Super Tuscan

No doubt about it, many of the wines that come from the Tuscan region of Italy are super, indeed.

But the popular term Super Tuscan was coined for wines made in Tuscany that did not adhere to the strict, traditional blending laws of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) or Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) classification system.

Super Tuscans are proprietary blends of sangiovese and other grapes, typically cabernet sauvignon and merlot, many of which have become world-class wines. Some are even blends with a majority of cabernet. Italian winemakers began experimenting with these blends in the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Two of the more prestigious (and expensive) Super Tuscans are Sassicaia, produced by Tenuta San Guido, and Tignanello, produced by Antinori.

(Perfect Pairings, Evan Goldstein and Wikipedia)