Tuscany is certainly one of the Italian regions with a high vocation for wine production and its conformation, which alternates between valleys and hills, seems made precisely for grape cultivation. It is therefore easy to think that Leonardo da Vinci developed, here in his native region, his passion for viticulture and oenology.
In Tuscany, there are 50 different types of wine with the DOC designation and 18 DOCG, proof of the quality and variety of wines, without forgetting the IGT denominations which in Tuscany are 6. A precedent that confirms its wine history and the quality of its wines. In the region, mainly red grapes are grown, which give rise to the famous red wines of Tuscany, some of which are among the most famous Italian wines in the world. In general, red wine from Tuscany is recognised and appreciated everywhere for a series of reasons concerning both the agronomic and historical aspects – in many ways, the credit is also due to pioneering producers who were the first in Italy to seek to invest in quality production, making the most of the territory’s peculiarities.
It is difficult to say which Tuscan red wine is the best, but certainly – with so much variety – you will find the one that best suits your tastes. Lastly, the price of red wines from Tuscany varies depending on the types, allowing choices for any occasion.
Chianti is the most celebrated and beloved red Docg wine of Tuscany. Born from the recipe of Count Bettino Ricasoli, it still represents the Tuscan territory in Italy and worldwide. The Chianti from the Leonardo da Vinci collection is produced in the hilly areas of Vinci, Cerreto Guidi, and in the surrounding municipalities. The colour is the characteristic deep purple-red, on the nose you perceive fruity notes of cherry, spices, particularly black pepper. Its flavour is pleasant, intense, long, with a good taste and olfactory structure, decidedly fine.
Chianti is a structured and harmonious wine that lends itself to pairing with flavourful first courses and grilled or roasted meat dishes.
The longer ageing compared to the base version gives Chianti Riserva complexity and structure. On the nose, fruity aromas combine with vanilla notes. On the palate, it is full, enveloping, and rich in typical flavours such as cherry and blackberry. Chianti Riserva Docg is a red Tuscan wine for great occasions, usually produced from selected grape varieties, and pairs perfectly with game dishes and aged cheeses. In the Da Vinci I Capolavori collection of Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, Chianti Riserva features on the label the famous painting 'The Virgin of the Rocks', where the landscape refers to the hills of Vinci from which the grapes are obtained to produce it.
Brunello di Montalcino is a red Docg wine of Tuscany produced in the historic areas of the Municipality of Montalcino. It ages for two years in oak barrels and 4 months in the bottle before taking on its distinctive deep ruby-red colour tending towards garnet. The flavour is dry, warm, robust, and harmonious; its elegance allows for pairings with very structured and composite dishes such as red meats, game, mushrooms, and truffles, and is also excellent with aged cheeses. Brunello di Montalcino from the Da Vinci I Capolavori collection is paired on the label with St. John the Baptist: the progenitor of Italian reds, the epitome of Tuscany, represented by the saint with his finger raised and sweetest smile, is one of Leonardo’s most enigmatic works.
Still in the territory of Montalcino, another fine wine is produced. Unlike Brunello, which is intended for ageing, Rosso di Montalcino is a younger wine that maintains structure but is also lively and fresh. Rosso di Montalcino has obtained the Doc designation, and is a wine with a clear and bright appearance with good aromatic persistence. It pairs very well with typical and traditional Tuscan cuisine and rustic dishes such as pasta with meat sauce, second courses based on pork or poultry. Rosso di Montalcino from Cantine Leonardo da Vinci is present both in the Leonardo da Vinci collection and in the Da Vinci I Capolavori collection: two different ways of telling the story of the connection between Leonardo da Vinci and wine.
A red Igt wine of Tuscany, present in the Leonardo da Vinci collection, Governo all’Uso Toscano is a wine that also tells the story of an ancient winemaking practice developed in this region. “Governo” is indeed a traditional and ancient process also present in the Chianti regulations, consisting of a re-fermentation that gives the wine a fruity flavour. Its colour is purple-red and the flavour is well balanced, full, and full-bodied with a pleasantly elegant finish. It pairs with game, grilled meats, and savoury dishes of Italian tradition.
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