Tuscany's Climate: Warm Mediterranea

Warm Mediterranea

Tuscany's Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon is perhaps the most famous red grape. Its home is Bordeaux where it is was created as a cross between Cabernet Franc (red grape) and Sauvignon Blanc (white grape). Since then its popularity has spread and it is grown all around the world. It prefers warmer climates to ripen fully and even in Bordeaux some years it does not ripen. That is why Cabernet Franc is also used in Bordeaux blends as it ripens faster. What makes Cabernet so popular is not its bouquet, which can range from blackcurrants to cigar box, but its structure, typically having both tannins and acidity to create a smooth feeling in the mouth. The structure allows the blending with other grapes, perhaps the most famous pairing is Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot where the Cabernet provides the structure and the Merlot gives the wine the soft, rounded feel in the mouth. Recently Cabernet has been mixed with Sangiovese (Chianti's grape) to create the SuperTuscans.

Sangiovese

The variety of Italian wines is huge with over 1000 different grape varieties. Many are native to Italy and not grown anywhere else in the world. Not all are top quality, but black grapes such as Nebbiolo (Barolo and Barbaresco) and Sangiovese, the principal grape variety in Chianti, can produce world-class wines. Chianti Classico DOCG must be made entirely from Sangiovese. Chianti DOCG wines must contain between 75 and 90%. Additional grapes used include Trebbiano and Malvasia.