Tuscany

DOC for red and white wines in the wine-growing region of Tuscany in Italy, located 40 kilometres north-east of Florence. It was grand duke Cosimo III. (1642-1723) who awarded this region legal status and protection for the designation of origin in 1716 (something he also did for Chianti and Carmignano). The appellation was revived by the famous Frescobaldi estate, which has one of its many wine estates here, and owns the largest part of the vienyard area. The zone includes the south-west-facing slopes around Pomino, which is a suburb of Rufina, and includes the highest vineyards in Tuscany. The vienyards are located at an altitude of up to 700 metres above sea level at the Consuma pass in the Apennines. The Bianco is a blend of Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco (60-80%), Trebbiano Toscano (up to 30%), as well as optionally from other white varieties (up to 15%). The Rosso (also made as a Riserva) is a blend made from Sangiovese (60-75%), Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Canaiolo (15-25%), Merlot (10-20%), as well as optionally from other permitted red varieties (up to 15%). Dried grapes of the same varieties are used to make a Vin Santo Bianco and a Vin Santo Rosso, each of which is available in Secco, Amabile and Dolce versions, these have an alcohol content of 15,5% vol, and are matured for three years before being released for sale.