Sangiovese country, from Chianti Classico and Montalcino to the Bolgheri coast: the key wines, zones and bottles to try first
Tuscan wine means Sangiovese: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile, plus the Super Tuscans of the coast. Discover its wines and what to try first.
Tuscany is Italy's most famous wine region. Its hills between Florence and Siena, the slopes of Montalcino and Montepulciano, and the coast around Bolgheri produce some of the world's best-known reds. Most are based on the native Sangiovese grape, which gives bright cherry fruit, savoury herbs and firm acidity, but Tuscany also grows Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah for its modern Super Tuscans, and makes the historic white Vernaccia and the sweet Vin Santo.
| Wine | Style | Main grapes | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chianti | Medium red, fresh | Sangiovese (min. 70%) | Central Tuscany | $ |
| Chianti Classico | Medium to full red | Sangiovese (min. 80%) | Between Florence and Siena | $–$$ |
| Brunello di Montalcino | Full, age-worthy red | 100% Sangiovese | Montalcino | $$$ |
| Rosso di Montalcino | Medium red | 100% Sangiovese | Montalcino | $–$$ |
| Vino Nobile di Montepulciano | Medium to full red | Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile) | Montepulciano | $$ |
| Morellino di Scansano | Medium red, ripe | Sangiovese | Maremma | $ |
| Bolgheri Rosso and Super Tuscans | Full red | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese | Coast and beyond | $$–$$$ |
| Carmignano | Medium to full red | Sangiovese with Cabernet | West of Florence | $$ |
| Vernaccia di San Gimignano | Dry white | Vernaccia | San Gimignano | $ |
| Vermentino | Dry white | Vermentino | Coast | $ |
| Vin Santo | Sweet, from dried grapes | Trebbiano, Malvasia | Across Tuscany | $$ |
Price guide for typical US retail: $ under $20, $$ $20–40, $$$ over $40.
Chianti is the most famous name in Italian wine, and also the most confusing. There are two separate denominations:
Good Chianti Classico has sour cherry, violet, dried herbs and a savoury, earthy finish, with firm acidity that makes it ideal with food. See Chianti vs Chianti Classico and the best Chianti Classico wines.
The hilltop town of Montalcino, south of Siena, makes Tuscany's most prestigious Sangiovese. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be 100% Sangiovese and cannot be released until five years after the harvest, with at least two years in wood (six years for Riserva). The result is a powerful, complex red with dark cherry, leather, tobacco and spice, built to age for decades.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC comes from the same area and grape but is released younger: a fresher, more affordable way to taste the Montalcino style. See the best Brunello di Montalcino wines.
The Renaissance town of Montepulciano, in southeastern Tuscany, makes Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG from the local form of Sangiovese called Prugnolo Gentile. It sits between Chianti Classico and Brunello in weight, with plum, cherry and spice. Don't confuse it with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which is made from a different grape in another region.
In the 1970s, Tuscan producers began making wines outside the traditional rules, often with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot or with 100% Sangiovese when Chianti still required white grapes in the blend. Sold as simple table wine, these Super Tuscans became some of Italy's most expensive bottles. Today most are labelled Toscana IGT or Costa Toscana IGT.
On the coast, Bolgheri DOC is the home of Bordeaux-style blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and the estate that started it all has its own denomination, Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC. Further south, the Maremma produces ripe, generous reds: Morellino di Scansano DOCG is Sangiovese-based, while Maremma Toscana DOC, Suvereto DOCG and Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG cover a wide range of styles. See our best Super Tuscan wines.
Sangiovese is often blended with local grapes such as Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo.
Producers worth knowing include Antinori, Frescobaldi, Castello di Ama, Fontodi and Fèlsina in Chianti Classico; Biondi-Santi, Banfi and Casanova di Neri in Montalcino; and Tenuta San Guido, Ornellaia and Le Macchiole in Bolgheri.
What are the most famous red wines from Tuscany?
Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, all based on Sangiovese, together with the Super Tuscans and the Bordeaux-style reds of Bolgheri.
What is the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?
They are separate denominations. Chianti Classico comes only from the historic zone between Florence and Siena, requires at least 80% Sangiovese and carries the Black Rooster seal. Chianti covers a much larger area with less strict rules.
What does a Super Tuscan taste like?
It depends on the blend. Cabernet- and Merlot-based Super Tuscans are full-bodied, with blackcurrant, plum, cedar and vanilla from oak; Sangiovese-based ones keep Tuscany's cherry fruit and acidity with more richness and polish.
Is Chianti a high-end wine?
Chianti ranges from inexpensive everyday wine to serious bottles. Chianti Classico Riserva and Gran Selezione from good producers are fine wines that age for a decade or more.
What is the best Tuscan wine?
Brunello di Montalcino is usually considered Tuscany's greatest traditional wine, while Bolgheri's top estates make its most celebrated modern reds. For value, Chianti Classico and Rosso di Montalcino are hard to beat.
What white wine is Tuscany known for?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano is Tuscany's classic white; Vermentino from the coast is increasingly popular. The region is also famous for the sweet Vin Santo.