For our friend’s 40th birthday a group of us traveled to Tuscany to celebrate. We traveled around the region eating the most amazing foods paired with even better wines. It was my dream vacation! I was first introduced to the term “Super Tuscan” on one of our winery visits. The lunch we had that day paired with the most amazing Super Tuscan wine was unforgettable. Great food, great friends, and great wine – what more could you want out of life!
The Sangiovese grape is the foundation of most of Super Tuscan wines. While browsing the Italian section of your local wine store, you will see Tuscan wines like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino that are made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. You will also find wines that blend a variety of wine grapes that are not indigenous to Italy such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. These are the Super Tuscan wines.
How to identify a Super Tuscan
When trying to find a Super Tuscan wine at the wine store, the label is key. Most of the labels for Super Tuscan wines follow a similar style. The label will have the “wine name” as it is common for wineries to name their Super Tuscan wines. The region of Toscana will also be listed as well as a classification of IGT or Bolgheri DOC. You will find many good examples of Super Tuscan wines in the Maremma region, which is in the southwest of Tuscany along the coast. The Bolgheri region in Maremma produces some amazing Super Tuscan wines based on the grape varieties Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
Pairings
Super Tuscan wines can vary greatly in taste, so it is fun to experiment when pairing. All of the wines from Tuscany will pair well with a nice meat and cheese plate – especially with regional cheeses such as Pecorino. Tuscany is known for amazing food, so this is one wine I like to pair with regional cuisines such as rich sausage and white bean dishes, braised beef or veal dishes, or anything loaded with garlic and rosemary! Host a Tuscan-themed dinner party and try a few different wines. You won’t be disappointed!
My Favorite Pairings
This comforting stew is perfect for a cold
night by the fire paired with an amazing
Super Tuscan wine!
This simple, yet elegant dish requires
an equally elegant wine.
