🍷 Super Tuscan
A Tuscan red made outside the old rules, often with French varieties.
Super Tuscan is an informal name for red wines from Tuscany made outside the old rules of the area. These wines appeared in the 1970s. Producers wanted to work in their own way and used not only the local Sangiovese but also French grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The rules of the time banned such blends, so the wines fell into the simple table-wine category. Later a new category was created for them, IGT, meaning a wine with a place indication. Today many Super Tuscans are sold under that label. “Super Tuscan” is not a legal term but the name of a style.
These wines are usually dark, full-bodied and tannic, and they are aged in oak barrels. They cost more than ordinary wines, and some have become famous worldwide.
Super Tuscan belongs to Italian wine and to Tuscany in general. Some are made from Sangiovese alone, others blend it with Cabernet. The name describes a style and an approach, not a guarantee of taste. Alcohol is for adults.
Links
- Part of
- 🍷 Types of wine
- Where it is made
- 🗺️ Italian wine
- Related to
- 🍇 Sangiovese, 🍇 Cabernet Sauvignon
- Similar and different
- 🏷️ IGT, 📍 Tuscany
Frequently asked questions
What is a Super Tuscan?
An informal name for Tuscan red wines made outside the old regional rules, often with French grapes.
Why were Super Tuscans table wines?
The rules did not allow such blends. Later the IGT category was introduced for them.
What grapes are used in Super Tuscans?
Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and others, alone or blended.
Similar
🍷 Vino cotto · 🍷 Piquette · 🍷 Homemade wine · 🍷 Vin nouveau · 🍷 Amphora wine · 🍷 Natural wine
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.