SuperTuscan is a term used today for red Tuscan wines made from a blend of local (Sangiovese) and international grape varieties (Merlot, the Cabernets, Petit Verdot, Syrah). See Sassicaia, Tignanello, Luce, Ornellaia. ‘There have been fewer bigger successes in Italian wine than the explosion of wines made with Cabernet franc and Merlot from Bolgheri and other parts of Tuscany’s coastline,’ (Ian D’Agata, Vinous, Sept 2014).

The first Super Tuscan wines were made in Chianti in the 1970s and were 100% Sangiovese which at that time was not permitted in Chianti as it was supposed to be a blend (rather than a mono-varietal) with  international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon (also previously not allowed in the Chianti blend). Bending the rules meant the wines had to be labelled as humble Vino da Tavola. Their quality was such that wine critics in the UK called them Super Tuscans to highlight their obvious quality.

In my report for the 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards blind tasting competition (for which I was Tuscany Chair) I wrote ‘Hand in hand with the organic, Biodynamic natural wine trend is the return to wines made with native grape varieties. But don’t write off the SuperTuscan wines made from French varieties like Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah just yet. 30% of Tuscany’s entire Platinum and Gold medal winning wines were made in part or entirely from French grapes.’

Bibliography

Ian D’Agata, Tuscany Part 1: Chianti, Vino Nobile and Supertuscans (Sep 2014) | Vinous