Revealing the wines of Tuscany

IGT Wines | DOC wines | DOCG Wines | Gallo Nero

If there existed a Hall of Fame for Italian red wines, the Region of Tuscany would takes some of the highest spots. In this article we explore some of Tuscany's historic wines and look at what makes the region one of the most spectacular wines producers in all of Italy.

First there are the different types of red wine - Sangiovese, Chianti Classico, Morellino di Scanscano, Brunello di Montalcino (DOCG), Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (DOCG), Rosso di Montepulciano (DOC) – types which are then multiplied into a assortment of different shades, colours and tastes depending on where in the region the grape is harvested. For example the Sangiovese of Montecucco is along way away from the same wine of Artimino.

a photo of Vines at sunset in Tuscany

How Italian wines are classified

Wine classifications fall under the control of Italian law and are placed on a three stepped quality ladder: On the first and lowest quality rung are wines classified IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica). Requirements in this category are much less stringent than the superior DOC category. The IGT classification has allowed a number of wine producers, that previously would have had to label their wine vino da tavola (table wine), the generic category for all other wines, to produce the distinctive additions to the range of wines available. Interestingly it is some of the IGT wines that can make for the most interesting tasting, as the other two categories of DOC and DOCG are only interested in finding wines that fit a specific requirement. IGTs are freer in that respect.

IGT wines include

  • Alta Valle della Greve
  • Colli della Toscana centrale
  • Maremma Toscana
  • Toscano or ToscanaVal di Magr
  • Of note is also the 2003 'Grilli del Testamatta' by Fiesolean wine producer Bibi Graetz
  • 2006 'Crognolo', by the wine producer Tenuta il Ponte

DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)

Next in the quality classification is DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata).
When driking a DOC wine you can be sure that the wine meets a minimum standard with regards to its mix of grapes, alcoholic content, and providence. By meeting these standards the wine is assigned one of the DOC production codes.

DOC wines in Tuscany

  • Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario
  • Bianco della Valdinievole
  • Bianco dell'Empolese
  • Bianco di Pitigliano
  • Bianco Pisano di San Torpé
  • Bolgheri and Bolgheri Sassicaia
  • Candia dei Colli Apuani
  • Capalbio
  • Carmignano and Barco Reale di Carmignano
  • Colli dell'Etruria Centrale
  • Colli di Luni
  • Colline Lucchesi
  • Cortona
  • Elba
  • Montecarlo
  • Montecucco
  • Monteregio di Massa Marittima
  • Montescudaio
  • Moscadello di Montalcino
  • Orcia
  • Parrina
  • Pietraviva
  • Pomino
  • Rosso di Montalcino
  • Rosso di Montepulciano
  • San Gimignano
  • Sant'Antimo
  • Sovana
  • Terratico di Bibbona
  • Val d'Arbia
  • Val di Cornia
  • Valdichiana
  • Vin Santo del Chianti
  • Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
  • Vin Santo di Montepulciano

DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

At the top of the wine classification is the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), which was setup in 1980. To this day just 24 wines have been awarded the DOCG status. DOCG wines have a much stricter vetting process than the DOC category, and one of the principal distinctions is that the quotas for the production of a DOCG wine is lower, making them more expensive by nature of their limited availabilty. In addition DOCG wines undergo expert tasting and chemical analysis prior to acceptance in the category. Should experts decide that the wine does not meet the DOCG standard, they can request the wine grower to make changes to their production process. As one might expect the DOCG wines are some of the most expensive in the region.

DOCG wines

  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Carmignano
  • Chianti
  • Chianti Classico
  • Morellino di Scansano
  • Vernaccia di San Gimignano
  • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Other quality seals specific to Tuscany:

Another famous classification in the Region which does not fall under Italian law is the " Gallo Nero", a trademark of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. The logo of the Consortium, a Black Rooster, is worth looking out for as it is a further mark of quality that guarantees the origins of the Chianti wine. Or as they put their mission...

"The Chianti Classico Wine Consortium has safeguarded since 1924 the world’s best known wine, promoting the denomination, its territory of origin and its history. Its trademark, which stands out because it displays the unmistakable image of the Black Rooster which guarantees the real Chianti Classico: authentic, because it uniquely originated in the territory of Chianti; certified because its production is controlled from the vine to the bottle; inimitable because its quality and identity are protected in Italy and throughout the world"