What is a Super Tuscan?
In short, Super Tuscans is a term used for wines from the Chianti region that are made from non-native grapes. Mainly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.
The creation of Super Tuscan wines was the result of the winemakers' frustration with slow bureaucracy when changing the Italian wine law in the 1970s. Winemakers started mixing 'unapproved' wine varieties (such as Merlot) into their wines to make wines of high quality. The legal system finally caved in 1992 with the
How did the Super Tuscan come about?
A new style of wine is rare, especially in countries with a long wine history, such as Italy. You can't tell from the bottle whether a wine is a Super Tuscan.
Super Tuscan begins its story in the Chianti region of Italy. The Chianti DOC was founded in 1967. At that time, a bottle of Chianti was allowed to consist of 80% Sangiovese grape. The remaining 20% was supplemented with white grape varieties from the region.
There was nothing wrong with the Sangiovese grape, it is a beautiful grape, but the other 20% was supplemented with grapes to make the wine as cheap as possible. This process led to low-quality wines, and winemakers decided to use French grape varieties to boost quality, which turned out to be a hit.
Super Tuscans swept the market in the 1980s and today remain an astonishing power in the loftiest regions of the wine world.
In the mid-1970s, the name was assigned to red wines from the Chianti area. And it was manufactured without respecting the rules of the local DOC.
Sassicaia and Super Tuscan
The story of Sassicaia is the story of a wine-loving Italian marquis who preferred to drink Bordeaux. When the Second World War broke out, and the trade channels with France were cut, he couldn't get to it anymore. Then make Bordeaux yourself, he thought and planted French Cabernet grapes in the Tuscan soil in 1944.
The Italian wine world was in turmoil, and he was just barely expelled from the country with tar and feathers but at least declared crazy. That was then. Sassicaia has been at the top of Italian wines for years now, and the whole world wants a sip of it.
But still, all those non-native grape varieties like Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc, planted in Tuscany was not in the Tuscan wine law. Sassicaia was able to whistle for a bit of official status. In addition, Slavic wooden barrels were replaced by new French oak barriques.
The result of all this? The Tuscan medley appeared to jump out of the barrel like a full-fruited, complex bundle of muscles.
The Super Tuscan was born. And that also applied to the other wines, such as Ornellaia and Tignanello, produced from immigrant grape varieties in imitation of Sassicaia in Tuscany. The wines were reclassified as Vino da Tavola, "table wine". But because of the high quality of these wines, they were soon affectionately known as "Super Tuscans".
Most Super Tuscans are now housed in unique appellations, of which the 'IGT Toscana' is the largest. Within this Indicazione Geografica Tipica, there is plenty of room to experiment with both native and immigrant grape varieties. There are several delicious wines to discover. Often in that typical, full style with lots of red fruit and depth.
The Chianti wines have come a long way!
What was the first Super Tuscan?
One of the most famous Super Tuscan wines is the Tignanello. This wine was made by Antinori, in 1971. It was the first Super Tuscan! Today Tignanello is a blend of 80% Sangiovese 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
I would like to try a Super Tuscan!
You can! There is no need to cancel your holiday plans to try a Super Tuscan. The well-known brands such as Sassicaia and Tignanello can be expensive. Cool to try once, but luckily there are Super Tuscans for every budget!
Poggio Verrano Poggio Verrano 3 Toscana– $$
A fruity blend of Alicante, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Broad and deep scents come across as sultry with fine aromas of cherry. At first, we smell strong, somewhat rustic scents, and it feels like pure nature.
Contrary to what the nose might suggest, the wine has a medium body and fresh flavors that swell into the fuller finish with hints of cherry fruit and wild strawberries. After a while, pleasant notes of mint come through.
This Poggio Verrano has been one of our best-selling wines for years, and that is not surprising because it is a delicious complete wine with a more than excellent price-quality ratio!
Fertuna Pactio Maremma Toscana Rosso - $
The Fertuna Pactio Toscana Rosso is a ruby ​​red wine with lots of red fruit and hints of vanilla. It is soft and balanced and has a flowy structure. Delicious tannins, supple, and very elegant.
This wine is the result of a collaboration with Marchese Nicolo Incisa della Rocchetta (Sassicaia San Guido).
The Bocelli Tenor Red is a blend of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Sangiovese, and 33% Merlot, so it measures right up to a Super Tuscan.
The fermentation takes place in stainless steel barrels and is aged for six months in oak foudres. The scent of red berries and violets dominates the fragrance bouquet. The wine is full, round, and elegant. You will experience the delicious aroma of cherries, cassis, sage, and cocoa. The taste is intense with soft tannins.
The Sangiovese gives the wine spiciness, the Merlot gives the warm fruit taste, and the Cabernet Sauvignon gives the fresh cherry taste. All in all, it is understandable that this is Bocelli's bestseller.