SUPER TUSCANS

Super Tuscan wines came about in the 1960s and 1970s as a result of some innovative winemakers in Tuscany in Italy.

Winemakers decided to plant some popular grapes from Bordeaux such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. which were great at producing top quality red wines in Tuscany.

In 1971, Sassicaia released the first Super Tuscan wine with its 1968 vintage.

The owners of Tenuta San Guido and Ornellaia were the first few to decide to not follow the Italian wine regulations of using Sangiovese grapes and the legally allowed blending recipe.

So they decided to plant some Bordeaux grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which they believed was very suitable in Tuscany.

It turns out, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot was very growing very well, and the wine made from this two grapes, were tasting great.

But the challenge was, they could not be classified legally as quality wine under the then existing legal wine rules in Tuscany.

So the owners of these wineries agreed that, having their wines declassified to table wines was worth the risk.

Soon wine critics and wine lovers were fell in love by the high quality of these wines. They became loyal followers and buyer of Super Tuscan wines.

Therefore Super Tuscans are made from Bordeaux grape varieties, and sometimes may include some Sangiovese in the blend too.

They are usually either Bordeaux left bank (Cabernet Sauvignon mainly) or right bank (Merlot mainly) in style.

The Iconic Super Tuscan wines till date are:

• Sassicaia - Left bank Bordeaux style (Cabernet Sauvignon mainly)
• Ornellaia - Left bank Bordeaux style  (Cabernet Sauvignon mainly)
• Masseto - 100% Merlot. You can say its like a competitor to Petrus.

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