Dear reader,
As our brave Chief Wine Officer, Julien Miquel, makes an insightful video series on Italian wines, one region that unmistakingly stands out is good old Tuscany.
This central region of the boot is not only the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the homeland of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Alighieri and Galileo and one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. It is also home to the most celebrated wines of the country, among the most prolific and appreciated winemaking regions in Europe (and the world!), originating countless cult wines.
The sangiovese-based wonder red wines of Tuscany are their flagship choices – especially Chianti classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano and the so-called Super Tuscans. But, as Julien shows us, these famous produces are not exclusively what’s hot about Tuscany – have you ever tried a Vernaccia di San Gimignano, for instance?
Join this virtual trip and check out Julien’s miniseries dedicated to Tuscan wines — a part of his wider series on wines and winemaking in Italy!
(PS.: And if you are thinking of investing in Tuscan fine wines, we have our fair share of listed options, such as Solaia, Masseto and IoSonoDonatella. Make sure to check them out!)
Super Tuscans
Moving beyond the traditional rules for the Chianti area from the 1970s onward (in the midst of an era of bulk production that nearly destroyed the appellation’s reputation), the wines that defied the longstanding traditions are famous for their ability to merge wonderful terroir, the unique sangiovese leading touch and the advent of Bordeaux-style blends.
Julien kicks it off with his personal story to introduce this touch of modernity, guiding you through the most celebrated Super Tuscans, their history and their producers.
The classics: Chianti, Brunello, Nobile
And now we’re talking deep-rooted history of wine! The classic red wines of Tuscany are deservedly celebrated worldwide for their excellence.
What makes Chianti so well-known worldwide? Why you should never mistake the town of Montepulciano for the grape (…d’Abruzzo!)? Why is Brunello such a world-class powerful superstar? What’s the big thing about sangiovese and its local variants? What are the determinant terroirs at stake?
Julien sorts out the pressing matters and shows you what’s essential about each of these famous classic and historic wines!
Bonus: Tuscan white wines
Yes, they are a thing.
This is actually the second installment of a piece dedicated to the white wines of Italy. Here, Julien will show you the beauty of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a top-notch white wine that originates from a lovely medieval town near the Chianti region. Others to watch include Bolgheri and Moscadello.
And here we have a bonus – keep on watching and you’ll end up knowing other delicious whites from Central and Southern Italy!
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