Last updated on November 14th, 2024
If you are traveling to Tuscany then chances are you plan on drinking some fine wine along the way. Whether this is your first time trying Tuscan wines or you are a wine lover at heart, it’s helpful to get the lowdown on the best wines to try in Tuscany.
Living in Tuscany since 2012 has given me ample opportunity to travel throughout the entire region sampling, purchasing, pairing and comparing all the different wines that Tuscany has to offer.
I also have several Italian family members who work in the wine industry, giving me first hand experience with the harvest, processing and making of wine in Tuscany.
In this article, I will share with you all you could ever hope to know about wines in Tuscany including:
- Main wine areas in Tuscany
- Main grape varieties in Tuscany
- Tuscan wine classifications
- Red wines to try in Tuscany
- White wines to try in Tuscany + other favorites
- Dessert wines and digestives to try in Tuscany
- Wine tours in Tuscany
- Where to drink and buy wines in Tuscany
- Where to buy wines in Tuscany
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Main Tuscan Wine Areas
Tuscany is some of the most famous and beloved wine country in all of Italy but within the region itself, there are several different areas, each characterized by a different climate, wine production and thus, label.
Chianti Classico
The Chianti Classico region refers to a specific area within the Chianti region spanning between Siena and Florence including the municipalities of Greve In Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, part of Barberino Val d’Elsa, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and Poggibonsi.
Chianti
The Chianti region refers to the seven remaining areas of the Chianti area including Florence, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Rufina, Montespertoli, and Siena.
Montalcino
Located just South of Siena, Montalcino wine country is home to some of the most famous Italian red wines including the Brunello di Montalcino, characterized by rolling hills and a varied climate from one kilometer to the next.
Wine Tasting in Montalcino: Read all about my personal recommendations for wine tasting in Montalcino at Siro Pacenti Winery (Montalcino) – My Experience Touring and Tasting Wines, Conti Costanti Winery in Montalcino – My Experience Touring and Tasting Wines and Montalcino Wineries – My Top 5 Montalcino Wine Tours.
Fit In: Learn How to Toast in Italian!
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is located just a 40 minute drive east of Montalcino, an area of wine production known for their good table wine and elegant Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Don’t have time to visit both Montepulciano and Montalcino? Read Which Is Better To Visit In Southern Tuscany – Montepulciano or Montalcino?
Wine Tasting In Montepulciano: Read my first hand accounts of wine tasting in Montepulciano in
Valdipiatta Winery
Avignonesi Winery
Montepulciano Wineries
Morellino di Scansano
Morellino di Scansano is located in southern Tuscany best known for their production of the Morellino Sangiovese grape variety.
Bolgheri
Bolgheri is one of the newer wine areas of Tuscany located just inland of the coast about halfway up the Tuscan coastline.
The Bolgheri area is best known for their production of Super Tuscan wines.
San Gimignano
The San Gimignano wine region located just next door to the Chianti Classico region is famous for the production of Vernaccia white wine.
Other Wine Regions Within Tuscany
Within Tuscany there are close to 20 more subregions of wine production beyond the main ones I have described above:
- Colli di Luni
- Candia dei Colli Apuani
- Colline Lucchesi
- Montecarlo
- Bianco della Valdinievola
- Carmignano
- Bianco dell’Empolese
- Bianco Pisano di San Torpe
- Pomino
- Cortona
- Orcla
- Malvasia di delle Lipari
- Pantelleria
- Val di Cornia
- Monteregio di Massa Maritima
- Bianco di Pitigliano / Savona
- Capalbio / Cortona
- Ansoniaca Costa dell’Argentaria
- Elba
Wine Lover? Be sure to read Where to Drink Wine in Italy and Where to Buy Wine in Italy!
Key Grape Varieties In Tuscany
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the most widely planted grape variety in Tuscany used to make the region’s most popular red wines including Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montepulciano, all of which are acidic, rich and well-bodied, perfect for pairing with red meat and pork.
Fact: About ⅔ of the grape production in Tuscany is made up of Sangiovese.
Trebbiano
Trebbiano is the most widely planted white grape variety in Tuscany used to make some of the region’s most beloved white wines and Vin Santo.
Fact: About 6% of the grape production in Tuscany is made up of Trebbiano.
Vermentino
Vermentino is another white grape planted in Tuscany that does particularly well on the seaside. The grapes produce fresh, crisp white wines with notes of peach, apricot and citrus best paired with seafood.
Vernaccia
Vernaccia is a white grape variety produced in the wine region of San Gimignano within Tuscany characterized by a crisp flavor accented with light floral notes.
Others Grape Varieties In Tuscany
In addition to these four main grape varieties grown in Tuscany, it’s important to mention these other grape varieties that are grown in small quantities:
- Canaiolo Nero
- Colorino
- Malvasia Bianca Lunga
- Petit Verdot
- Chardonnay
Super Tuscan Grape Varieties in Tuscany
These grapes are planted in smaller quantities and used to make the Super Tuscan wines with the IGT label.
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Syrah
- Cabernet Franc
- Bordeaux
Tuscan Wine Classifications
Wines within Tuscany may be classified for their quality and geographical location, just as many Italian foods are. This system of classifying wines was first established in Montalcino.
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Abbreviated to DOC is a classification of a specific quality wine within a specific geographical location.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC, for example, indicates that it’s made with a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grape in Montalcino.
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
Abbreviated to DOCG, this is the most prestigious certification a wine can obtain referring to not only the geographical location and specific qualifications of that wine but it’s guaranteed, as its name suggests.
Fact: Wines with a DOCG certification will generally be more expensive and be of better quality than a DOC wine.
Indicazione Geografica Tipica
Abbreviated to IGT, this certification is given to wines made within a specific region but are made with non-native grape varieties.
Nice To Know: Although the IGT certification is not nearly as prestigious as the DOCG label, it does not necessarily indicate a lower price point or quality. There are some excellent and very expensive IGT wines in Tuscany. The sole difference lies in the type of grapes that are used to make the wine (those that are non-native to the region).
What Is A Riserva?
When you see the term riserva added to a red wine from Tuscany, it’s an indication of a longer aging process, resulting in a more complex wine, considered of higher quality.
The price point will be much higher than another comparable wine that is of the same vintage and name but without the riserva.
For example, a Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is aged for the same two years in wooden barrels but then another 4 years in the glass bottle before going on the market (insead of a minimum of 3 years for the regular Brunello di Montalcino).
Wineries decide when and how much riserva to produce based on the production and quality of a particular vintage. If in 2026, for example, the harvest proves to be very good, the winery will most likely decide to invest a part of their Vino Nobile di Montepulciano to become a riserva by aging it for a longer period.
Red Wines To Try In Tuscany
All red wines from Tuscany are full bodied, rich and well balanced wines best paired with red meat, pork, sausage, cured meats and charcuterie boards, local cheeses and rich soups and stews such as ribollita and peposo.
Chianti Classico DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG red wine is made from a minimum of 80% Sangiovese grape with the remaining 20% from other red grapes within the Chianti Classico region spanning between Siena and Florence including the municipalities of Greve In Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, part of Barberino Val d’Elsa, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Castelnuovo Berardenga, and Poggibonsi.
You can recognize a bottle of Chianti Classico by the Black Rooster trademark located most typically on the neck of the bottle or on the wine label itself.
Nice To Know: A winemaker can use any percentage of Sangiovese grapes (even 100%, which many producers do now), as long as it upholds the minimum requirement.
Chianti DOC
Chianti wine that is not classified as classico is produced in the remaining seven sub-regions of the Chianti area including Florence, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Rufina, Montespertoli, and Siena and is made up from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese.
For example, the Chianti Colli Senesi wine is produced in the province of Siena. You can see by the name that it does not include the word classico because it’s not produced in one of the Chianti Classico regions .
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made similar to Chianti wine with a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grape. It’s aged for 2 years, one of which must be in a barrel.
Characterized by its garnet red color, this dry red wine is well balanced and rich, perfect for grilled meats, wild game (commonly served in the province of Siena) and aged cheeses such as pecorino.
Vino Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Montepulciano red wine, known as Rosso di Montepulciano in Italian, is made from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese grapes. The remaining 30% can be a combination of other grapes as decided upon by the winery.
It’s less complex than the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, making it a good everyday table wine, one that our family enjoys very much on a daily basis.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be aged for at least two years in wooden barrels and at least another 3 years in the glass bottle.
The wine is elegantly balanced with notes of cherry, licorice and hazelnut and aromas of toasted oak and leather (so they say, I honestly don’t have a nose for this but I do know that it’s delicious).
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, the riserva is aged for the same two years in wooden barrels but then another 4 years in the glass bottle before going on the market.
The taste of a Brunello Riserva is similar to a regular Brunello but with an even more silky texture.
Rosso Di Montalcino DOC
The rosso di Montalcino is made with 100% Sangiovese but only requires one year in the wooden barrels and 1 year in the bottle, meaning it’s a much younger wine compared to the Brunello di Montalcino
Super Tuscans
Wines made in Tuscany from international grape varieties, that is to say, non-native grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, Merlot, or Syrah, or Cabernet Franc are classified as Super Tuscans. They may be a single variety wine or a blend and may or may not include Sangiovese in them. Most notable is the Sassicaia IGT wine.
Because Super Tuscans are not made with native varieties of grapes from Tucany, they cannot be classified as DOC or DOCG wines. Instead, they will be classified as an IGT wine.
White Wines To Try In Tuscany
Trebbiano
Trebbiano wines are light and crisp. When selecting a Trebbiano wine to taste in Tuscany, I recommend you ask for a suggestion from the wine bar or restaurant because Trebbiano is grown throughout Italy and used to make other white wines outside of Tuscany as well.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG white wine, made only in the wine region of San Gimignano, must be made from a minimum of 85% Vernaccia di San Gimignano and 15% of other white grapes.
Many of us, including myself, enjoy Vernaccia for an aperitivo but it also pairs well with fish, chicken, wild game and pastas made in bianco or white sauces (without tomato).
Colli di Luni Vermentino DOC
Colli di Luni Vermentino DOC must be made with a minimum of 90% Vermentino grapes with the remaining 10% of grapes at the winemaker’s discretion.
The wine is an intense yellow color with a fruity yet dry flavor, perfect for fresh cheeses, light seafood and chicken.
Malvasia del Chianti
Malvasia is a popular white grape variety that grows particularly well in the Chianti region. Look for Malvasia white wines or blends, which are more common.
Other Wines To Try In Tuscany
These wines are not nearly as famous as the wines described above but they are good enough (and accessible) to deserve a place on my list of wines to try in Tuscany.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Morellino di Scansano DOCG is a red wine made from a specific variety of Sangiovese that is lighter and more crisp than other red wines. And unlike other Sangiovese wines, it’s on the market just eight months after harvest, not years!
Carmignano DOCG
Carmignano DOCG is a red wine produced in Prato from a very specific combination of grapes: a minimum of 50% Sangiovese, up to 20% Canaiolo Nero, from 10-20% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon, and up to maximum of 10% of Trebbiano Toscano, Canaiolo Bianco and/or Malvasia del Chianti.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC is a robust red wine made from a minimum of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and a maximum of 20% of grapes of other varieties. Like other red wines in Tuscany, its bold flavor is best suited for rich meat dishes or aged cheese.
Montecucco Rosso Doc
Montecucco DOC red wine is made with a minimum of 60% Sangiovese grapes and a maximum of 40% other red grapes. It’s particularly well suited with cinghiale or wild boar dishes.
Maremma Toscana Rosso DOC
Maremma Toscana DOC red, produced in the southern half of Tuscany in the province of Grosseto, is made with a minimum of 40% Sangiovese grapes and with a maximum of 60% other dark grapes.
Dessert Wines & Digestives
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC is a sweet dessert wine made from a minimum of 60% Trebbiano and/or Malvasia grape varieties and 40% of other varieties.
It’s a syrupy, rich wine that is dark gold or amber in color best enjoyed in small quantities (trust me on the amount, it can give you an awful headache the next day) for dessert with cookies such as cantuccini or ricciarelli.
Good To Know: Vin Santo is made not only in Chianti but all over Tuscany from a different combination or a single variety of grapes. The best I have ever had is the Occhio di Pernice from Avignonesi in Montepulciano.
Grappa di Montalcino
Grappa is a digestif made by distilling the skins, pulp, seeds and stems remaining from the winemaking process. It’s generally very strong and enjoyed after dinner by means of digesting your food. It may also be used to make a caffè corretto.
Like Vin Santo, Grappa isn’t necessarily from Montalcino. Grappa can be made all over Italy but the most famous and well known kind is from here.
Where To Taste, Drink And Buy Wines In Tuscany
There are so many options in terms of buying and drinking wine in Tuscany. Consider the following:
- Wineries: best for a full immersion experience
- Bars: best budget friendly option and to taste local wines
- Restaurants: best for pairing wine with food
- Wine bars: known as enoteche in Italian, these are best for the biggest selection and a knowledgeable staff
- Grocery stores: best for last minute purchases
To read more specifics about wine tasting in Italy, check out
Where To Taste Wines In Florence – 8 Enotecas You Can’t Miss In Florence
Where To Buy Wine In Italy – Tips From A Local
Where To Drink Wine In Italy – Tips On Wine Tasting In Italy From A Local
My Top 5 Wine Bars (Enoteche) in Montepulciano – A Local’s Guide
Heading to Florence? Wine is one of my Favorite Food Souvenirs from Florence and Favorite Food Souvenirs from Tuscany.
Tips For Trying And Tasting Wines In Tuscany
- If you are at a wine bar and new to wine or don’t know where to start, don’t be afraid to ask for a suggestion. The staff at enoteche usually have a pretty good knowledge about what they offer.
- I find wine tours to be one of the best experiences that new travelers to Tuscany can have. It gets you off the beaten path and gives you a sense of the winemaking process from start to finish.
- When booking a winery visit, confirm that your tasting is a guided tasting, which will help you actually understand the wines and the nuances of each, not simply taste them.
- If you are at a wine tasting with several glasses, don’t be afraid to skip around from glass to glass. Some suggest you drink in order of how they are served but there is no rule.
- Consider eating at Michelin star restaurants who will have a sommelier on site to guide you through how each wine is carefully paired with each dish.
