Toscana

Tuscany is a major wine region, both in terms of the size of its vineyards and the renown of its wines. Located in central Italy along the Tyrrhenian coast, Tuscany is home to more than forty DOC (Denominazioni di Origine Controllata) and more than ten DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) designations, including some of the country’s best-known wines such as Chianti, Carmignano, and Brunello di Montalcino.

Tuscany’s climate is, of course, Mediterranean. However, the region is rugged, and the heat of Tuscan summers is tempered by the high elevation of the vineyards. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for the Sangiovese grape variety, which is typical of the region, as the hillside vineyards enjoy maximum sunlight. The significant temperature variations associated with altitude thus promote a balance between the grapes’ aroma, sugar, and acidity. Tuscan wines are also made from many other international or Italian grape varieties, such as Malvasia Nera or Mammolo for red wine, and Trebbiano, Malvasia, Vermentino, and Vernaccia for white wine.

Alongside wines with specific appellations, an unofficial category of wines emerged in the 1970s: the “Super Tuscans,” which deviated from classification criteria to allow for greater freedom in winemaking. This freedom has helped diversify the region’s offerings. Some “Super Tuscan” wines are nonetheless internationally recognized. Among them are certain red wines produced by Domaine Duemani.