Supertuscan, revolutionary wines in Tuscan"Supertuscan' is a word that was coined in the 1980s by the well-known wine critic Robert Parker, to indicate the revolutionary wine style that was born at the hands of winemakers who decided to break the mould of traditional winemaking in Tuscany. It all stems from the fact that the strict Chianti production regulations forbade the use of international grapes in the blend of this wine, so in 1968 Vigorello di San Felice was born, the first Bordeaux blend bottle in the Chianti area, which was followed by the more famous Sassicaia and Tignanello.
The revolutionary aspect of the latter lies in the fact that this wine follows the model of the great wines of Bordeaux, with a percentage of international vines but a prevalence of Sangiovese, Tuscany's main indigenous vine. In fact, contrary to what many people think, Supertuscans are not wines made only from international grape varieties, even if the most innovative wines are made with the prevalent use of these grapes, possibly blended with Sangiovese.
In addition to this, Supertuscans are characterised by the almost total use of French barriques for ageing, following the Bordeaux model. Another interesting aspect that this wine movement has brought about is the re-evaluation of the Tuscan Tyrrhenian Coast, whose predisposition to viticulture had not previously received any consideration. Today, under the Bolgheri Doc denomination we find some of the most famous and award-winning wines in the world, wines that enhance the territory of Tuscany in a revolutionary way.
