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Tuscany

One of Italy's iconic regions, home to the great triumvirate of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Tuscany

Tuscany is continuously vying with [Piedmont](/region/piedmont) and the [Veneto](/region/veneto) for the title of [Italy’s](/country/italy) most important wine region. Rightly so, for it produces a colossal amount of premium wine from a multitude of different sub zones and appellations. There are few wine lovers that have not experienced, at one time or another, the region’s holy trinity of [Chianti Classico](/appellation/chianti-classico-docg), [Brunello di Montalcino](/appellation/brunello-di-montalcino-docg) and [Vino Noble](/appellation/vino-nobile-di-montepulciano-docg) from the hilltop town of Montepulciano. These iconic red wines represent three distinctive expressions of the thick skinned [Sangiovese](/sangiovese) grape, a versatile variety that has adapted to Tuscany’s endlessly diverse terroir with impressive results. [Chianti Classico](/appellation/chianti-classico-docg), marked by the sign of the Gallo Nero (black rooster) and not to be confused with the more varied [Chianti](/appellation/chianti-docg) appellation, offers the best starting point for understand Tuscany. The gentle undulating hills between Florence and Siena produce austere, but ethereal red wines that display seductive notes of violet and black cherry. With age they can take on tertiary notes of mushroom and moss; with high acidity and a form tannic backbone. [Chianti Classico](/appellation/chianti-classico-docg) is the quintessential accompaniment to a host of traditional hearty Italian dishes. Much further south, in the old town of Montalcino, an even more rustic interpretation of [Sangiovese](/sangiovese) has seen its reputation develop from a cult wine to one carrying serious international prestige. Production has expanded rapidly to meet a seemingly endless thirst ([American](/country/usa) driven) and as such a dynamic scene of boutique wineries and estates have sprung up. While [Brunello](/appellation/brunello-di-montalcino-docg) commands high prices, fuelled in part by a lengthy stay in wood, a more approachable [Rosso di Montalcino](/appellation/rosso-di-montalcino-doc) provides a credible introduction to area. Although there is a rejuvenated interest in the production of white wine through the [Ansonica](/ansonica) and [Vernaccia di San Gimignano](/vernaccia-di-san-gimignano) varieties, it is [Sangiovese](/sangiovese) and its many clones dominate viticulture here. In Montepulciano, another medieval town with a renaissance twist, [Sangiovese](/sangiovese) is known as Prugnolo Gentile and gives gritty red wines with plenty of tannin and red berry fruit. Producer decisions in the cellar often influence the final style of wine, but while generally not as complex, or indeed age worthy as [Brunello](/appellation/brunello-di-montalcino-docg), it does offer a similar level of rusticity and Tuscan charm.



Appellations of Tuscany

Read more about Aleatico Passito dell’Elba DOCG

Aleatico Passito dell’Elba DOCG

Also known as Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG, this tiny appellation produces only Passito wines made from the Aleatico grape on the island of Elba.

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1 wine
Read more about Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario DOC

Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario DOC

As the name suggests, Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario is produced from the Ansonica grape along the coast of Argentario in the west of Tuscany. It gives aromatic, fresh white wines.

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Read more about Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC

Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC

Barco Reale di Carmignano is a small DOC close to Florence making simple, fruity red and rose wines from both Sangiovese and international red varieties.

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5 wines
Read more about Bianco dell’Empolese DOC

Bianco dell’Empolese DOC

Bianco dell’Empolese DOC is a white wine produced from Trebbiano Toscano around the town of Empoli. It is also permits the production of a Vin Santo.

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Read more about Bianco di Pitigliano DOC

Bianco di Pitigliano DOC

Bianco di Pitigliano DOC is a little known growing area in the Maremma zone of Tuscany. It currently produces wines from a range of different grapes, but the most obvious is the white from the prominent

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3 wines
Read more about Bolgheri DOC

Bolgheri DOC

Bolgheri is often seen as the new frontier of Tuscan wine making. In recent decades there has been huge investment in this coastal appellation and there are now stunning wines to match.

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52 wines
Read more about Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC was created in 2013 in recognition of Tenuta San Guido's iconic Sassicaia wine which has become a global symbol of Italian fine wine. It is located in the

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1 wine
Read more about Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Brunello di Montalcino is one of the great red wines of Italy. Produced around the Tuscan town of Montalcino from a clone of Sangiovese, known locally as Brunello, it has come to represent on...

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97 wines
Read more about Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC

Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC

Candia dei Colli Apuani DOC is one of the lesser known appellations in Tuscany. Created in 1981, it covers winemaking on the Tuscan coast, close to the towns of Massa, Carrara and Montignoso. White wines generally made with V...

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1 wine
Read more about Capalbio DOC

Capalbio DOC

Capalbio DOC is made in the Maremma area of western Tuscany. Reds are made with Sangiovese, while white wines are made from Trebbiano Toscano and

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Read more about Carmignano DOCG

Carmignano DOCG

Carmignano is a little known, but quality focussed DOCG in Tuscany. A short drive from Florence, the area covers red wines made from at least 50% Sangiovese. They often blended with

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11 wines
Read more about Chianti DOCG

Chianti DOCG

Chianti DOCG is a large catch all appellation for Chianti wines.

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34 wines
Read more about Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico DOCG

Produced from Sangiovese, Chianti Classico is one of Tuscany's great red wines and home to some of the country's most beautiful estates.

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132 wines
Read more about Colli della Toscana Centrale IGP

Colli della Toscana Centrale IGP

Colli della Toscana Centrale is a relatively new regional appellation created in the centre of Tuscany, but is increasingly found on the labels of high quality wines. A number of producers in the Chiant...

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3 wines
Read more about Colli dell’Etruria Centrale DOC

Colli dell’Etruria Centrale DOC

Although founded in 1990, the DOC of Colli dell’Etruria Centrale is rarely used. It was introduced in order to support ‘alternative’ wines produced in the Chianti and

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Read more about Colli di Luni DOC

Colli di Luni DOC

Colli di Luni is a Tuscan and Ligurian DOC. White wines are made from Vermentino, which can be made in a Superiore style and Albarola. Re...

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6 wines
Read more about Colline Lucchesi DOC

Colline Lucchesi DOC

Colline Lucchesi is produced around the medieval town of Luca in the North West of Tuscany. Sangiovese and Merlot reign here as despite the appellation’s proximity to ...

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Read more about Cortona DOC

Cortona DOC

The Tuscan town of Cortona has carved itself a bit of local niche. Focusing on Syrah, Cortona produces deep, rich wines.

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8 wines
Read more about Costa Toscana IGP

Costa Toscana IGP

Costa Toscana IGP incorporates a wide range of local grape varieties and encourages the production of wines from Tuscany's coastal areas.

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2 wines
Read more about Grance Senesi DOC

Grance Senesi DOC

Grance Senesi was created in 2010 to offer some exposure for varietal wines produced around the Tuscan town of Siena. There are only a few hectares registered to the appellation, but in theory it provides a place for wines from

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1 wine
Read more about Maremma Toscana DOC

Maremma Toscana DOC

The Maremma area was upgraded from IGT to DOC in 2011 in recognition of the area’s inherent typicity. The area is primarily known for its reds from Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and

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21 wines
Read more about Montecarlo DOC

Montecarlo DOC

Montecarlo DOC is a small appellation close to the Tuscan towns of Pisa and Lucca. It is named after the village of Montecarlo, which is making a small reputation for itself with white wines made from Sémillon,

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3 wines
Read more about Montecucco DOC

Montecucco DOC

Montecucco DOC is one of Tuscany's lesser known appellations. Whites are made with Trebbiano Toscano and / or Vermentino, while reds can be made using

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4 wines
Read more about Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG

Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG

Sangiovese produced around the town of Montecucco was recognised as a DOCG in 2011 for its ability to create outstanding wines. The appellation, located just to the north east of Grosseto, is celebrated by many as producing S...

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2 wines
Read more about Monteregio di Massa Marittima DOC

Monteregio di Massa Marittima DOC

Monteregio di Massa Marittima is a small but potentially interesting appellation in Tuscany. With a focus on Sangiovese, it produces wines from the rolling hills of the Maremma in the provinc...

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Read more about Montescudaio DOC

Montescudaio DOC

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Read more about Morellino di Scansano DOCG

Morellino di Scansano DOCG

The Sangiovese based wines of Scansano close to the Tuscan coast are beginning to give the region’s other red wine name a run for the money.

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27 wines
Read more about Moscadello di Montalcino DOC

Moscadello di Montalcino DOC

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Read more about Orcia DOC

Orcia DOC

Founded in 2000 after much campaigning by local producers, Orcia DOC must be made from at least 60% Sangiovese. Varietal Sangiovese wines must contain at least 90%.

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Read more about Parrina DOC

Parrina DOC

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Read more about Pomino DOC

Pomino DOC

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Read more about Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG

Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG

Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG emerged in 2011 out of the existing Val di Cornia DOC. Today it requires a minimum of 40% Sangiovese to partner Cab...

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Read more about Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montalcino is the baby bother wine of the world famous Brunello di Montalcino. Produced from Sangiovese around the town of Montalcino in

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38 wines
Read more about Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano is the Tuscan town of Montepulciano's entry level wine, which compliments the more prestigious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Wines are frequently made from young vines, released with less maturation and sometimes featur...

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7 wines
Read more about San Gimignano DOC

San Gimignano DOC

The San Gimignano DOC covers the area around the Tuscan town of San Gimignano but since the creation of a separate DOCG for Vernaccia di San Gimignano the denomination sparks little interest.

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Read more about San Torpè DOC

San Torpè DOC

San Torpè DOC is a small appellation in Tuscany focussed on Rosato wines. It was created in 2011 and also includes Vin Santo which must contain a minimum of 50% Malvasia Bianca Lunga

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Read more about Sant’Antimo DOC

Sant’Antimo DOC

Named after the Romanesque 12th-Century Abbey of Sant'Antimo, this Tuscan DOC covers a similar territory as the world famous Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Sangiovese i...

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4 wines
Read more about Sovana DOC

Sovana DOC

Created in 1999, Sovana is one of Tuscany's relatively new appellations. It is considered to be one of the great territories for the cultivation of Ciliegiolo, although others such as

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1 wine
Read more about Suvereto DOC

Suvereto DOC

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Read more about Terratico di Bibbona DOC

Terratico di Bibbona DOC

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Read more about Terre di Casole DOC

Terre di Casole DOC

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Read more about Terre di Pisa DOC

Terre di Pisa DOC

Terre di Pisa was created in 2011 to showcase the wines surrounding the Tuscan town of Pisa, and celebrate a viticultural heritage that dates back to the time of the Etruscans. Sangiovese dominates here, but there are als...

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Read more about Toscana IGP

Toscana IGP

Regional appellation covering winemaking across Tuscany. Made particularly famous however by a movement of producers making premium quality wines from non-permitted grape varieties such as

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198 wines
Read more about Val di Cornia DOC

Val di Cornia DOC

Val di Cornia DOC was created in 1989 allowing the wines of this small area of the Maremma opportunity to express its coastal characteristics. In 2011 a new DOCG emerged from the territory known as Rosso della Val di Cornia.

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Read more about Val d’Arbia DOC

Val d’Arbia DOC

Val d’Arbia DOC is focussed primarily on white wine production from local Tuscan grapes such as Grechetto di Orvieto, Vermentino, Trebbiano Toscano an...

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Read more about Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC

Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC

Also known as Valdarno di Sopra DOC and incorporating the former Pietraviva DOC, it covers a range of wine styles.

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3 wines
Read more about Valdichiana Toscana DOC

Valdichiana Toscana DOC

Valdichiana Toscana DOC is home to a range of red, white and rosato wines, as well as sparkling and dessert wines. Red wines must contain a minimum of 50% Sangiovese.

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Read more about Valdinievole DOC

Valdinievole DOC

Established in 1976, the little DOC of Valdinievole is rare used. In theory the appellation affords a little more opportunity for the Canaiolo Nero variety to shine, but as always in Tuscany, alongside

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Read more about Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is one of Tuscany's key white wine growing areas. The wines are dry, structured, and food friendly.

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8 wines
Read more about Vin Santo del Chianti DOC

Vin Santo del Chianti DOC

Important Vin Santo appellation.

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1 wine
Read more about Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC

Italy’s most important Vin Santo appellation, produced in the Chianti Classico area of Tuscany.

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6 wines
Read more about Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC

Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC

Vin Santo di Montepulciano covers Vin Santo style wines produced around the Tuscan town of Montepulciano.

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Read more about Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an important Tuscan appellation for Sangiovese based red wines.

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24 wines