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10 best red wines from Tuscany, one of Italy's best grape producing regions
From chianti classico to brunello di montalcino and 'super Tuscans', we find the best of the bunch
Stacey Smith
Wednesday 26 February 2020 13:00 GMT
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The rolling hills of Tuscany’s picturesque countryside is home to some of the country’s most celebrated wines. Predominantly red and more often than not, made from sangiovese grapes – it can be a confusing wine region to get your head around with labels often not revealing very much.
You may be familiar with some of the more well-known appellations including chianti classico, brunello di montalcino and vino nobile di montepulciano although there are also lesser-known local styles to contend with too. While chianti classico must include at least 80 per cent sangiovese grapes, brunello will always be 100 per cent so you can normally expect that to be a more brooding, intense experience.
You may also have heard the term "super Tuscan" used when talking about this region. It’s a phrase that refers to some of the finest Italian reds, made from either a blend or entirely, from non-indigenous grape varieties such as merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah which fall outside the strict wine classification system.
Highly-regarded in wine circles, they often come with quite eye-watering price tags, however, we’ve included some affordable ones below.
It’s not all sangiovese however, nebbiolo is a grape high in alcohol, acidity and tannins which make the celebrated barolo wines. Sadly however they come from such a small area and are in such high demand that these high-end wines can often be quite an investment. Aside from the higher price points, due to the prominent tannins, barolo often benefits from further ageing (it can very often take another 10 years for them to soften sufficiently) so for this reason we’ve chosen to exclude them from this round-up.
And although Tuscany is more well known for their big juicy reds, they do also produce some excellent crisp white wines – however, on this occasion we’ll be focusing our round-up on the former.
When making your selection, check the label. DOCG (designation of origin and guaranteed) is the highest grade, followed by DOC wines which have to be made in a designated area, adhering to strict rules, followed by IGT which will still need to come from a specific area, although will often have more relaxed requirements.
As ever, when making our selection we were on the lookout for great value wines offering something a little special. Bottles which represent the region well and, we hope, you’ll remember long after the last sip. Like most food and wine pairing, if unsure what to serve, think about typical flavours from the region.
Tomato-based meaty stews, pasta and pizza will all work a treat here, as will buttery risottos and ribollita – Tuscany’s bread and vegetable soup.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
1Tenuta dell’Ornellaia le volte dell'Ornellaia 2016 14%
Considered one of Italy's leading bordeaux-style red wine producers, Ornellaia has used a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, alongside local sangiovese in this “super-Tuscan”. Left in old oak barrels over a 10 month period, this has resulted in spicy notes developing, adding depth to the rich concentrated black fruit and fresher red fruit acidity. Try pairing with rich meaty casseroles for an authentic family-style feast you can really take your time over.
2Castello Romitorio chianti colli senesi 14%
With a wonderful selection of Tuscan wines, premium online wine merchants Honest Grapes is an excellent place to start your Tuscan wine collection. This chianti from Castello Romitorio is one of the brand’s favourite latest discoveries and we’d agree that it’s a stunning wine representing great value for money. This under the radar gem uses the same grapes as a brunello di montalcino but due to the infamously strict regulations, can’t be labelled as such. Ever so slightly oaked and velvety smooth, it displays all the red fruit you’d expect – currants, cherries, cranberries – alongside a pleasingly refreshing acidity.
3Berry Bros & Rudd rosso di Montalcino by San Giorgio 13.5%
Exclusive to renowned fine wine merchant’s Berry Bros & Rudd, this rosso di Montalcino displays all the classic sangiovese characteristics. Medium-bodied and wonderfully aromatic, ripe black cherries are underscored with a well-defined herbaceous quality, toast and a little milk chocolate. On the palate expect more earthy, red forest fruits with a long finish that will stick in your mind long after you finish the bottle. You can’t go wrong pairing this with all the classic tomato-based Italian fare – from stone-baked pizzas through to aubergine parmigiana.
4Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona rosso di Montalcino DOC 2015, 14%
If strong tannins aren’t for you, you should find the well-rounded nature of this montalcino much more your bag. It’s no push-over however, complex layers of cherry, spicy smoke and mint ensure this is still a serious wine with complexity, one we’d serve with an equally rich meal.
5Insoglio del Cinghiale Campo di Sasso 14%
Another “super-Tuscan”, this time forgoing sangiovese completely for an exciting yet elegant blend of syrah, merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Peppery and savoury, locally they’d serve this lightly chilled, so a good one to consider come BBQ season. However for now, this would make a cracking addition to your Sunday roast, particularly a slow-cooked porchetta.
6Lambda Fattoira Kappa 2016 14.5%
Andrea di Maio is responsible for making two of Tuscany’s most expensive red wines – so this truly is a snip at under £20. Silky smooth, rich in colour with bold blackcurrant, spice, and savoury herbs, we loved the smoky liquorice underlying each sip. This kind of wine shouldn’t be hurried, so we’d continue the slow jam with a slow-cooked meaty stew and perhaps, a little afternoon nap.
7Podere Le Ripi Sogni e Follia Rosso di Montalcino 13.5%
Using 100 per cent sangiovese grapes, this biodynamic vineyard, set in the UNESCO world heritage site of Val D’Orcia has a truly impressive set-up. The “golden cellar” as it’s referred to, was created completely round, without the use of steel so as to avoid the magnetic fields and a loudspeaker was installed so that they could play classical music to the wine. Yes, really. The brand seems to be doing something right however, as this well-structured ruby red montalcino is memorable. Packed with cherries and strawberries, alongside a touch of balsamic, we’d pair this with a hearty pasta ragu finished with plenty of aged pecorino.
8Pietro Majnoni chianti superiore DOCG 14%
Proudly displaying the DOCG classification, this organic wine has spent some time in oak barrels, which has imparted an elegant, creamy texture. With fresh cherries, plums and notes of chocolate and savoury herbs, appreciate the long, smooth finish of this medium-bodied chianti with good Italian cuisine.
The verdict: Tuscan wines
If you’re keen to try a celebrated “super-Tuscan”, we think the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia Le Volte dell'Ornellaia 2016 from Harvey Nichols is great value. Not only does it utilise indigenous sangiovese but it combines cabernet sauvignon and merlot for a truly modern wine to rival similar styles you may find in Bordeaux.