Ah, Tuscany!!!
Quintessential Italy. The olive oil. The rolling hills. Chianti. The statue of David. Endless beauty.
It comes as a surprise to many to learn that just after WWII, Tuscany was in such a bad spot economically that many families abandoned their farms. Well into the 1960s there were abandoned farms throughout this region, which only started to rebuild in the 1970s. Now, of course, it’s a powerhouse of tourism and wine.
There is much to Tuscany, so let’s get into it.
Map resources
Cellar Tours: Tuscany Wine Region map
Vinmaps: Tuscany (project they did for Ruffino)
Society of Wine Educators: Tuscany Map
Wine Folly: Tuscany Map (within a great page on Tuscany in general)
About the wines of Tuscany
Winesearcher: Tuscany
Winesearcher: Sangiovese, Vernaccia
SevenFifty: Tuscany
WineTourism: Tuscany
Wine Enthusiast: What is a Super Tuscan, and is the term still relevant?
VinePair: The Definitive Guide to the regions of Chianti
Discover Tuscany: Vernaccia, the White Wine of Tuscany
Brunello di Montalcino
I didn’t address Brunello di Montalcino in the video, but we can’t overlook this important wine. These are some of the most serious and age-worthy wines made in all of Europe. Made with the Brunello clone of Sangiovese, these are expressive, deep, tough when young, age worthy wines that are great for collecting.
Wine Insiders: Brunello di Montalcino
Wikipedia: Brunello di Montalcino
Wine Folly: Brunello di Montalcino Wine, It’s Worth the Wait