Tuscany

Tuscany: Sangiovese country, and much more

Tuscany is central Italy's most famous wine region. Inland, on the hills between Florence, Siena and Montalcino, it is Sangiovese country: reds with lively acidity that are made for the table. On the coast, around Bolgheri, a newer tradition built on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc has produced some of Italy's most sought-after wines.

The main zones

• Chianti Classico: the historic heart of Chianti, between Florence and Siena. Look for the black rooster. The ladder runs from Chianti Classico to Riserva to Gran Selezione. See Chianti & Chianti Classico.
• Montalcino: home of Brunello di Montalcino, 100% Sangiovese and one of Italy's longest-lived reds, and of the younger, earlier-drinking Rosso di Montalcino.
• Montepulciano: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Sangiovese-based red from the hilltop town, sits between Chianti Classico and Brunello in weight.
• Bolgheri and the coast: Cabernet- and Merlot-based reds under the Bolgheri DOC and IGT Toscana. Ornellaia, Le Macchiole and Antinori's Guado al Tasso are here, with Tenuta di Biserno and Tua Rita nearby.
• Maremma: Morellino di Scansano, a softer style of Sangiovese, ready sooner.

For the grape itself, see our Sangiovese range.

Super Tuscans

"Super Tuscan" is an informal name for ambitious reds made outside the traditional rules and usually labelled IGT Toscana. Some are pure Sangiovese, such as Fontodi's Flaccianello and Isole e Olena's Cepparello. Others use French grapes: Masseto and Tua Rita's Redigaffi are Merlot, Le Macchiole's Paleo Rosso is Cabernet Franc, and Scrio and Tua Rita's Per Sempre are Syrah.

Whites and Vin Santo

Tuscany is mostly red, but we stock whites from Fontodi (an old-vine Trebbiano), Isole e Olena (Chardonnay), Antinori and Corzano e Paterno; see Tuscan white wine. Vin Santo, made from grapes dried after harvest, is Tuscany's traditional sweet wine; you'll find it here and in sweet wine.

Producers we stock

Fontodi, Isole e Olena, Antinori, Castello Romitorio, Argiano, Uccelliera, Voliero, Tenuta di Arceno, Corzano e Paterno, Tenuta Luce, Ornellaia, Masseto, Le Macchiole, Tenuta di Biserno, Tua Rita and Tenuta San Guido (Le Difese).

What you get at each price

• Under $60: Chianti, Rosso di Montalcino, Vino Nobile, Morellino and everyday Tuscan IGT reds and whites.
• $60 to $150: Chianti Classico and Riserva, Bolgheri Rosso and entry-level Brunello (from around $130).
• $150 to $500: single-vineyard Brunello, Gran Selezione, Flaccianello, Cepparello and the leading Bolgheri and coastal reds.
• $500 and up: Masseto, Redigaffi, Solaia, Brunello Riserva and large formats, including magnums.

Label terms

• DOCG / DOC / IGT (or IGP): Italy's appellation levels, from strictest to most flexible. Many of Tuscany's most expensive wines are IGT by choice.
• Classico: the original historic heart of a zone.
• Riserva: longer minimum ageing before release.
• Gran Selezione: the top tier of Chianti Classico.
• Rosso di…: the younger, earlier-release wine of a zone.
• Toscana: the region-wide IGT used by most Super Tuscans.

Buying by the case, and wines on request

Tuscan reds are made for the table, which makes them ideal to buy by the case. Delivery is free over $500. We order from many suppliers when you order, so if a vintage, estate or bottle size isn't listed, ask us and we'll try to source it.

Tuscan wine FAQs

What is the most famous Tuscan wine?

Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino, both made from Sangiovese, are Tuscany's best-known wines. Bolgheri's Cabernet- and Merlot-based reds are the most famous of the newer styles.

What does Super Tuscan mean?

It is an informal name for high-quality Tuscan reds made outside the traditional DOC and DOCG rules, usually labelled IGT Toscana. They may be pure Sangiovese or based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Syrah.

What is the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?

Chianti Classico is a separate DOCG from the original, historic zone between Florence and Siena, with stricter rules. Chianti is a larger surrounding area with several sub-zones.

What is Vin Santo?

Vin Santo is Tuscany's traditional dessert wine, made from grapes dried after harvest to concentrate their sugar and then aged for several years. It is often served with cantucci biscuits.