Super Tuscan: On the Trail of Fine Tuscan Wines

Super Tuscan History

The first Super Tuscans to be produced in 1968 were Sassicaia in Bolgheri and Vigorello in San Felice in the Chianti area. The former was created by the Marchese Incisa della Rocchetta in the 1940s when she decided to cultivate French grape varieties (in this case, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), starting to bottle them only in 1968 with the very simple table wine denomination on the label.

The latter was produced in the historical zone of Chianti Classico by the San Felice winery, but, unlike Chianti Classico which had to be produced with Sangiovese, Malvasia nera, Colorino, Malvasia bianca, and Trebbiano as per regulations, it was produced only with Sangiovese and, therefore, could not be given that name. Another famous wine that had a similar origin story was Tignanello. Produced for the first time in 1970 like Chianti Classico Riserva with Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, the Antinori family and enologist Giacomo Tachis decided to only add Cabernet Sauvignon to the Sangiovese and to stop using the local varieties in 1975.

The ageing process also changed, going with oak barrels over French barriques.

What is a Super Tuscan?

Simply put, Super Tuscan is not a denomination. In fact, all wines that are produced in Tuscany that are not part of the big DOCG wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano can be called Super Tuscans thus making the production area the entire region of Tuscany. To date, the most important production areas for Super Tuscan wines are Montalcino, Montepulciano, Chianti Classico, and Bolgheri.
The Bolgheri area is the only one of the aforementioned areas that have regulations for production (DOC Bolgheri). The most important rule is that the wines are produced within the municipal area of Castagneto Carducci. Another important area for this type of wine is certainly the Maremma Toscana DOC, especially the area south of Grosseto, which is similar to Napa Valley in California in its climate and soil variety.

All grape varieties may be used, both those native to Tuscany and international varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, etc.
In actual fact, in some zones Sangiovese is used over others as it adapts well to dry climates and to soil rich in rocks and limestone. In other areas, like Bolgheri where the vineyards are close to the sea, Sangiovese is produced and used very little as the warm climate is better suited for classic Bordeaux varieties.

Even the ageing does not follow a precise method and the only rule that I am happy to share with you, other than the fact that the wine must be produced in Tuscany, is that there are no rules. In fact, a “basic” Super Tuscan can spend only a brief amount of time in stainless steel and then put on the market the year after the harvest or it can age for a long time or not in barrels. Also, the type of barrels used is up to the producers while in some areas 225L French barriques are preferable.

How to enjoy a Super Tuscan

Since there is no obligation to use any particular variety, Super Tuscans can be very soft and velvety or full-bodied, warm, and enveloping making the food wine pairing quite varied. It all depends on the complexity of the wine, the ageing period, and the variety. It ranges from classic soft wines which are easy to drink and that can be easily paired with pasta dishes, charcuterie, and cheese to more complex and full-bodied wines which would fare better with more complex slow-cooked dishes like pot roasts and stewed game. An excellent pairing would be with roast lamb, guinea fowl, or pheasant.

Super Tuscans should be stored horizontally in the dark at 16°-18°C.

Where to buy a Supertuscan?

From us, of course! We are a well-established wine shop located in the main square of Montalcino and have been in this field since 1988. Here you can find an incredible range of producers and vintages. If you are looking for something and you don’t see it on the website, just send us an email and we will try to accommodate your request. 

La Quinta

Giodo

2021

50.00

Soldera

Case Basse

2019

1,200.00

Collalto

Cerbaiona

2021

42.00

Santinovo

Cerbaiona

2020

69.00

Sanvito

Cerbaiona

2020

59.00

Luce della vite

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2021

130.00

Le Difese

Tenuta San Guido le Difese

2021

30.00

Le Serre Nuove

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2021

55.00

Solengo

Argiano

2020

85.00

Guidalberto

Tenuta San Guido

2021

54.00

La quadratura del cerchio

Roberto Cipresso

2019

25.00

Sassicaia

Tenuta San Guido

1997

1,450.00

Sassicaia Magnum

Tenuta San Guido

2009

920.00

Sassicaia Magnum

Tenuta San Guido

2011

830.00

Cenerentola

Donatella Cinelli Colombini

2019

33.00

Trinoro

Tenuta di Trinoro

2015

299.00

Galatrona

Petrolo

2020

139.00

Torrione

Petrolo

2020

34.00

Le Mortelle

Poggio alle Nane

2020

68.00

Pigreco

Roberto Cipresso

2020

16.00

Donna Olimpia

Millepassi

2012

49.00

Col d’Orcia

Olmaia

2016

40.00

Col d’Orcia

Nearco

2018

19.00

Podere Forte

Petruccino

2017

45.00

Campo al Noce

Riverbero

2017

37.00

Lucente

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2021

28.00

Masseto

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2019

1,100.00

Luce della vite

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

125.00

Cepparello

Isole e Olena

2020

120.00

Tenuta di Trinoro

Le Cupole

2020

30.00

Lamaione

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2018

63.00

Masseto

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2018

1,100.00

Massetino

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2018

489.00

Masseto

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2017

1,100.00

Mormoreto

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2020

64.00

Luce della vite

Marchesi de' Frescobaldi

2020

125.00

Avignoesi

Grandi Annate

2016

99.00

Avignonesi

Desiderio

2019

53.00

Cerbaiona

Cerbaiona Sangiovese IGT

2019

49.00

Antinori

Guado al Tasso Matarocchio

2019

350.00

Podere Forte

Guardiavigna

2015

98.00

Antinori

Guado al Tasso

2021

149.00

Grattamacco Magnum

Grattamacco

2014

190.00

Baffo Nero

Castellare

2018

249.00

I Sodi di San Niccolo

Castellare

2018

99.00

Camarcanda

Gaja

2019

165.00

Schidione Magnum

Biondi Santi

1998

340.00

Schidione Magnum etichetta oro

Biondi Santi

1997

2,500.00

Excelsus

Banfi

2018

52.00

Summus

Banfi

2018

48.00