Tuscany is Italian wine. For many this statement is without question, except those who produce wines in Piemonte, the Veneto and the other 17 regions of Italy. When one thinks of Italian, the first wine that comes to mind is Chianti and in particular Chianti Classico, which for decades has been the leading red wine of quality for Italy on the International Market. Not to mention Brunello di Montalcino and SuperTuscans like Tignanello and Sassicaia. The region is famed for its red wines based mainly or fully on the Sangiovese grape but revered for Super Tuscans made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah as well as the noble Sangiovese. The region has become famous for more than the DOCG and DOC mentioned to include the AOP's of Maremma, Carmignano, Bolgheri, Scansano, Montecucco and the revitalized Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, which is producing some stellar Sangiovese wines. White wines are still not as popular in the region but Vernaccia di San Gimignano continues to be one of Italy's finest white wines and there is some good work being done with Vermentino within the region. Smaller Importers have also made available a wider selection of the best producers from the other Chianti DOC areas of Rufina, Colli Senesi, Colli Pisani, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Colli Fiorentini. While many Chianti DOCG are mediocre, thin and lack complexity, there are some good buys to be found among them, The real quality is in the more specific zones, especially the Classico zone. These are typically medium weight wines with herb, spice, licorice, crushed floral notes among attractive red fruits with some darker fruit notes. The tannins are modest and acidity bright and they really are food friendly. The exciting wines are the Riserva level and the Gran Selezione of the Classico zone, which join the wines of Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bolgheri and Maremma as the best of Sangiovese origin wines. The wines gain intensity, complexity and weight as you move up the scale within a producers offerings. Are there Riserva's that will disappoint? Yes, like in any area of production, there are producers that aim to meet the minimum standard and others that are only satisfied with exceeding those expectations. While Brunello di Montalcino requires 100% Sangiovese content, other AOP's allow for other grapes to make up a minor part of the blend. Among the other grapes are Colorino, Mammolo, Canaiolo Nero and in some AOP, the International Varieties of Cabernet Sauvignn, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah. This makes for a broad palette to be painted by Tuscan Vignerons. The red wines are aged in stainless steel, concrete, large and small oak or chestnut, a combination of old and new oak and some other vessels for specialized cuvees. As for the whites, you can expect medium bodied, crisp, dry wines with light floral, nutty, herbal inflection and white fruits. Riserva versions take on stone fruits, some more exotic tropical tones, the nuances of oak character and leesy minerality and a more creamy texture that carefully maintains a crisp acid profile. Other wine styles are produced in the region but the only one of note besides reds and whites are those known as Vin Santo. These dessert wines are among the finest in all of Italy and are based on varieties like Trebbiano and Moscadello.