Heinen’s Road Less Traveled: Discover the Wines of Tuscany
Among the rolling hillsides in the heart Italy lies Tuscany, one of the most historic and highly regarded wine growing regions in all the Mediterranean.
Home to Florence, Pisa, and Siena, the art flows as freely as the wine. The iconic cypress tree-lined roads lead to densely planted Tuscan vineyards where world-renowned red and white wines are produced to pair beautifully with global cuisines and evoke a sense of history and place with every sip.
Prepare to embark on a rustic Italian getaway with true Tuscan wines, now available in the Road Less Traveled section of our Wine Department.
Chianti
In the world of wine, few varietals are more iconic than Chianti. This famous region in Tuscany was defined in the late 19th century by Barone Ricasoli and has since been refined many times.
Chianti refers to the region in which the wine is grown and is most commonly identified by the Sangiovese grape: arguably the most iconic in all of Italy. The region itself is split into several sub-zones, which helps winemakers determine the best place to grow the highest quality grapes.
As for the wine itself, age is a common way in which it is classified.
- Young Chianti is labeled “Chianti,” and is likely not aged in oak or bottle prior to release.
- “Chianti Classico” wines are produced with stricter growing, site, and aging requirements.
- Wines with the “Riserva” moniker on the label indicate that the producer adhered to the most strict and rigorous vinification rules.
These classifications are governed by a consortium in Tuscany, which approves the use of the term “Chianti” on any label. This approval can be signified by a strip across the top of the bottle labeled DOC or DOCG, as well as the famous GALLO NERO, or Black Rooster. Anytime you see these markings, you can be assured that the consortium has approved the quality of the wine in the bottle.
Chianti Classico has wonderful aromas of red fruits, plums, and balanced tannins, making it a great wine with a variety of foods such as plain grilled meats and sausages, charcuterie, and of course, pasta!
Brunello Di Montalcino
Often referred to as the “king” of Italian wines, the name Brunello Di Montalcino also refers to a region where grapes are grown.
Brunello Di Montalcino wines must be made with 100% Sangiovese grapes and adhere to strict low-yield vine standards and extended aging requirements.
Wines from Brunello must be aged a minimum of 2 years in oak, usually Slovenian casks, and are generally released with additional years of age in bottle.
The wines are full-bodied, loaded with dark, concentrated fruit character, and extremely age-worthy, benefiting from decades in the cellar. Delicious with grilled porterhouse steak, these are collectible and almost always highly rated by critics.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Recognized as the famous white wine of Tuscany, grown on the hillsides of San Gimignano, this deliciously crisp, dry wine is known as an “everyday” drinker.
Not known for being aged in oak, the freshness of this wine is preserved from simple winemaking and a hands-off approach.
Newer winemaking techniques have helped concentrate some of the flavors of this wine, making for a more serious experience.
We recommend pairing this white with light fish and simple chicken dishes for a wonderful weeknight experience.
Super Tuscan
Super Tuscan is a term coined in the late 1970s. It refers to wines produced in Tuscany that stray from traditional Tuscan winemaking rules.
To refer to a wine by its place, such as Chianti or Brunello, a winemaker must adhere to the strict regulations of that region. While this is great for protecting the time-honored styles and wines of Tuscany, it did not allow for international varietals, like Cabernet Sauvignon, to be grown in Tuscany.
The term “Super Tuscan” is one that is applied to wines that fall outside of the traditional methods and grapes. This does not indicate a loss of quality; in fact, some of the most expensive wines produced in all of Italy are Super Tuscans. Usually, they blend Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot with the indigenous Sangiovese grape, but since the category is undefined, the styles of wines vary greatly.
This is an experimental category, so those with an adventurous streak will always find something interesting.
The wines of Tuscany have an incredible history and are some of the most food-friendly wines from Europe. They range from cellar-worthy, collectible wines to everyday drinkers. Explore the combination of tradition and new-age winemaking from the rolling hills of Tuscany in the Road Less Traveled section of Heinen’s Wine Department.
