The Beginners Guide to SUPER TUSCAN Wines

Hi everybody, this is Agnes from No Sediment and today let's talk about Super Tuscan wines. I am now in Tuscany, this absolutely beautiful and legendary wine country of Italy. It is famous with its Sangiovese grape variety that is responsible for wines such as Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, but it is also famous with its Super Tuscan wines. But what really is Super Tuscan wine? It is in fact a well-known term, probably as much as Chianti and Brunello, but while these wines have legends and history that surrounds them, Super Tuscan wines are actually pretty new. Let's start with the fact that wine professionals often compare Tuscany with Bordeaux and Bordeaux has been seen as this winemaking area that produces high quality red wines that are age-worthy and dictate high prices. In 1940s and 1950s few Tuscan winemakers saw similarities between some parts of Tuscany and Bordeaux, so they decided to start experimenting with Bordeaux grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. What for some started as a hobby or experiment later became to legendary wines with great aging potential that could be sold for a premium price. But since most of these wines were made outside the appellation regulations and made from the grape varieties not typical to this area, they were labeled as vino de tavolo or table wine. Sassicaia is believed to be the first Super Tuscan wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. Because of its success and critical acclaim others followed. Names such as Ornalea, Solaia, Tinanello and Masetto. Behind me you see the legendary winery of Antinori. This building was built in 2013 and it was actually built in the rock itself and it is one of the best known wine producers from Tuscany and it is also responsible for such famous wines as Tinanello. Eventually Bulgari region received its DOC. Later Bulgari Sassicaia DOC followed as an official sub zone and these wines were no longer labeled as a vino de tavolo. Super Tuscan wines are made in a very similar manner as the age-worthy wines of Bordeaux, meaning rigid grape selection, expensive equipment and temperature controlled fermentation and often they are aged in small French oak barrels. While French grape varieties still dominate with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot, there is seen increase of Sangiovese in the blend. Super Tuscans will be wines of power, structure, depth and concentration. Very often they will show noticeable oak on the nose with hints of spiciness. Some argue that these wines are riper and more luscious than Bordeaux red wines but I think that really is a question of the vintage. And while Super Tuscan wines can be enjoyed young, they are wines capable of long cellaring. I hope you liked my video. I publish weekly videos on all things wine and if you're not subscribed yet, please do!