Tuscany
Wine from Tuscany
Tuscany is appreciated far beyond its borders and Italy for its picturesque landscapes of cypresses and vineyards, its wealth of culture and the excellent culinary offer. With around 64,000 hectares of vines, it is considered the most famous central Italian wine region and offers numerous DOC and DOCG wines.
As the climate changes with altitude, proximity to the sea, and location on the latitude, Tuscany is not a uniform cultivation area. Sangiovese is still the main variety of Tuscany, but the many niche locations also allow the varieties Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other autochthonous and international grape varieties a high quality potential.
From this region comes not only a great red wine but countless. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and from the Bolgheri Doc the world famous classics like Ornellaia, Sassicaia and Masseto.
Chianti and Chianti Classico DOCG
The Chianti area is composed of eight sub-areas: Chianti Classico, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colline Pisane, Chianti Montalbano and Chianti Montespertoli. All are located between the cities of Florence to the north and Siena to the south. Although the region does not exude the same glamour as its southern neighbors Montalcino and Montepulciano, it has always been closely associated with the history of winemaking in Italy. Chianti from the fiasco (demijohn) is still a cult favorite and one of the most famous wines in the world. The region with the highest quality wines is the Chianti classico DOCG. The area is dotted with olive groves, oak and chestnut forests, and the famous cypress trees that line the roads and the horizon. In this picturesque landscape, Sangiovese, the main grape variety of Chianti classico DOCG, grows at up to 700 meters above sea level, characterized by a balanced continental climate. Chianti classico of the highest category "Gran Selezione" can easily compete with the Brunellos of Montalcino but also with other top wines from Italy.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
This one should not be confused with the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - another red wine from Italy - because they have different grape varieties. Unlike the wines from Abruzzo, the Vino Nobile does not use Montepulciano grapes, but Sangiovese. Yet, the Vino Nobile was almost doomed. When the market demanded more and more full-fruity and barrique wines, many vintners of the region were tempted to follow this trend. The result was interchangeable wines with often excessive barrique notes and a share of up to 30% of international grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. Now, as in many other regions of Italy, a rethinking took place. One returned to the Sangiovese "in purezza" and the development in big wooden barrels. These only give the wine a structure, without influencing the essence of the Sangiovese. The house Talosa also stands for these "new" traditional wines. For the Filai Lunghi - their prestigious wine - only the best grapes of the winery are used. The wine is matured in tonneax (500l) and large wooden barrels (up to 10'000l). The result is an exceptional Vino Nobile of great class. In the nose notes of pickled red berries and cherries, hints of leather, forest aromas and liquorice. Perfect for lovers of ripe Sangiovese wines with velvety warm tannins and complex structure.
The Sangiovese grape is called Morellino in the area around Scansano. Thus, this Tuscan wine is called Sangiovese of Scansano. The village is located in the south of Tuscany. More precisely in the Maremma, which borders on the province of Lazio. The wines are characterized by a full berry fruit and great fullness.
Undoubtedly one of the most famous of Italian wines and one of the best wines in Italy. But what is it that makes the wines from Montalcino, this small region in the heart of Tuscany and how did they come to such great world fame? If you believe the locals and many renowned wine critics, the region around Montalcino offers the best climatic and geological conditions for the cultivation of the Sangiovese grape, which is the origin of every Brunello di Montalcino. There is no doubt that the conditions are perfect for producing great wines from this urtoscan grape variety. Nevertheless, something else catches your eye when you let your gaze wander over the gentle hills. The area around Montalcino is free of any pomp. Instead of the traditional splendid buildings and castelli that one would expect in a region of such international renown, the landscape is dominated by olive groves, pastures, grain fields and, above all, vineyards. A sign that the people of this region are still down-to-earth farmers who see their future and livelihood in the hills of their homeland, which they work every day. This dedication is, in our opinion, what makes Brunello di Montalcino so special.
The village of Bolgheri is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in the world. It stands for the quality of its Supertoscans. Its triumphal procession started in the 70ies, when courageous vintners started to plant above all Cabernet Sauvignon instead of domestic grapes in the hills of the Tyrrhenian Sea coast. This grape thrived there so well that Bolgheri advanced to be one of the best regions for this grape variety, besides Bordeaux - the home of Cabernet grapes - and Nappa Valley. Today, there are countless renowned houses in Bolgheri. But above all, there are also many Bijous that are worth discovering.