Tuscany Sangiovese Grosso

Not officially recognized within the Italian wine classification system, Super Tuscan wines are newer, red wines that emerged in Italy when sales of Chianti faded in the 1970s. Many of the existing Chianti wines were thought to be of lesser quality, and a group of wine producers believed they could produce better wine.

These wine producers felt the legal rules governing the production of wine were too restrictive and began to ignore the established guidelines. They coined the name “Super Tuscan” differentiate their Chianti-style wines from the existing wines, which most critics believed were inferior.

Like early Super Tuscan wines, most of today’s Super Tuscans contain the Sangiovese grape, while others are made from Merlot and blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Innovative producers of Super Tuscan wine experiment with Bordeaux-inspired blends, and many of these grapes are imported from other regions and planted later. 

If you enjoy rich, smooth red wines that don’t conform to centuries-old standards, and you don’t mind paying a bit more than the cost of an average liquor store wine, Super Tuscan wine belongs on your dinner table.

Not officially recognized within the Italian wine classification system, Super Tuscan wines are newer, red wines that emerged in Italy when sales of Chianti faded in the 1970s. Many of the existing Chianti wines were thought to be of lesser quality, and a group of wine producers believed they could produce better wine.

These wine producers felt the legal rules governing the production of wine were too restrictive and began to ignore the established guidelines. They coined the name “Super Tuscan” differentiate their Chianti-style wines from the existing wines, which most critics believed were inferior.

Like early Super Tuscan wines, most of today’s Super Tuscans contain the Sangiovese grape, while others are made from Merlot and blends of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Innovative producers of Super Tuscan wine experiment with Bordeaux-inspired blends, and many of these grapes are imported from other regions and planted later. 

If you enjoy rich, smooth red wines that don’t conform to centuries-old standards, and you don’t mind paying a bit more than the cost of an average liquor store wine, Super Tuscan wine belongs on your dinner table.