77. Super Tuscans 101: Tuscany’s Bordeaux Blends and the Sassicaia Story

Description:
In Episode 77 of the Wine Educate Podcast, Joanne Close explores the fascinating rise of Super Tuscans—wines that broke Italy’s traditional rules and became some of the most sought-after bottles in the world.

In Tuesday’s episode, we covered Chianti and Chianti Classico. Today, we’re heading about 75 miles southwest to Bolgheri, the coastal home of Super Tuscans. Though close in distance, Chianti and Bolgheri couldn’t be more different in climate, grape varieties, and wine styles.

We’ll dive into:

• What makes a wine a “Super Tuscan” (hint: it’s all about those Bordeaux grapes and French barriques)

• Why the end of Tuscany’s sharecropping system in the 1950s–60s led to a decline in wine quality

• How new investors and open-minded winemakers planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah

• The origin story of Sassicaia, the trailblazing wine that inspired a movement

• The creation of Bolgheri DOC in 1983, its evolution in 1994, and the unique 2013 Sassicaia DOC—Italy’s only single-estate DOC

• How Bolgheri grew from 250 hectares in the late 1990s to nearly 1,200 hectares today with 60 producers

• Why Super Tuscans remain some of the most iconic and expensive wines in Italy

Episode Highlights:

• The contrast between Chianti Classico’s high-altitude Sangiovese and Bolgheri’s plush Bordeaux blends

• The story of Sassicaia and why it’s so special

• The evolution from “vino da tavola” to prestigious DOC status

• Current pricing and collector appeal of Super Tuscans

Perfect for:

• WSET students looking to sharpen Level 3 knowledge

• Italian wine enthusiasts curious about more than Chianti

• Collectors and wine lovers who want to understand the Super Tuscan legacy

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