Tuscany (wine)

Tuscany is a region in central Italy known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its influence on high culture. It is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and has been home to many influential figures in the history of art and science. Tuscany is also famous for its wines, most notably the reds Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino and the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Geography

Tuscany is located in central Italy and has an area of about 23,000 square kilometers. The region is known for its diverse landscapes that include the rugged Apennine Mountains, the western island of Elba, and the Chianti wine region.

History

The history of winemaking in Tuscany dates back to the Etruscan civilization, who inhabited the region between the 8th and 3rd century BC. The Etruscans were skilled winemakers and the region has continued to produce wine ever since.

Wine Production

Tuscany is home to some of the world's most notable wine regions. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are primarily made with Sangiovese grape whereas the Vernaccia grape is the basis of the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Chianti

Chianti wine is a red wine produced in the Chianti region in central Tuscany. It was historically associated with a squat bottle enclosed in a straw basket, called a fiasco. However, the fiasco is only used by a few makers of the wine as most Chianti is now bottled in more standard shaped wine bottles.

Brunello di Montalcino

Brunello di Montalcino is a red Italian wine produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino. It is made from 100% Sangiovese and is one of Italy's best-known and most expensive wines.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a red wine with Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita status produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montepulciano. The wine is primarily made from the Sangiovese grape varietal (known locally as Prugnolo gentile).

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a type of wine made from the Vernaccia grape in the areas around San Gimignano. In Italy, it is one of the best-known white wines and was the first Italian wine to be awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata status in 1966.

See Also

• Italian wine
• List of Italian DOC wines
• List of Italian DOCG wines