All right everybody, it’s wine trivia time!
Do you know what a Super Tuscan is? 🍇
Do you know what a Super Tuscan is? 🍇
2/ Have you ever said: “F this. I can do things better myself.”
That attitude got us Impressionist painters in the 19th century
And Tesla in the 21st century.
It’s also how we got one of the world’s most famous wine categories.
Buckle up for storytime.
That attitude got us Impressionist painters in the 19th century
And Tesla in the 21st century.
It’s also how we got one of the world’s most famous wine categories.
Buckle up for storytime.
3/ The scene is central Italy, 1971.
Like France, Italy has a classification system for wine quality.
Officials scrutinize the type of grape used, the exact growing process, & even how long the wine ages.
Anything not meeting their standards was considered low class wine.
Like France, Italy has a classification system for wine quality.
Officials scrutinize the type of grape used, the exact growing process, & even how long the wine ages.
Anything not meeting their standards was considered low class wine.
4/ A winery owner in Tuscany, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, says,
“Classification, schmassication.”
(In Italian, of course).
Instead of following strict rules, he just wants to make great wine.
“Classification, schmassication.”
(In Italian, of course).
Instead of following strict rules, he just wants to make great wine.
5/ A winery owner in Tuscany, Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, says,
“Classification, schmassication.”
(In Italian, of course).
Instead of following strict rules, he just wants to make great wine.
“Classification, schmassication.”
(In Italian, of course).
Instead of following strict rules, he just wants to make great wine.
6/ Rocchetta had been making great wine for decades, but could only share it with family members since it didn't meet Italian classifications.
The reason? He was using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (a French varietal), instead of native Italian Sangiovese and Nebbiolo grapes.
The reason? He was using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (a French varietal), instead of native Italian Sangiovese and Nebbiolo grapes.
7/ Rocchetta decides to take a big gamble, releases his first batch commercially in 1971 and...
nobody in Italy wanted to buy it since it did not meet any official classifications.
nobody in Italy wanted to buy it since it did not meet any official classifications.
8/ However, the critical acclaim outside of Italy was tremendous and it became a global hit.
Its name: Sassicaia.
(Fun fact, this is Jimmy Butler‘s favorite wine)
Its name: Sassicaia.
(Fun fact, this is Jimmy Butler‘s favorite wine)
9/ Fellow Tuscan winemaker Piero Antinori followed suit, Releasing the now-famous Tignanello later that year.
Since these Italian wines made from French grape varietals did not meet any sort of official classification, people started calling them "Super Tuscans".
Since these Italian wines made from French grape varietals did not meet any sort of official classification, people started calling them "Super Tuscans".
10/ By 1992, Italy’s wine authorities had enough.
They stop punishing Super Tuscan makers and instead, they gave the wine its own classification.
Today, Super Tuscans are considered on par with the best Barolos and Brunellos in Italy.
They stop punishing Super Tuscan makers and instead, they gave the wine its own classification.
Today, Super Tuscans are considered on par with the best Barolos and Brunellos in Italy.
11/ Moral of the story:
1) Good wine is good wine, no matter where the ancestry of the grapes are from.
2) Be willing to break some rules.
3) If you haven't already, try a Super Tuscan.
1) Good wine is good wine, no matter where the ancestry of the grapes are from.
2) Be willing to break some rules.
3) If you haven't already, try a Super Tuscan.
12/ Enjoyed reading this?
Please show some love with a RT/follow.
Every week I’ll be uncovering fascinating stories in the world of wine 🍷
Please show some love with a RT/follow.
Every week I’ll be uncovering fascinating stories in the world of wine 🍷
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