One of Tuscany's great reds, Morellino di Scansano is a wine with a rural tradition rooted in the heart of the Maremma area. It has enjoyed great success in recent years thanks to its rustic pleasantness and to virtuous producers who have understood its potential, opening the doors to the elite of the wine world. It is produced from Sangiovese grapes, occasionally supplemented by other varieties typical of the area, and gives birth to a full-bodied, soft and slightly tannic red wine that is an ideal companion for meat dishes and tasty condiments, able to benefit from ageing in wood and to achieve considerable density.
One of Tuscany's great reds, Morellino di Scansano is a wine with a rural tradition rooted in the heart of the Maremma area. It has enjoyed great success in recent years thanks to its rustic pleasantness and to virtuous producers who have understood its potential, opening the doors to the elite of the wine world. It is produced from Sangiovese grapes, occasionally supplemented by other varieties typical of the area, and gives birth to a full-bodied, soft and slightly tannic red wine that is an ideal companion for meat dishes and tasty condiments, able to benefit from ageing in wood and to achieve considerable density.
Morellino Scansano originates in one of the most pristine and fascinating areas of Tuscany: the Maremma, a strip of land in the extreme south of the region, bordered by the Ombrone and Albegna rivers. Production is limited to some territories in the province of Grosseto and Magliano that overlook the sea and to parts of the municipalities of Roccalbegna, Semproniano, Campagnatico and Manciano inland, in the shadow of Mount Amiata.
It is a breathtaking landscape set in the hills between the sea and the mountains, where the Tyrrhenian Sea meets the Apennines, warmed almost all year round by the Mediterranean sun and tempered by sea breezes. In short, an ideal climate for the ripening of the grapes, enhanced by the marked temperature range between night and day. The soils are not very deep and are covered by a rocky substrate that makes plant growth slightly more complicated, but provides all the conditions for producing the best Morellino di Scansano wines. The soils are of a silty and sandy variety along the coastline and become silty-clayey with an alkaline component in the innermost part.
In the past, there were wild marshes in these areas, rich in vegetation and fauna, with a damp climate that was inhospitable to vine-growing. As a result of land restoration and reclamation, the territory has been transformed into a fertile hilly area suitable for grape growing. Sangiovese clones, known locally as Morellino, other typical black grape varieties, such as Alicante, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera and Canaiolo, and international grapes such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, have graced these lands and have contributed to creating the perfect formula for the production of Morellino di Scansano wine. It is often made from Sangiovese grapes, either exclusively or at least 85%, supplemented by the above-mentioned varieties. With these unique territorial characteristics, this red wine has thus earned a place at the table of the great Tuscan wines.
The regulations for Morellino di Scansano DOCG, obtained on 14 November 2006, stipulate the use of at least 85% of Sangiovese grapes, which may be integrated with non-aromatic red varieties present on the Tuscan soil. The permitted yield is around 90 quintals per hectare and the minimum alcohol content must not be less than 12.5%. The mention "Riserva" can be added when it matures for at least two years, of which at least one must be in wooden barrels. In these cases, the minimum alcohol content is 13%.
It has a ruby red colour for the younger versions and a garnet red colour for the more intense and complex ones. The aromas are based on red fruit, either crunchy or ripe depending on the ageing process.
Plum, black cherry, morello cherry, and wild berries are the most typical and recognisable sensations. This is followed by notes of balsamic herbs, moss, underbrush and a hint of sweet spices, together with toasted touches of coffee, ethereal scents and echoes of tobacco and dried flowers in the more mature versions. The taste is dry and rustic, smooth and fresh at the same time, marked by a lively and intense tannic texture, but always well balanced. The sapidity of the sea and the mineral nuances released by the rocky soil enrich a solid, full and rather structured body.
The recommended food pairings for Morellino di Scansano wine are based on the Tuscan culinary tradition. In fact, this red wine goes perfectly with tasty and rich meat dishes, such as ribollita, tortelli maremmani, barbecued ribs, porchetta and mushrooms and Florentine steak, as well as classic roasts, braised meats and stews. You can also enjoy more structured dishes based on game and venison, such as wild boar stew, pappardelle with hare and pheasant ragout or roasted guinea fowl.
In recent years it has carved out a place for itself on the Tuscan wine scene, thanks to its quality and the expertise of great producers who have made the most of its characteristics. Morellino di Scansano Le Pupille, Roccapesta and the Trevvalle and Poggio Argentiera ranges are among the most popular examples of this type.
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