📍 Bolgheri

Bolgheri is a small zone on the Tuscan coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the province of Livorno, around the village of Bolgheri and its famous cypress avenue. It is part of Tuscany. The area became famous as the birthplace of the so-called “Super Tuscans”, French-style reds that did not fit the region's traditional rules.

It began with Sassicaia: its first vintages of the 1960s were released at first as simple table wine, and later it received its own appellation, Bolgheri Sassicaia. The main red of Bolgheri (DOC Bolgheri) is made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, sometimes with other grapes added. Among whites grow Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc; rosés are made too.

The sea is close, the climate mild, and the soils vary widely, from clay and gravel to sand. This gives wines of different character, from powerful and tannic to lighter and fruitier.

Bolgheri shows that world recognition in Italy is possible without following old rules, and these wines are priced well above ordinary Tuscan ones. Sassicaia and neighbouring estates grew up on a coast that once had few vineyards, and today Bolgheri remains one of Tuscany's most expensive zones. The local Bolgheri Rosso is simpler and cheaper and shows the style of the area well.