Provinces: Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Leghorn, Lucca,
Massa Carrara, Prato, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena
The region of Florence, long noted as the source of Chianti
in straw-based flasks, has rapidly evolved into Italy’s
leading provider of modern red wines, whether D.O.C.,
D.O.C.G. or in the nebulous category known as “Super
Tuscans.”
Chianti, produced in eight subdistricts
centred in the historic hills of Florence and Siena,
remains the most voluminous of Italy’s classified
wines and the leading expression of the native Sangiovese
grape. What has come to be called the modern renaissance
in Tuscan wine began in Chianti in the 1970s and spread
through the central zones of Brunello di Montalcino,
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmignano, Pomino and
Vernaccia di San Gimignano, while engendering the innovative “Super
Tuscans” from a host of grape varieties.
Recent
progress has been most prominent along the coast of the
Tyrrhenian Sea, notably in Bolgheri but also in the coastal
hills of the Maremma to the south, where recently conceived
D.O.C. wines are gaining prominence. Holding its own
among the novelties is Vin Santo, Tuscany’s traditional
dessert wine made from partly dried grapes.
Useful contacts:
Regione Tuscany - Enoteca Italiana - Fortezza Medicea
- 53100 Siena - Tel.: 0039 0577 228 811, Fax: 0039 0577
228 888 - e-mail: info@enoteca-italiana.it www.enoteca-italiana.it
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - Piazza XX Settembre,
18 - Livorno - Tel.: 0039 0586 896 060 - http://www.wineday.org |
