Top 10 Tuscan Wines
11/22/2013 | Food and Wine
Tuscany is not only a land of great artists and culture, but also of good food, well-being and – more especially – of good wine. Although this region produces fabulous wines, greatly appreciated throughout the world, which are the absolute top Tuscan wines?
Here are the Top 10 bottles that will not be lacking in any true connoisseur’s cellar, together with a few hints about combining them to the best effect with meat and cheese dishes.
Castello Banfi Cantine: an intense and spicy red wine made of several varieties of grape, such as Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It goes very well with roast meat, game and cheeses that are not too ripe.
Podere Brancaia Tre Rosso is a wine that matures in 12 months and is particularly suited for dishes whose main ingredient is pumpkin.
The Crognolo from the Sette Ponti Estate is a Sangiovese that recalls the aroma of cherries and oak wood. It is excellent with pork and mushrooms.
The wine from the Tenuta dell’Ornellaia is a mixture of fruity Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, much loved by ladies.
Antinori’s Tignanello was the first Sangiovese to be made with non-traditional varieties, such as Cabernet, and is among the first red wines in Chianti not to use white grapes. This wine is silky on the pallet, and is perfect to accompany risottos, pasta dishes and ossobuco.
The wine of Villa di Capezzana represents the Carmignano area and historically has always been produced by the Bonacossi family firm. This truly fantastic wine combines the fruit with all the elegance of Merlot and Syrah. It is a perfect accompaniment for roast meat.
Rocca delle Macìe is a wine that has character and a fresh quality, a lively ruby red in colour, with notes of cherries and violets.
Luce della Vite has a very dense ruby red colour, and is ideal for tasting with desserts.
The 2004 vintage of Isole e Olena di Cepparello is one of the best wines on the market. It has all the typical acidity of Sangiovese, ready to sustain the pallet without being excessively intrusive. Its finish is bitter and long-lasting.
Fontalloro di Felsina comes from a vineyard in the Chianti valley, and is excellent with any kind of meat-based first course.
Are you familiar with these fantastic Tuscan wines? Let us have your comments!