From Chianti Classico to Super Tuscan

the story of an oenological evolution

The history of Super Tuscans is linked to Chianti Classico and stems from the strong desire of some producers to break away from the rules and abandon the rigidity of production specifications, in the name of an ‘oenological evolution’ that would bring further value to Italian wine production.

In a broader sense, we tend to consider Super Tuscan all wines produced in Tuscany that for whatever reason (geographical area, grape yield, vinification and/or maturation methods, etc.) do not fall within the production specifications of their area of origin.

From the will and skill of the best Tuscan winegrowers and oenologists comes this new type of wine, appreciated today all over the world.

The very fact of not responding to a specification has always favoured the creative freedom of producers, who have gradually produced wines of this kind in every corner of Tuscany, from the Maremma to Chianti, from the Florentine hills to the mining valleys of the south.

Generally speaking, there are some recurring characteristics. Super Tuscan is a red wine that is aged for at least one year in small oak barrels, the barriques. It is produced from indigenous grapes (e.g. Sangiovese aged in barriques) or international grapes (especially Bordeaux), or from a blend of the two. What also characterises these wines is the history of their vineyards, their soul and the territory in which they were planted.

In the past, they belonged to the ‘Vino da Tavola’ category along with other much simpler wines, which is why a paradoxical situation arose. To remedy this possible misunderstanding, the enthusiastic critics of these new wines began to call them Super Tuscans, precisely to distinguish them from the other lower quality reds that were labelled ‘Vino da Tavola’.

Over time, Super Tuscan has become synonymous with bold, adventurous winemaking that goes beyond tradition with producers experimenting with new blends and cultivation methods.

In short, if you want to know what a Super Tuscan is and what the difference between a Chianti Classico and a Super Tuscan is, you have to taste it by discovering and interpreting the place where it was made. You have to know the history of the people who made it and the origins of the soil where the vineyard is located.

In any case, whether you feel like a traditionalist or an innovator, we are waiting for you to taste the excellence of Tuscan red wines at Villa di Sotto!