If you don’t have some Super Tuscan wines in your collection already, you should go and start shopping for a few bottles at the first opportunity to revitalise your wine cellars. I had never tried these wines before, but now that I have. I’ve found a fab new addition to my wine collection!
When it comes to wine, everyone knows the value of ageing. The more aged a particular wine is, the better it usually tastes. The prices of wines also rise over time, especially if you manage to collect some of the best ones.
Anyhow, there is no one rule to curate a wine collection. Some people collect them to savour exceptional tastes, while others collect them for investment purposes. You can also collect wines for either or both of these two reasons.
No matter the purpose though, you must have some Sassicaia wine or other Super Tuscan labels in your collection. Below we discuss the reasons why.
Super Tuscan Means Super High Quality
The idea of Super Tuscan wine isn’t as aged as you would imagine it to be. It came to prominence back in the 1970s as an unorthodox method of wine production. Back then, some wine producers from the Chianti region felt that the regulations of the local Italian wine appellations, known as DOCs and DOCGs, were not up to the mark. They felt as if the rules were more of a hindrance than an advantage for them.
So, there they went. Led by the pioneering Tenuta San Guido estate, they embarked on using a viticultural production technique, giving birth to the Super Tuscan category in the process. Bypassing the strict laws of the Italian appellations, the unorthodox wines failed to get the approving stamp. Yet, it didn’t matter much as the quality and unorthodox taste prevailed, thanks to huge global interest during the 1980s.
Today, Super Tuscan wines are revered for both their rule-breaking nature and the finest quality and taste. These are the signature wines produced lovingly by the vineyard masters, creating a huge value for the collectors Labels such as Sassicaia wine also made a name for themselves, not only as a pioneer but also as the pinnacle of Super Tuscan quality.
Blending Methods and Tastes of Super Tuscans
Since 1992, the official term for the Super Tuscan wines has been the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). The blending technique of IGT Toscana normally involves the use of non-indigenous and previously unaccepted grape varieties. Some manufacturers source the grapes entirely from Italy, with others using international varieties as well.
The international grape varieties used in Super Tuscan wines tend to be Bordeaux grapes – Cabernet Franc, Merlot Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. The most commonly used Italian varieties are Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, and Sangiovese.
As you would expect, Super Tuscan wines are classified based on the ageing process as well as how long they were aged. Different labels are also renowned for different tastes. For example, Sassicaia wine is known for its medium to full body tastes with notes of berries, chocolates, and spices. So, taste your Super Tuscan before investing.
If you’ve only ever tried wines from Chile, New Zealand, France or Italy, I highly recommend branching out a little and giving these a go!
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