Is there any wine region more recognisable than Tuscany? If the Cypress rows and rolling vines separated by the occasional shabby-chic Borgo weren’t enough, a flip through any Tuscan history book will confirm that its strong identity is centuries in the making.
Deep roots
After two days in the region this week, we returned to Geneva with renewed appreciation for Tuscany’s relaxed yet confident sense of self. We often refer to Bordeaux as the historic wine region of reference, forgetting that winemaking heritage around Chianti dates back 8 centuries (“we didn’t cut the heads off our aristocracy”, reminds Francesco Visani – ambassador of the Antinori wines, over lunch). For such families still in ownership of iconic estates, winemaking is in their genes, and succession of running the family business is their birthright.
High hopes
Don’t get us wrong, this approach by no means translates as complacency. New generation winemakers continue to innovate and reinvest in projects to secure the commercial future of Tuscany: Giovanni Mazzei has recently created a hyper exclusive, single-vineyard Sangiovese built for decades of ageing, while the Antinori’s newest wine is a Chardonnay concentrated and complex enough to rival some serious premier cru Burgundies. There is nothing contrived in these creations, but rather an affirmation that their winemakers are comfortable at the helm of their respective vinous empires, and know exactly how to steer then onwards.
Down-to-earth
This quiet confidence resonates when visiting the region’s top estates. Combine it with the traditional Italian welcome, and you have the recipe for an effortlessly charming tasting experience – one that allows you to connect instantly with the wines, their makers, and the artistry of expressing their place of origin. Fine wine is often lumbered with a reputation of snobbish behaviour, but Tuscany is the perfect antidote; a region where anyone from wine novice to Master of Wine can find belonging.