Toscana

Toscana (Tuscany) is located at the top of the Italian peninsula on the west coast. To many people worldwide, Toscana is the quintessential Italy, and tourists flock here in droves for the majestic city of Florence (Firenze), the hill towns, the rustic yet regal villas in the countryside, and great food. In the wine world, Toscana is best known for red wines made from Sangiovese, especially Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti. It has 11 DOCGs and the second most DOCs (41; see maps: historic center and perimeter) of any Italian region (after Piemonte), with 6 IGPs. In 2017, damaging weather took a significant toll, with Toscana’s output of 1.9 million hl (21.1 million cases) being 30% less than 2016. The region’s dominant grape variety is Sangiovese (66%), and it has the highest proportion of red wine of any region—85%. Almost two thirds of Toscana’s wine is at the DOP level, with nearly another quarter appearing as IGP Toscana.