Baccoleno, Tuscany | Image credit: Antonio Cinotti/Flickr
Contrary to all the rules and regulations, rights and wrongs, dos and don’ts that seem to govern wine culture today, some of the greatest Italian wines were actually born from the experiments of a bunch of misfit rogue winemakers. This is perhaps best illustrated by the birth of the Super Tuscans, a category of high-quality Italian wines that owe their existence to an audacious movement that broke all the rules of its time – rules that would otherwise have caged their evolution. A wine tasting through the sun-drenched vineyards of Tuscany will unravel their origin story, a fascinating tale of passion and ambition that begins with the bold experiments of spirited young winemakers like Mario Incisa della Rocchetta and Piero Antinori.
Craving more wine wisdom? Go beyond Tuscany to immerse yourself in the exhilaratingly enigmatic world of French wine.
Uncorking the legacy of Rocchetta and Antinori in the Tuscan wine bottle
A wine cellar in Castellina, Chianti | Image credit: Rob & Lisa Meehan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“A ‘governed’ wine would go sour, just like in any other country in the world,” Rocchetta’s father would tell him, planting a revolutionary seed in the young man’s mind that would lead him to create one of the world’s most celebrated wines. A fan of Bordeaux-style blends, Rocchetta introduced a French grape variety – Cabernet Sauvignon – to his Tuscan vineyards as early as the 1940s, a groundbreaking move for his time, claiming Cabernet “has the bouquet I have been searching for”. A dreamer with an artistic and adventurous spirit, his detailed experiments would lead to the birth of a wine he called ‘Sassicaia’, named after the stony, rocky soil of its terroir. By the 1960s, it was one of the first and most renowned Super Tuscans; fast forward several years, and its 2015 vintage was revered by wine guides worldwide as one of the world’s best wines.
Super Tuscans – the Antinori Tiganello | Image credit: Janine Cheung/Flickr
When Piero Antinori took over his family vineyards in the 1960s, Italian wines – under the strict regulations of Chianti Classico’s DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) – were not highly regarded and had spiralled in reputation and price. Valuing quality over conformity, Antinori wanted to change this and decided to break the DOC’s rules, and like Rocchetta, he incorporated international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and later Cabernet Franc in his wines, alongside the government-sanctioned indigenous grapes. On the advice of his friend Émile Peynaud, a French oenologist, Antinori stopped using the inferior white grapes that were a DOC requirement for Chianti Classico, and also started aging the wines in new oak (oak barrels that have never been used before), specifically in the small barriques used in Bordeaux as opposed to the traditional large, wooden botti barrels of Tuscany. His family vineyards, particularly the Tignanello estate, became his viticultural playground. Even though all this meant Antinori’s wine was demoted to table wine status and couldn’t officially be called Chianti Classico, the results were spectacular. Tignanello – as he named the wine, to reflect the unique terroir of its birthplace – was released in 1971 to much success, further igniting the Super Tuscan movement and revolutionising Italian wine production.
Though Rocchetta and Antinori’s defiance initially stirred up much controversy, regulatory bodies eventually eased their rules to evolve, leading to a true renaissance in Italian wine. It’s safe to say that winemaking is often more an art than a science.
To explore more, check out this story on planning a trip to Bordeaux, the French city best known for its wine.
Best time of year for a wine tasting through Tuscany
Tuscany | Image credit: Thomas Fabian, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tuscany comes alive during grape harvest season, which lasts from late summer to autumn, usually between September and October. Locally called vendemmia, this tradition of celebrating harvest season brings wine festivals, tours, and special wine tastings aplenty — it’s a magical time to be drunk in Tuscany. The stunning hues of red, gold, and orange as the autumn leaves turn colour only add to its bucolic beauty.
Spring, between April and May, is also a lovely time to go wine-tasting in the Tuscan countryside. With the vines in bloom and just starting to bud, you’ll have the chance to taste new vintages in the making. The entire countryside is a patchwork of fresh growth, with cypress trees dating back to the 19th century starting to blossom, and ancient olive groves, hills and vineyards dotted with wildflowers like poppies, lavender and daisies. It’s also a time of flower festivals, almost too quaint to stomach, and charming fairs teeming with local music, art and food. The arrival of fresh spring produce like asparagus, artichokes, and clematis flowers means traditional Tuscan dishes like frittata di Vitalba (frittata made with the tips of young clematis flowers that grow wild in the Tuscan woods) are popular around the countryside.
Explore our season-wise guide on the best time to visit Italy and its myriad moods for more details.
Italian wine appellations: What DOCG, DOC, and IGT on the labels mean
Sunrise over Tuscany | Image credit: Diana Robinson/Flickr
DOCG, DOC, and IGT all refer to different appellations – legally defined and protected wine regions that follow set rules to produce quality wines typical of the land. This classification system is part of Italy’s push to maintain high standards in wine production, ensuring quality and regional identity while allowing for some flexibility in winemaking practices. Next time you buy a bottle of Italian wine, peek at the label to determine which category it falls under.
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita — Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin): At the top of the quality pyramid, DOCGs are most often—but not always—the most prestigious winegrowing regions in Italy. Examples: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata — Controlled Designation of Origin): DOCS are next in line in quality. They also come from a specific wine region and follow certain production regulations, but the regulations aren’t as strict as the DOCG rule book. Examples: Chianti (non-Classico), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
IGT: (Indicazione Geografica Tipica — Typical Geographical Indication) This category is the broadest of the lot. The main rule is that wines must be regionally identified, and winemakers enjoy more flexibility and creativity in their practices. Examples: Super Tuscans like Tignanello.
Tasting your way through the types of Tuscan wines
In Tuscany, the Sangiovese grape is the queen of the land. Tuscany produces over 80 percent red wine, and Sangiovese is the main base of most of the best Tuscan reds. It’s a particularly sensitive grape that greatly reflects the character of its land, and the wine’s taste can differ drastically depending on the terroir in which Sangiovese is grown and vinified. In addition to an exquisite cast of showstopper reds, Tuscany has some lovely whites, rosés, and dessert wines that are well worth a moment in the spotlight.
Chianti
Chianti | Image credit: Arnaud 25, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grape variety: predominantly Sangiovese, sometimes blended with Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot and Trebbiano.
Characteristics: Chianti wines are light to medium-bodied with mouthwatering acidity and a sumptuous ruby red colour, savoury but with notes of red fruits; imagine summer strawberries, plump raspberries and voluptuous chubby cherries. Its notable tannins give it a distinctly dry character with the subtle feel of dried herbs and bitter almonds, and a nice floral quality of fresh violets (yum). There are multiple types of Chianti in different regions, each with its own character and quality. The most well-known (and some of my faves) are Chianti Classico (including Classico Riserva – aged for a minimum of 2 years in oak and three extra months in a bottle – and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione – aged for at least 30 months in oak barrels) and Chianti Rùfina, featuring pronounced fruit aromas and perfumes.
Here’s how to order wine like a pro, according to the “world’s best sommelier”.
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino | Image credit: Sinikka Halme, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grape variety: 100 percent Sangiovese – specifically the local Brunello clone of the Sangiovese Grosso family.
Characteristics: Beloved Brunello is one of Italy’s most sought-after and collectible wines, given its exceptional aging potential. From the medieval hilltop town of Montalcino, by law, it has to be 100 percent Sangiovese grapes, with thicker skins that make for bold tannins and pronounced acidity and therefore an extended lifespan, meaning Brunello only gets better with age. The wine matures to perfection between 10 and 30 years later, depending on the vintage. A young Brunello is bursting with fresh fruit and flowers, blackberries and violets, while an old Brunello trades the fresh fruit in for notes of tilled earth, dried figs and aromatic wood.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Grape variety: Primarily Prugnolo Gentile – a local Sangiovese clone of the Sangiovese Grosso family. It must make up at least 70 percent of the wine.
Characteristics: This “noble wine” is the crown jewel of Montepulciano’s medieval village, a town with centuries-old winemaking traditions dating back to Etruscan times. It was a favourite of the 15th century aristocracy, was loved by Pope Paul III, and was name-dropped by Voltaire in his book Candide. It’s easy to see why they were all stans of Vino Nobile – it’s elegant and very easy to drink with its smooth tannins and lush flavours of sour cherries, plums and spice. Its high acidity gives it great aging potential – when young, it exudes fresh fruit and ruby red hues, and when aged, its tone turns more brick-red, with matured notes of tobacco and leather.
Super Tuscans
Sassicaia, one of the most iconic Super Tuscans | Image credit: Aris Gionis/Flickr
Grape variety: A blend of native Sangiovese with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah.
Characteristics: The Super Tuscans, like the name implies, were the underdog superheroes of the Tuscan wine world in the 70s and 80s. It’s a term used to describe a category of Tuscan wines created during this period, which gained superstar status internationally for their innovative style and high quality, breaking away from strict traditional winemaking rules and practices in the region. Like any superhero, the wines are bold, full-bodied, assertive, and spicy, often with dark fruit and oak notes.
Also, check out this story about the eating and drinking rules that the Italians live by.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo | Image credit: Salvadonica Borgo del Chianti, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grape variety: Typically made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes.
Characteristics: Rich, velvety and aromatic, Vin Santo is a seductively sweet traditional Italian dessert wine with a honey caramel texture best paired with regional cantucci or dried almond cookies. It’s made in different regions across Tuscany, including Chianti, Carmignano and Montepulciano.
Carmignano
Carmignano town | Image credit: Giovanni Pracucci/Flickr
Grape variety: 50 percent Sangiovese grapes, up to 20 percent Canaiolo, between 10-20 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Characteristics: Carmignano’s rise to fame is inextricably linked to the history of the Tuscan town of the same name, one of Tuscany’s oldest DOCG regions – the wine’s origins trace back to the 14th century. The wealthy Medici family of Florence played a pivotal role in developing regional wine culture in Carmignano, and its reputation for exceptional wine prevailed through the late medieval period and into the Renaissance. Though today it’s not as well known as some of the other superstar Tuscan reds, Carmignano DOCG is on par in terms of quality, minus the hefty price tag of its famous cousins. It’s bold and complex, medium to full-bodied, and has good acidity, making it particularly age-worthy. There are subtle hints of oak floating above deep, dark fruit notes and warm, sultry spices.
Tasting the white and rose wines of Tuscany
Vermentino di Sardegna | Image credit: Roberto Ventre, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Some would argue that the heart of Tuscany is white, not red – the white wines of the land are a hidden treasure, often overlooked by the hordes of wine enthusiasts eager for a sip of its famous Chianti Classicos and Super Tuscans. It’s often forgotten that Tuscany is home to one of Italy’s best (and oldest) white wines – Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The earliest recorded mentions of Vernaccia date back to the 13th century when its hardy vines arrived from Liguria – it’s been popular with the aristocracy since the start of the 14th century, and today it’s produced by a community of vignerons who care deeply about their land. Using Vernaccia and Vermentino grape varieties, it’s dry and delightfully refreshing, golden-hued with bursts of citrus and spring flowers.
Vermentino is another exquisitely graceful and tragically underrated white wine worth tasting in Tuscany. It has soft white peach, crisp pear notes, and a certain sea breeze minerality that speaks to its viticultural roots across Tuscany’s Tyrrhenian coast.
While Tuscany’s reds are bold and robust, its Rosato wines (rosés) — primarily using the Sangiovese, Canaiolo, and Merlot grape varieties — are exquisitely delicate, with plush notes of peach and rose petals, fresh flowers, and red summer berries. They’re produced across Tuscany, in Bolgheri, Maremma, and Chianti.
Tasting through the best wineries in Tuscany
Vignamaggio, Chianti Classico
Vignamaggio | Image credit: Vignamaggio/Facebook
Nestled in the heart of the Chianti Classico appellation, Vignamaggio is an awe-inspiringly charming vineyard with an equally magnificent villa that dates back to the 14th century – which is, according to local lore, the birthplace of the Mona Lisa. The journey to Vignamaggio is an uphill climb — the vineyards are between 330m and 400m above sea level, burrowed in the hills between sparkling streams and a lush forest, hills cultivating vines for almost 3000 years.
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Castello Banfi, Montalcino
Castello Banfi | Image credit: Banfi/Facebook
A wine tasting here is the stuff Tuscan fairytales are made of! Picture a wine-soaked day in a 12th-century castle in the heart of Montalcino, Tuscany, tasting your way through some of the region’s best wines and most beautiful Brunellos. When you get tired of drinking (as if), head over to La Sala dei Grappoli for a Michelin-starred meal that changes with the seasons and serves up Tuscan cuisine with a creative edge, courtesy of chef Domenico Francone. The castle and the family-run estate are perched high on top of a hill, drenched in history and generously laden with natural beauty.
Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri
Between the sea and the hills in the heart of Bolgheri is the Tenuta San Guido estate, where Mario Incisa della Rocchetta developed his legendary (and now world-famous) Sassicaia wine, the Super Tuscan superstar made mostly with Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Cabernet Franc. As of 1994, it’s the only wine from a single estate to be granted its own DOC – until then, it had been relegated to the status of a table wine. A pilgrimage site for lovers of the Super Tuscans, the estate is still family-run and spread across a sprawling 2500 hectares of lush Mediterranean forest. The main villa feels modern but with a classic charm of Tuscany that permeates the entire property – a wine tasting here is a must if you love the great reds.
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Salcheto, Montepulciano
Salcheto | Image credit: salcheto/Instagram
This quaint organic vineyard has some of the most jaw-droppingly breathtaking views in Tuscany, overlooking the medieval town of Montepulciano. Situated in the heart of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG region, the estate practices organic and biodynamic viticulture with the grapes being hand-harvested from low-yielding vineyards, ensuring the high quality of the fruit. Salcheto’s approach, using many traditional winemaking methods, walks the fine line between rustic and next-gen. But one look at its well-stocked, state-of-the-art cellar and you’ll feel far away from the old stone Tuscan cantinas of yore.
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Tasting through the best wine regions in Tuscany
Chianti
Chianti | Image credit: Brasil_1/Goodfon
Nestled between Florence and Siena, Chianti looks like it did a century ago, sprinkled with medieval villages, olive groves, and vineyards as far as the eye can see, with a centuries-old reputation for producing high-quality wines. Within Chianti DOCG, there are seven smaller subzones, each one producing its own distinctive Chianti wines: Chianti Montalbano, Chianti Rùfina, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Aretini, Chianti Colli Senesi (an area that also includes Montepulciano and Montalcino), Chianti Montespertoli, and Chianti Colli Pisane. The historic Chianti Classico region is its own appellation, separate from these seven subzones.
Best Known For: Chianti Classico, Chianti Riserva, Chianti Rùfina
Montalcino
Montalcino | Image credit: Pedro Albuquerque/Flickr
Perched high atop a hill in the province of Siena with stunning panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside, is the fairytale medieval town of Montalcino. Imagine wandering through labyrinthine cobblestone streets amidst ancient stone walls of Tuscany, tipsy from tasting a few glasses of the exquisite Brunello di Montalcino wine, soaking in views of the town’s 14th-century medieval castle. The enchanting vineyards stretch far across the hillsides around the town — it’s also the warmest and driest area of Tuscany, meaning the local Sangiovese grapes here reach maximum ripeness, making for deeper, richer, more complex wines with excellent aging potential. Brunello’s younger sibling, Rosso di Montalcino, is quickly making a name in the wine world for its lively young freshness and drinkability, and winemakers now treat Rosso with the same love and care as Brunello, letting its sparkling energy shine.
Best known for: Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
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Montepulciano
Montepulciano | Image credit: lo.tangelini/Flickr
High upon a limestone ridge is the hilltop town of Montepulciano, with expansive views as far as the eye can see across the Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys. The beautiful town is steeped in Renaissance medieval architecture, with winding cobblestone streets, quaint piazzas, historic churches, and one of Tuscany’s finest red wines — Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Many local wineries are family-owned and have been producing wine for generations. The region also produces Rosso di Montepulciano, the younger and more approachable cousin of Vino Nobile that can be drunk much earlier.
Best known for: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Rosso di Montepulcian
Bolgheri
Bolgheri | Image credit: David Lienhard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This tiny village is sacred ground for collectors of the majestic Tuscan reds. Located along the Tuscan coast, surrounded by sunbathed hills, clear cerulean waters and vast vineyards leading to the Tyrrhenian Sea, the village is famous for its Super Tuscan wines produced by some of Italy’s most prestigious wineries. Local producers here excitedly blend international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah alongside indigenous Tuscan grape varieties. Sassicaia, the Super Tuscan produced by Tenuta San Guido, is often regarded as one of the best and most expensive wines in the world; Massetto produced by Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is one of Italy’s most iconic Merlots; and Guado al Tasso produced by the Antinori family is a divine Bordeaux-style blend that helped put Bolgheri on the world map. Wander along the iconic Viale dei Cipressi (the Road of the Cypresses) under the protection of centuries-old cypress trees, wine tasting your way to inebriated glory in Tuscany.
Best known for: Super Tuscans like Sassicaia and Ornellaia
Carmignano
Carmignano | Image credit: Giovanni, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The picturesque town of Carmignano is one of the oldest winemaking regions in Tuscany, with a history dating back to Roman times, and the town is known for great food, captivating art, rich history, and exquisite wine. It has a centuries-old history of blending local and international grape varieties, growing grapes for wine since even before the 4th century, and introducing international grape varieties as early as the 3rd century. Spend your afternoons sipping on Carmignano DOCG’s signature dry, intensely perfumed red, wandering through medieval piazzas and past stunning old Romanesque churches, with views of rolling hills and winding vineyards on the horizon.
Best known for: Carmignano DOCG, Carmignano Riserva, Carmignano Vin Santo
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San Gimignano
San Gimignano | Image credit: Kevin Poh/Flickr
The walled medieval town of San Gimignano — a UNESCO World Heritage site — has been making wine since Etruscan times, and feels like it hasn’t really changed much since. The town’s aura is shrouded in history and has retained much of its medieval architecture, with distinctive tower houses dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries – some reaching up to 50 metres high — originally built as homes for rich and powerful families. Elaborate frescoes adorn the town church’s ceilings, stunning enough to move even the staunchest of atheists, and around each corner of its ancient streets, charming old doors shrouded in artistry and mystery captivate the imaginations of all who pass. Its signature Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine has been beloved since the 1200s, one of Italy’s finest white wines — the first Italian wine to be granted DOC status, and the only white wine in Tuscany to have reached DOCG status — totally worth tasting.
Best known for: Vernaccia di San Gimignano
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(Feature image credit: Stefano Costantini/Flickr)
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Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What can I expect during a wine tasting tour in Tuscany?
During a wine tasting tour in Tuscany, you can expect to explore vineyards, learn about the winemaking process, and taste local wines, which are often paired with regional foods. The whole experience will also give you insights into the history and traditions of the area, all set in the picturesque, rustic atmosphere of Tuscany.
How do I book a wine tasting tour in Tuscany?
To book a wine tasting tour in Tuscany, you can either head to the winery’s website directly to reserve your spot or use specialised wine tour booking platforms. Many hotels will also offer assistance in organizing personalized wine tours.
Are there any wine festivals in Tuscany?
Tuscany hosts several wine festivals including popular ones like the Expo del Chianti Classico in Greve, as well as lesser-known wine festivals like the Vino al Vino Festival in Panzano (which celebrates local wines with tastings and live music), the Festa del Vino in Montecarlo, and the The Grape Festival in Scansano.
What are some tips for enjoying a wine tasting in Tuscany?
To enjoy a wine tasting in Tuscany, pace yourself by taking each wine in slowly, using all your senses, and taking time to appreciate the individual aromas and flavour profiles. It’s also helpful to ask the winemaker or guide about the region’s history and winemaking practices to help enrich your understanding and experience.
Can I buy wine and ship it home from Tuscany?
Yes, on a wine tasting in Tuscany many wineries will offer you the option to purchase wine and ship it directly to your home, either through their shop or online. Check the shipping regulations for your country beforehand, since some may have certain restrictions or taxes on alcohol imports.
Are there any non-wine activities to enjoy at the wineries?
Yes, many wineries in Tuscany offer non-wine activities to enjoy such as guided tours of the vineyards, tours of the olive groves and olive oil tastings, cooking classes and picnics amidst the stunning countryside. Some wineries also host events like live music and art exhibitions, allowing you to enjoy the region’s culture beyond just the wine.
Written By
Nirupama Belliappa
Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV ..Read Morehosting shows on travel, food & wine, music and wellness. Though originally from Coorg, she grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada, but now calls India home. Read Less
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