Supertoskaner – Supertuscans – was steckt dahinter
We can be grateful to pioneers - people who think differently and also courageous people who are willing to do something different from what the rules allow.
In the early 1970s, two very brave men began to revolutionize viticulture in Tuscany, going against the strict production rules of the Chianti area, and thus incurring apparent disadvantages. Because all wines that were not produced according to the DOC conditions of the time - which did not allow any freedom - were "punished" with the table wine. From a marketing point of view, it was a bitter loss of quality to be called an ordinary table wine - Vino da Tavola.
But Piero Antinori - of the famous house Marchesi Antinori and his oenologist Giacomo Tachis no longer wanted to be told how to make brilliant wines. They wanted to make great wines, unique wines - wines that achieve international fame and honor and convince with their uniqueness.
When was the Tignanello born?
Antinori began to grow the grapes for the world's most famous Super Tuscan on the vineyard Tignanello, about 60ha! In 1971, the first vintage came on the market and revolutionized the wine world! By eliminating white wine content, mandated by the strict Chianti Classico Consortium, the wine could only be called a table wine - Vino da Tavola. A simple table wine, this was not!!! Because first the ingenious gentlemen developed this Sangiovese in barrique barrels, in order to emulate the internationally recognized Bordeaux. Only later - from 1975 was the Tignanello also Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc added.
How was it with the cult wine Sassicaia?
Interestingly, there was another ingenious project in which Piero Antinori and Giacomo Tachis were involved. Namely, the experimental project of another superlative Super Tuscan - the Sassicaia. The owner of this winery was Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta, a cousin of Piero Antinori. They delivered the super experiment by growing Bordeaux typical grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in Bolgheri. They started this already in the 1940s. In contrast to Tignanello, which is mainly Sangiovese, Sassicaia is produced exclusively with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and is also aged in barriques.
The word Supertuscans comes from the USA - where the cult wine was celebrated!
Funnily enough, the Sassicaia was originally intended only for private consumption, but then Antinori marketed the wine internationally from the 1968 vintage and, surprisingly, it quickly became a cult wine and was called Supertuscans in the United States - hence the word Supertoscan in German.
The supertuscan only makes it as far as table wine for the time being
No one cared about the missing DOC or DOCG designation and the table wine was celebrated.
To this day, Sassicaia and Tignanello are among the most famous wines in the world!
Marchesi Antinori has created even more supertuscans - such as the Solaia and the Guado al Tasso. Leading the way, however, was Tignanello, which is still made from Sangiovese and goes under the IGT quality designation. Indicazione Geografica Tipica - but who cares about that....
Imitators for other Supertuscans, such as Masseto & CO.
Antinori also led the way for other tenutas that also entered the successful formula of the Supertoscans, such as Ornellaia and Masseto, Cepparello, Flaccianello.
Use of international grape varieties as well as Bordeaux Blend
Unique were and are the use of international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and the aging in barrique barrels. This method has also been adopted by the winemakers of Barolo and Barbaresco, in order to make these wines drinkable more quickly and to counteract the hard tannins of the Nebbiolo.
The wine world needs pioneers - also in the future
How rich the world is in such pioneers, who are courageous, dare to experiment and fight against rules and then succeed - on an international level - until today. Chapeau - one can only say and bow - to Piero Antinori and Giacomo Tachis!
Critical voices say that Chianti is in danger?
Of course, there are also critical voices - who say that the originality, the terroir is not given. The marketing of the "real" Chianti wines would be more difficult. Is it the envious or the critics who say it wants to imitate an international wine - a Bordeaux imitation or a wannabe of the New World!
Our personal comment is this: Success is the result of people who simply follow their passion! Antinori wanted to be free and act freely by producing wines free from all rules - with a huge success!
Of course there are imitators, of course the prices of these wines with cult status are exorbitantly higher than of Otto Normalo wines from Tuscany - but wine is not just wine!
Purchase of Supertuscans in original wooden boxes - currently in our store!
We are fans of Supertuscans and love these Supertoscans! Currently, we are very fond of a wonderful purchase - partly in original wooden boxes. Matured vintages - in this condition likeTignanello, Masseto, Ornellaia, Solaia and Co - this is truly a joy!
Appropriate for the Christmas season, you will find these wines in our store - as always, it is an honor for us to have such wines with us, even if they are just passing through.