Supertoskaner

An attempt at a definition

Often worlds better than the local specialities, but once exclusively produced outside the official wine law: the Super Tuscans.

Up until the 1990s, these premium wines were marketed as ordinary table wine. That is until the new designation of origin «Toscana igt» was created especially for it – and Bolgheri even received its own «doc» (which, by the way, recently celebrated its 25th birthday).

Doc, igt … come again?

There are different quality classifications for wines in Italy. Basically, if it says «docg» on the outside, it’s got the highest quality inside. Although the top two levels also stipulate which grape varieties the winemaker can use, and how the wine must be vinified, some absolute premium wines can also be found in the igt classification.

docg Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita
doc Denominazione di origine controllata
igt Indicazione geografica tipica

Bordeaux as a role model

Anyone who takes notice of grape composition will realise: that’s a Bordeaux in the bottle. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet franc, Petit Verdot – the traditional grapes of the French nation are also considered international varieties, as they can be found all over the world these days. Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta isn’t the only one to be inspired by France when it comes to wine …

Who invented it?

Bordeaux-crazy Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta (r.) was already experimenting with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc at his Tenuta San Guido estate in the 1940s. Believe it or not, he waited 30 years before allowing his son Nicolò (l.) to finally introduce «his house wine» Sassicaia to the market in its 1968 vintage. His cousin Marchese Piero Antinori, however, was the first to dare to blend Sangiovese with Cabernet and age it in a barrique. He went on to launch the 1971 vintage of his legendary Tignanello.

A little geography lesson

istorically, there are two main Super Tuscan hotspots: Bolgheri, with wines like Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Masseto; and the Chianti region, with wines like Tignanello and Solaia.

All about Super Tuscans

An attempt at a definition

Often worlds better than the local specialities, but once exclusively produced outside the official wine law: the Super Tuscans.

Doc, igt … come again?

Bordeaux as a role model

Who invented it?

A little geography lesson

Our range of Super Tuscans

Any questions?

Give us a call!

Or stop by our vinotecas!

Contact

Newsletter

Payment methods

Social Media

Wine-growing countries

Wine-growing regions

Wine varieties

Wine types

Producers

Grape varieties

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All about Super Tuscans

An attempt at a definition

Often worlds better than the local specialities, but once exclusively produced outside the official wine law: the Super Tuscans.

Doc, igt … come again?

Bordeaux as a role model

Who invented it?

A little geography lesson

Our range of Super Tuscans

Any questions?

Give us a call!

Or stop by our vinotecas!

Contact

Newsletter

Payment methods

Social Media

Wine-growing countries

Wine-growing regions

Wine varieties

Wine types

Producers

Grape varieties