
Tuscan Blends
Learn about Tuscan Blends — taste profile, popular regions and more …
Big, bold and modern in style, Tuscan Blends are composed solely of international grape varieties or a mix of international and indigenous. In the 1970s, disenchanted with constraints of Italian winemaking laws, a few rebellious Tuscan winemakers decided to get creative. Instead of following the tradition to bottle Sangiovese by itself, they started blending it with various international varieties, namely Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, applying their own creative spin for the blend. Luckily all of these marry well with Sangiovese, and even make great Tuscan wines on their own. As a result, these producers experienced near-immediate success.
Tasting Notes for Tuscan Blends
Tuscan Blends are dry, red wines and have a full body, silky tannins and good complexity. Typical aromas and flavors in Tuscan Blends include blackcurrant, plum, black cherry, licorice, cedar, camphor, wet earth, violets, sweet spice and cocoa.
Perfect Food Pairings for Tuscan Blends
Anything protein-rich will pair with Tuscan Blends. Filet mignon, venison, a grilled portabello with pecorino & rosemary, lasagna and anything off the barbecue are all great choices.
Sommelier Secrets for Tuscan Blends
The most famous and revered Tuscan Blends from Italy are called “Super Tuscans.” One of the most well-known, ‘Tignanello,’ created by Antinori in 1971, is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. Ornellaia, established by Marchesi Lodovico Antinori in 1981, with the help of renowned agronomist Andre Tchelistcheff, remains a stellar example today; since 2002 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi has been the sole owner. Ornellaia is typically a blend of about half Cabernet Sauvignon, a third Merlot and the rest filled in with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Sassicaia, another, has earned itself an extraordinary reputation and global esteem, so much so that the Sassicaia property was actually awarded its very own appellation with the 1994 vintage. It is typically 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.
- Pinot Noir3880
- Other Red Blends2724
- Cabernet Sauvignon2545
- Bordeaux Red Blends2068
- Syrah/Shiraz1644
- Rhône Blends1343
- Sangiovese1066
- Merlot855
- Nebbiolo855
- Tempranillo817
- Zinfandel650
- Other Red Wine602
- Malbec519
- Cabernet Franc314
- Grenache298
- Barbera272
- Petite Sirah208
- Tuscan Blends164
- Gamay162
- Mourvedre111
- Carmenere102
- Dolcetto89
- Primitivo85
- Pinotage80
- Aglianico62
- Montepulciano61
- Nero d'Avola61
- Blaufrankisch35
- Negroamaro33
- Petit Verdot32
- Sagrantino32
- Lagrein28
- Mencia27
- Bonarda22
- Teroldego21
- Refosco19
- Carignan18
- Touriga Nacional17
- Zweigelt14
- St. Laurent13
- Tannat11
- Grignolino7
- Nerello Mascalese7
- Agiorgitiko5
- Bobal5
- Corvina4
- Pinot Meunier4
- Xinomavro4
- Alicante Bouschet3
- Trousseau3
- Gaglioppo2
- Cinsault1
- Lambrusco1
- Valdiguie1
- Mondeuse1
-
Banfi Centine Toscana 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Frescobaldi Tenuta di Castiglioni 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
-
Tenuta di Ghizzano Il Ghizzano 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
-
Ruffino Modus 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
-
Banfi Col di Sasso 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
-
Terrabianca Campaccio 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Argiano Solengo 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
-
Antinori Solaia (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- RP
- WE
- WS
-
Terrabianca Campaccio (375ML half-bottle) 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Capezzana Villa di Carmignano 2010Tuscan Blends from Carmignano, Tuscany, Italy
- JS
- WS
-
Terrabianca Campaccio (1.5L Magnum) 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Il Molino di Grace Il Volano 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
-
Ruffino Fonte al Sole 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Pardi Montefalco Rosso 2010Tuscan Blends from Umbria, Italy
-
Frescobaldi Remole Toscana Rosso 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Mazzei Badiola Toscana 2010Tuscan Blends from Italy
- WS
-
Santa Cristina by Antinori Rosso 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Monte Antico Rosso 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- JS
-
Monte Antico Supremus 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Querciabella Mongrana 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS
-
Rocca di Frassinello Le Sughere di Frassinello 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Castello di Monterinaldi Chianti Classico 2010Tuscan Blends from Chianti Classico, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
-
Rocca delle Macie Ser Gioveto 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- RP
-
Castello di Verrazzano Rosso 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
-
Antinori Villa Toscana 2010Tuscan Blends from Tuscany, Italy
- WS