Tuscany has a long wine-growing tradition and has been nurtured by passionate men since ancient times. Vines were planted in Tuscany during the Etruscan period, 600 years before Christ.
Later, the Greeks and Romans greatly contributed to the development of viticulture in the region, as wine occupied a noble place in their cultures. This love of wine is still so deeply rooted that even in the Middle Ages, fine wines remained a daily and essential part of Italian meals.
Thanks to this uninterrupted and rich viticultural history in Tuscany, the region acquired invaluable know-how that enabled it to extend the reputation of its wines beyond the country's borders. From the 14th century onwards, illustrious families such as the Medici, Antinori and Frescobaldi families elevated the reputation of Tuscan wines throughout Europe. England in particular was completely seduced by these sophisticated wines.
Tuscan wines are currently renowned for their quintessential power and elegance. Always located in the heart of prestigious terroirs, these Italian wines cultivate their nuances.
Its rolling hills and Mediterranean climate make it ideal for the production of quality wines. Its emblematic red wines are world-renowned, with Bolgheri, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico, the most widely distributed Italian wine in the world.
Tuscany comprises 24 DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) wines, five of which are classified as DOCGs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita): Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Vin Noble di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Carmignano. These Tuscan appellations are divided between traditional areas in the heart of the region and more recent ones have developed around the area's historical sites.
While the local Sangiovese grape, also known as Niellucio, is the king of Tuscan grape varieties and the source of the famous Chianti Classico and the no less famous Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany also comprises international vines.
Indeed, following the Super Tuscan revolution in the 1970s, Italian winegrowers began to cultivate typical Bordeaux grape varieties. An exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon, such as the great Sassicaia wine, testifies to Tuscany's ability to produce high-quality wines using an international approach to vine growing.