Tuscan wine: an expert guide and the best bottles to buy

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A guide to Tuscan wine

Tuscany is perhaps the most beautiful region in Italy. Occupied by the Etruscans (from whom it gets its name – Toscana in Italian) who brought wine here in pre-Roman times, Tuscany was at the centre of the Renaissance. Its dreamy appearance seems to have changed little since, with rolling hills, medieval villages, olive groves, majestic stands of cypress trees and swathes of vineyards everywhere you turn.

From the 1970s onwards, several owners of aristocratic estates around Bolgheri in the Maremma region began to plant cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah, in an attempt to produce wines in the style of Bordeaux – these became known as the ‘super Tuscans’ and include Ornellaia and Sassicaia, today revered among the finest wines in the world, with prices to match. They can be spectacular but there are plenty of excellent, more affordable wines from Tuscany.

Chianti is the most important wine here, a region stretching roughly between Florence and Siena, with eight sub-zones – the most prestigious and historic of which is chianti classico, right at its heart. Chianti classicos, as with most from the demarcated sub-zones, are generally really reliable wines, with quality assured by rigorous testing.

Sangiovese is the king of the Tuscan red grapes. It’s something of a chameleon and adapts to its specific terroir. Some wines are earthy and rustic, with grippy tannins and savoury notes of herbs and tobacco. Others are more fruit-forward, with lots of cherry and raspberry fruit, often with hints of tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.

While Tuscany is primarily a red wine region, it does produce some whites, too. Look for vermentino, vernaccia and malvasia. Vin santo is Tuscany’s glorious sweet wine, made from grapes that are partially dried in the sun after picking. My favourite way to serve it is with almond biscotti alongside for dunking.

Four of the best Tuscan wines to buy in 2024

Aldi Specially Selected Toscana Rosso

Available from Aldi (£7.99)

Aldi has rather cheekily aped the famous (and famously expensive) Tignanello super Tuscan label for this wine. No surprise that the quality isn’t as stellar as what’s affectionately known as ‘Tig’ but this muscular sangiovese/merlot/cabernet sauvignon blend is terrific value. Lots of dark, brambly fruit, with luscious notes of chocolate and wood smoke. A great go-to for pizza.

Piccini Histrio Organic Anfora Toscana Bianco 2022

Available from Majestic (£12.99)

From Piccini, one of the largest Tuscan wine brands (and now run by the fifth generation of the founder’s family), this blend of vermentino and malvasia grapes, aged in clay amphorae, is really charming. Aromatic with floral and tropical fruit notes, a little bit of spice and a zingy citrus freshness, it would be an ace match with our scallop risotto recipe.

Chianti Rùfina, Frascole 2021

Available from The Wine Society (£13.50)

Rùfina is a sub-region of Chianti, with relatively high slopes (up to 500m) and a correspondingly cool climate, which creates lifted brightness in the wines. This is made from organic sangiovese and is very light on its feet, with crunchy red berries and a pleasing delicacy. Serve it slightly chilled to make the most of its refreshing juiciness.

Teruzzi & Puthod Acinaia Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Available from Waitrose (£10.49)

Vernaccias from the pretty hill town of San Gimignano offer really reliable, well-priced wines that tick many boxes. Some are given oak ageing to make them rich and opulent but this one is fresh and very easy to like. Crunchy green apple fruit, some mountain herbs and a whisper of toasted almonds; a lovely wine by itself or with lemony pasta dishes.