What is Super Tuscan? All you need to know about the basics and branded wines

What is "Super Tuscan" Italian wine?

Made in Tuscany, Italy, it is of high quality that is recognized worldwide, and can be said to be a wine that transcends wine laws. This time, we will introduce the basic knowledge of Super Tuscan and its representative wine.

Super Tuscan that transcends Italian wine laws

To understand what Super Tuscan is, you first need to understand Italian wine law. In Italy, the Wine Law was enacted in 1963. France's wine law was enacted in 1935, so it is about 30 years behind France.

In Italy's wine law, from the top: ``DOCG (Controlled Designation of Origin)'', ``DOC (Controlled Designation of Origin)'', ``IGT (Geographical Indication)'', and ``Vino da Tavola''.Currently known as Vino. )" four-level rating was established.

Historically, the Denomination of Origin meant that the wine was traditionally made in that area, and required that indigenous grape varieties be used. Aware of the potential of Tuscany in central Italy, wine producers who were not satisfied with Tuscany's designation of origin began to make wine with an emphasis on quality. Even though there was no appropriate name for it, its quality was highly praised and surprised the world. Wines made with free ideas that transcend wine laws came to be called Super Tuscan (or Super Tuscan).

The wine that pioneered this was Sassicaia.

Birth of Super Tuscan “Sassicaia”

Bolgheri, the birthplace of Sassicaia, is located on the coast of Tuscany, southwest of Florence. In the 1940s, Marquis Mario Incisa Rocchetta of this region was a big fan of Bordeaux wine and had Cabernet Sauvignon seedlings sent to him by Château Lafite Rothschild, one of the five major Bordeaux chateaux, to make wine for his own use. was building. After that, genius brewer Giacomo Takis worked on this, and the first vintage 1968 was released.

In Bolgheri, only white and rosé wines were designated as DOC, so Sassicaia was ranked the lowest of the four tiers, Vino da Tavola. Despite this, the 1972 vintage of Sassicaia beat out Bordeaux's first-class chateaus in a blind tasting in Decanter, Britain's most prestigious wine magazine. The news shocked the world and catapulted Sassicaia to top stardom.

Following Sassicaia, producers producing Super Tuscan appeared one after another, and in the 1980s it became an international boom, and Super Tuscan became a wine that was traded at a high price.

Super Tuscan caused a reversal in which it became a high-class wine even though it could not be called by its name. It can be said that it is unique to Italians that they demonstrate their abilities when they deviate from the rules.

In 1994, Sassicaia was promoted to DOC. Its name is "Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC". This is the only case in which DOC is added to the name of a wine.

Bolgheri, the land of the Super Tuscans

There is a reason why Bolgheri, an unknown wine region, achieved success with Super Tuscan. Bolgheri has a similar climate and soil to Bordeaux. Bordeaux has a history of being originally a swampland that was developed by the Dutch. Bolgheri was once a wetland, and in the mid-19th century, large-scale land reclamation was carried out to prevent malaria. Bolgheri has a slightly higher temperature and less precipitation than Bordeaux, but like Bordeaux, it can be said to have a climate suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon. The soil is sandy, which is also suitable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The clay soil, combined with Bolgheri's climate, makes it the perfect location for growing Merlot.

Super Tuscan was also innovative in its brewing method. Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, and the wine was aged in barriques (Otaru). When Super Tuscan was first introduced, it was common practice in Italy to age wine in large Slovonian oak barrels. Using French oak barriques was a challenge.

Super Tuscan was a big hit with French varieties such as Cabernet and Merlot, but it is noteworthy that it has become a wonderful wine that has a taste different from French wine and allows you to feel the Tuscan terroir.

Super Tuscan in Chianti Classico

The Supertuscan was born not only in the Bolgheri region, but also inland in the Chianti Classico region (the hilly region between Florence and Siena). This is due to the excellent soil that can support not only Sangiovese, the main variety of Chianti Classico, but also international varieties. The pioneer of this is "Tignanello". This wine was created in 1971 by the prestigious Antinori family, and was also created by the genius winemaker Giacomo Takis. Tignanello is primarily Sangiovese, but is also a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. At that time, Chianti Classico could not use international varieties and had to be blended with white grapes. Antinori had doubts about this, so he marketed Tignanello as Vino da Tavola, which did not fit the Chianti Classico name.

The regulations for Chianti Classico have since changed, and there is no longer an obligation to blend white grapes. Tignanello can now be called Chianti Classico, but Tignanello, which started a revolution in the land of Chianti Classico, continues to shine as a Super Tuscan.

Super Tuscan in the Montalcino area

The Montalcino region is home to one of Italy's greatest DOCG wines, Brunello di Montalcino. It is located further south than Siena, south of Florence. There are only a few Super Tuscans produced in places where high-quality wines are produced, and the leader among them is Luce.

Luce from Luce della Vite, a winery founded in 1995 by the famous Tuscan family Marchesi di Frescobaldi and Robert Mondavi, who is said to be the father of California wine.

Luce is a latecomer to the Super Tuscan family, but the 1995 vintage suddenly made it into the world's top 100 in the American wine magazine Wine Spectator.

The Montalcino area has soil suitable for growing Sangiovese. Luce's farm is located in the western part of Montalcino, which has clay soil suitable for growing Merlot. Luce is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, and is a structured-bodied wine with concentrated fruit flavors and rich aromas of spices, with a rigorous flavor that reflects Montalcino's terroir.

summary

The Super Tuscan, born from a free idea, showcased Italian production and technology to the world. They are not just fine wines, but wines that express their unique terroir. It continues to be in the world's spotlight and will continue to reign as an international top wine.