Getting to Know the Wines of Tuscany - By: Giovanni Balboni

When you think of Tuscany, images of rolling hillsides, sunflowers, ancient stone villas and endless fields of grapes are likely to come to mind. If you are interested in the wines from Tuscany, villa rental in the region sets you squarely in a prime location to visit the vineyards that produce some of Italy’s most important wines. By being located right in the heart of this region, you will have easy access to the wine regions of Chianti, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Brunelo di Montalcino, and Morellino di Scansano. While here, you should take the opportunity to visit some of the wineries and get a taste straight from the source.

Chianti — There is no doubt that the name Chianti is most synonymous with Tuscan wine. From many of the Tuscany villa rental properties, you will be within a short drive of two of the Dinominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and the Dinominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOC/G) regions. These are the Italian quality assurance benchmarks for food and wines, and where the ‘real’ Chianti is made. Within the DOC/G there are eight different sub-regions that are allowed to affix the title to their wines, which must be produced with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. While in Tuscany, be sure to visit a winery in the DOC/G region and learn a bit about the history of this ‘Bordeaux of Italy’, in the only area it is made.

Vino Nobile de Montepulciano — While you can certainly sit at home in your Tuscany villa rental and sample the wine, why not head to a winery for the total experience? The Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, like the Chianti, is protected by DOC/G status and is produced in the vineyards that surround Montepulciano, in the heart of Tuscany. This wine is made from primarily the Sangiovese grapes (70%) blended with Canaiolo Nero, and occasionally other local varieties. One thing you should keep in mind while visiting a Vino Nobile de Montepulciano winery, is that these wines should not be confused with those that use the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes, which are made well to the south of the town of Montepulciano.

Brunelo di Montalcino — This is an Italian red wine made from a grape that is the ‘unofficial clone of the Sangiovese’ in the wineries and vineyards that surround the town of Montalcino, about 120 kilometres south of Florence. Booking a holiday in one of the Tuscany villa rental locations in the wine country makes the wineries of Montalcino easy to access. But be sure to plan a special trip to the Brunelo di Montalcino wineries. Since 1980, when it received its DOCG status, it has become one of the best known and most expensive wines in all of Italy, and is a very special treat indeed.

Morellino di Scansano — Also within a short and picturesque drive of your Tuscany villa rental are the wineries in the hillsides that surround the town of Scansano. Made from at least 85% Sangiovese grapes, and granted DOC status in 1978 and DOC/G status in 2007, the remaining 10-15% of this wine is often made up of various non-aromatic black grape varieties which are listed by the DOC/G. Depending on which winery and vintages you try, these other black grapes can alter the taste of the wines and possibly give you a new favourite Tuscan wine.

About the Author

Giovanni Balboni works for To Tuscany, who specialise in finding the perfect Tuscany villa rental in Chianti as well as selected villas in Umbria and Puglia. To Tuscany is proud of their villas and their reputation. Each property is personally selected and visited by our representatives to ensure we offer only the best in the region.

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