known for its modern style, rich flavors, and smooth texture. It is produced by Tenuta Guado al Tasso, part of the prestigious Antinori family estates.

This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, giving it a full-bodied structure, soft tannins, and deep fruit flavors. The warm coastal climate of Bolgheri helps the grapes ripen perfectly, enhancing their richness and complexity.

Il Bruciato is aged for about 8 months in oak barrels, followed by bottle aging, whichrefines its flavors. It is approachable when young, offering ripe berry, spice, and chocolate notes, making it an elegant yet easy to drink wine, perfect for both casual and fine dining

3- Colognole: Vigna Le Rogaie Terre Electae Riserva 2020

The Vigna Le Rogaie Terre Electae Riserva 2020 is a prestigious wine from the Chianti Rufina region, crafted by the esteemed Colognole estate, renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition. This wine is celebrated for its balance of elegance, freshness, and tannic complexity. Made from 100% Sangiovese, it embodies the strong identity of the territory, offering impressive equilibrium and remarkable aging potential.

Colognole’s dedication and the unique terroir of the high hillside vineyards bring  out the wine’s vibrant acidity, refined tannins, and layered flavors. Its careful aging process develops rich notes of ripe fruits, spices, and earthy undertones, making it a standout expression of Chianti Rufina’s excellence in winemaking.

4- Il Braccesca

Il Braccesca is a prestigious wine estate located in the Montepulciano and Cortona regions of Tuscany, owned by the renowned Antinori family. This estate produces high quality wines that reflect the unique characteristics of two distinct terroirs: Montepulciano, home to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Cortona, known for its Syrah based wines.

Il Braccesca wines are crafted with a focus on elegance, structure, and balance, combining tradition with innovation. The estate’s commitment to careful vineyard management and winemaking techniques ensures that each bottle showcases the full potential of the Sangiovese and Syrah grapes. With rich, layered flavors of ripe fruit, spices, and a refined tannic structure, Il Braccesca stands out as a symbol of Tuscan excellence in winemaking

5- AURUM COLATUM – Diadema Toscana

Diadema Toscana is a luxurious Tuscan wine that represents the perfect union of tradition and innovation. Made with Sangiovese, blended harmoniously with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, it offers a wine rich in elegance, structure, and complexity, embodying the best of Tuscan winemaking traditions.

With its deep purplish-red color, the wine releases an aromatic bouquet of cassis, blackberry, lily of the valley, wild rose, candied violet, and lavender, complemented by subtle notes of Tuscan herbs, mustard, and black pepper. This intricate flavor profile and refined balance make Diadema Toscana a standout example of Tuscan excellence.