Red wine from Tuscany
October 12, 2024Ancient Roots:
Wine has been a part of historical past in Tuscany for extra time, even than the Romans and their cooking wine-loving legacies. Like the virtual El Dorado, there is evidence that the Etruscans were among the first to grow grapevines and make wine not only for themselves but also for sale, and that some of their red wines may have reached as far afield as Greece. A tradition of wine that still thrives today and owes its origins to the awareness of this region as a site of potential for quality viticulture.
The Middle Ages and Renaissance Flourish
After the fall of Roman Empire, vineyard suffered some difficult years but in the Middle Ages wine production definitely started growing. Monasteries were key to this revival; the monks had been painstaking growers and polished wine makers. Sangiovese became the basis of Tuscan red wine and the first area in which chianti taste notes took shape during this time.
Modern Innovations
The 20th century provided Tuscan winemakers with a double-edged sword: in essence, it was the best of times and worst of times. Following its destruction during two World Wars the area had its ups and downs economically, but in the 1970s a quality impetus made itself felt. Enterprising vintners quickly started crafting these Saniovese-based blends while applying other artisanal techniques which eventually led to the birth of Super Tuscans – wines often made with Sangiovese along with international varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.