Alongside the classic Italian wines, Tuscany is famous for producing a raft of award-winning native wines, taking advantage of unique topographies like the dense turf around the Apennine Mountains and coastal plains of the Tyrrhenian Sea while rediscovering the flavours of summer through the local grape varieties.
A true inspiration for the European wine scene, Tuscany has been the go-to destination for Sangiovese-based dry red wines or the famed Super Tuscans made in a traditional environment that doesn’t shy away from appreciating contemporary styles such as the influence of Bordeaux.
With a seemingly endless list of appealing wines from this region, we have rounded up some of our favourite, summer-centric flavours with brief tasting notes to inspire your next order.
Chianti Classico
One of Italy’s most dynamic wine regions right now is Tuscany and the surrounding region of the Tyrrhenian coast. The region’s impressive reputation for fine Italian red wines is built upon the ability to produce a wide range of high-quality table and premium varieties.
Chianti Classico is a prime example of this skill. While the broader classification of Chianti wines refers to the low-cost, basic wines best imbibed during a meal, the Chianti Classico can transport you to the heartland between Siena and Florence—the only place that can produce this wine.
Top flavour notes include an effervescent acidity on a base of fruity cherry.
Wineries to visit:
Tignanello 2015
Another dark-berried vine variety that reflects Tuscany’s commitment to wine growing, 2015 Tignanello is a perfect blend for your gourmet meals. Made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a contemporary red wine and a first of its kind with non-traditional grapes. It’s vivid mahogany in colour and has big-hitting top notes of blackberries alongside wild herbs—think ripe fruit, cassis and liquorice.
Winery to visit:
- Antinori nel Chianti Classico. More Here
Le Macchiole Messorio
Located in the countryside of central Tuscany, Bolgheri’s sloping coastal vineyards and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea mean this corner of the Tuscan coast produces some of Italy’s boldest red wines and rosés. With modest acidity and a fruity aroma that fills the airy top, Le Macchiole Messorio is often characterised by the sweet, spicy notes on the nose.
Flaccianello della Pieve 2006
The Chianti region’s unique topography and rich mountainous soils lend some impressive flavours to its exclusive producers bringing Tuscan wines onto the global stage.
We loved this Fontodi Flaccianello—a particularly vivacious medium to full-bodied sip made with 100% Sangiovese. It’s a well-balanced wine with fine-grained tannins, pairing fruit, spice, and herbal notes of cedar on a background of very ripe cherry notes.
Winery to visit:
Brunello di Montalcino
Nestled on a Tuscan hilltop just 30 kilometres from the Siena, the slopes around Montalcino is home to an unshared plantation of Sangiovese Grosso grapes. This strain forms the exclusive component of an impressive full-bodied Brunello di Montalcino.
This red DOCG Italian wine, garnet-hued apex, is tailor-made for the summer season with a light fruity aroma in the foreground supported by layers of spice and vanilla. The bright acidity and modest tannin formation are often paired with Italian seafood and aperitivo hour cuisines, bringing a broad appreciation for this flagship wine.
Winery to visit:
- Azienda Agricola Patrizia Cencioni More Here
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
A distinguished Italian classic that would often compete on the shelves with Chianti and Brunello, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a celebrated red from the town of Montepulciano. Crafted predominantly from the Sangiovese variety of Prugnolo Gentile, Nobile’s refreshing acidity and brilliant age-worthiness is a fine way to transport your senses to Tuscany’s sunny vine regions. This wine packs in plenty of bright red fruit aromas and a hit of cherry fruit flavours.
Winery to visit:
- Le Bèrne – Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. More Here
Sassicaia
A timeless Super Tuscan from the winemaker Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia’s unique Bordeaux-inspired french accent is an iconic, unconventional blend. This delightful award-winning wine features all the refreshing, full-bodied red fruit flavours we’ve expected from the Tuscan region – soft tannins and a satisfying palate of cedar and cassis notes ideal for sunny days.
Winery to visit:
- Tenuta San Guido Winey. More Here
