Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines - Tuscany - Whole Bunch Wines Wine Tasting
We have a real live Italiano here at Whole Bunch Wines, so let's talk to HER about the wines of home! She has been serving up absolute stunners throughout her series of Italian Wines. Take a look at the ONE of her Hidden Gems tastings here.
We wanted to shed some light on another wonderful showcase of Italian wines. This time it is all about Tuscany. World-class, classic Tuscan reds that are a must-try for any wine aficionado, or someone who just loves a glass of red!
Don't forget to check out our website, for a full list of upcoming wine tastings!
We split the tasting between two top Tuscan producers, so let's take a little look into them and the wines which the lucky tasting attendees got to try!
Dievole
Dievole is a historic vineyard which dates back to 1090. This tranquil Tuscan setting was passed to the Dievole family eight centuries later, as part of a wedding gift. Where do we get friends like that...?
The contract marking this gift still exists today and is a part of the Dievole family who still tend to this vineyard.
Now, they have 16 vineyards that produce wines which perfectly showcase the essence of Tuscany.
Image Courtesy of https://dievole.it/en/
Chianti Classico Petrignano
The Petrignano area has a rich soil which is packed full of stones and minerals, as well as some limestone on the surface. This adds a real texture to this deep ruby red wine. A fruity bouquet packed full of cherry and blackberry, gives way to a rich experience on the palate. Warm and velvety with an abundance of black fruit flavours.
Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Chianti Classico, but even more Classico. This one is from the finest area of Chinati and was made to celebrate the 900 years of history behind Dievole wines. The liquid is an intense ruby red, with tart red fruit and spiced notes on the nose. This full-bodied, yet balanced and elegant wine, displays that distinct minerality from the soil and the finish is persistent and full on panache.
Vigna di Sessina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
The final offering we chose from Dievole comes from the best selection of grapes from the Vigna di Sessina vineyard. The ruby liquid reflects a subtle flair of garnet. Pure notes of red fruit and dried violet intermingle with splendidly spiced fragrances. Once more, we have a wine which oozes elegance. Mature tannins are matched by a powerfully flavoured wine. Excellent, sheer excellence.
San Polo
San Polo is another Tuscany institution which is driven by a passion for viticulture. Marilisa Allegrini, the first Italian woman to appear on the cover of Wine Spectator, ventured from Valpolicella to Tuscany in 2001 and hasn't looked back.
Today, she presides over the 100% organic San Polo estate which has created a state of the art winery in the beautiful rural setting of Tuscany.
Image Courtesy of https://www.sanpolomontalcino.it/en
San Polo Rubio Toscana
A fresh and vibrant example of Tuscan red wine. 100% Sangiovese, but a thoroughly modern expression. Lively red fruit notes jump from this wine which is fermented in aged in just stainless steel. This absence of oak ageing really lets the fresh and fruity notes sing! Read More
San Polo Rosso di Montalcino
This wine has a slightly more classic Chianti feel. Ruby red, with a note of fresh berries, Morello cherries, vanilla and baking spice. Fragrant and intense, with a smooth finish on the palate. Read More
Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG
We had to finish the tasting with an absolute show-stopper, as sadly the show does have to stop eventually. Brunello, (which translates to 'little brown'), is one of our favourite styles of wine not just in Chianti, but the world. It is still 100% Sangiovese, but it has spent a long time in oak and further time in the bottle. This leads to a really complex, soft and somewhat savoury wine. A wine admired by connoisseurs across the globe.
Upcoming Italian Tastings
Melissa has plenty more in store for her series of Italian wine tastings. Come take a peek at the upcoming Italian tastings.
- Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines Part V: Piemonte Part 1 (24/04/25)
- Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines Part V: Piemonte Part 2 (01/05/25)
- Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines: Lombardi (22/05/25)
- Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines - Veneto Part I (05/06/25)
- Melissa's Guide to the Best Italian Wines - Veneto Part 2 (19/06/25)
Check out all of these tastings and more on our site.
Don't Miss Out!
Make sure to check out our wine tastings and monthly wine club, if you want to try great wines like the ones mentioned in this blog post. Links below:
- Manchester Wine Tastings & Events
- Sauce Subscription (Monthly Wine Club)