There’s no better feeling than sipping a glass of premium wine while admiring the sunset over the Italian landscape. Why Italy? It’s simple: the country has an impressive wine industry, exporting over 37% of the world’s wine. It certainly has no shortage of wine-producing areas, from the vineyards of Veneto to the corners of Piedmont. And if you want to experience the peninsula’s oldest wine-growing regions, a wine tour in Tuscany is just what you need.
How to make the most of your wine tour in Tuscany
Plan your trip
Tuscany is a gorgeous region found in the center of the Italian peninsula. It is bordered by the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas on the western coast, while the regions of Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria are located to its northwest, north, and east, respectively.
Because of its geography, Tuscany experiences fairly mild weather near the coastal areas, with considerable temperature fluctuations between the winter and summer. So, to enjoy your trip to the fullest, consider visiting the region from April to June or September to October. To avoid the sweltering heat, make sure you don’t travel from July to August.
And don’t worry—you can score excellent deals for your accommodations, even during peak season. Just book your tour with a certified travel operator, and you may be able to find reasonable rates for four- to five-star hotels.
Traveling around Tuscany is also made easy with the help of a tour provider. Luxury operators offer full assistance to and from the airport or train station, and you can also take advantage of private transportation with a professional English-speaking driver.
Discover your destinations
Like most Italian regions, Tuscany has a beautiful landscape filled with scenic views of the sun and sea. Not to mention, the area has a long, rich history, and you can still see remnants of its distant past through museums like the Uffizi Gallery and buildings such as the Siena Cathedral and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
There’s no time to get too distracted, though. Your wine tour will take you to Tuscany’s hidden winemaking gems, including the charming towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano.
In Montalcino, you’ll find numerous hills peppered with pretty red and yellow flowers, towering oak trees, and picturesque olive groves. But the highlight of your trip will be Podere Le Ripi, a world-renowned winery that produces some of Tuscany’s most prestigious wines. You’ll get to learn from winemaking experts and cellar masters, tasting a unique selection of five wines.
Montepulciano is also a must-visit town known for its Etruscan influence and winding streets. Here, you can stroll around Porta al Prato and Piazza Grande or visit the Oratorio Della Misericordia, Contucci Palace, and the Mercato. And to boost energy for the rest of the day, make sure you visit the Avignonesi Wine Estate for a luxurious lunch with a tasting of the famous Vino Nobile wines.
And, of course, no tour of Tuscany would be complete without a quick visit to the capital city, Florence. Considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has dozens of new experiences to offer, from art galleries to private cooking classes with expert chefs and bakers. You can taste famous Italian classics, such as bruschetta, homemade tagliatelle, and ravioli.
Find your favorite bottle.
Tuscany is one of Italy’s largest winemaking regions, accounting for over 17% of the country’s DOC production. Picking the right wines to taste can be a little overwhelming, but don’t worry—these recommendations will have you ordering drinks and their best pairings like a local:
- Brunello di Montalcino
One of your first stops during your Tuscany wine tour will be Montalcino, home of the popular Brunello producer Podere Le Ripi. Brunello di Montalcino is an exquisite red wine made with nothing but Sangiovese grapes, giving it a deep, rich flavor you’ll never forget.
Brunello is known for its complex and earthy taste, and with a bit of aging, it turns into a luscious beverage reminiscent of chocolate with aromas of leather and tobacco. For an even better experience, make sure you drink it with bold dishes like Pecorino Toscano cheese, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and pasta with wild boar.
- Chianti Classico
Made with 80% Sangiovese grapes, the Chianti Classico is another Tuscan favorite. It is also one of the oldest wines in the region, first produced around the 13th century. Because of its unique composition, the Chianti can come in three types: Gran Selezione, Riserva, and Annata.
Gran Selezione wine is aged for at least 30 months, produced only in a single vineyard. Meanwhile, Riserva wines are younger and aged for around 24 months, and Annata or “regular vintage” generally does not have a minimum aging requirement.
Nevertheless, no matter which type of Chianti you choose, you’ll experience its balanced, slightly spicy taste. This wine is known for having light hints of cherry, violet, and leather, perfectly pairing with fatty meals like meat and pasta.
- Super Tuscan
What gives the Super Tuscan its unforgettable name? This wine may be relatively new, only invented a few decades ago, but it certainly hasn’t disappointed even the most seasoned wine experts. It’s all thanks to the Super Tuscan’s unique composition, made with a combination of local Sangiovese grapes and international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
On top of that, the Super Tuscan is aged in small French oak barrels rather than large traditional oak barrels, resulting in a rich blend of flavors that can range from fruity to spicy and deep to rustic. It’s undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime drinking experience, pairing with everything from tomato-based pasta dishes to filet mignon and braised poultry.
Other popular wines to try in Tuscany include the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Bolgheri, and Vin Santo.
Are you ready to taste some of Italy’s finest wines? Your wine tour in Tuscany will make sure you don’t miss out on a single flavor! Make sure to book your trip with a certified and experienced travel operator for a comfortable and safe travel experience.