Tuscany Red Wine

The red wines of Tuscany are dominated by the native Sangiovese grape variety. The sole variety permitted in all Brunello di Montalcino, and the dominant grape in Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, its savoury, sour-cherry character lends itself to refreshing, elegant but supremely ageworthy renderings. Beyond Sangiovese, the so-called ‘SuperTuscans’ – Ornellaia, Sassicaia and the like – have brought a bolder, more international flavour to new-wave regions such as Bolgheri, largely by harnessing French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, which, grown towards the coast, can marry ripe fruit with a certain Tuscan, herbal lift.