Q&A: Wine & Food Questions
SuperTuscan wines
Thank you for your recent answer to my questions about SuperTuscan wine. May I assume from your answer that a Tuscan wine that is a blend of Sangiovese & Italian varietals would not be considered a SuperTuscan?
Answer From Expert Roger C. Bohmrich, MW
Actually, the term Super Tuscan is a fanciful rather than a controlled designation, except insofar as some Super Tuscans, especially those made in Bolgheri, now bear that appellation. Most others carry the Toscana IGT designation. The maker of any Tuscan wine could in theory call his/her wine a "Super Tuscan" if they wish. These wines tend to be upscale bottlings, either single varietals or blends. In practice, the Italian grape in such wines is normally Sangiovese while the international varieties tend to be French in origin. There is considerable flexibility for IGT wines, however.
About The Expert
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade as an importer and retailer, and at present he is an educator, speaker and consultant. He set up and managed Millesima USA, a New York merchant affiliated with Europe's leader in direct sales of fine wines to consumers. Previously, he served as senior executive of Frederick Wildman & Sons, traveling regularly around the world to visit wineries and taste the new vintage from barrel. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993.
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