Term that came into vogue in the late 1980s when several red wines from tuscany began attracting international attention. These superlative wines had to be labeled vino da tavola (table wines), though in some cases they were superior to docg and doc wines and able to command higher prices. But such wines were ineligible for Italy's top classifications because they were produced using either unauthorized varieties (like cabernet sauvignon and merlot), an unapproved composition (such as 100 percent sangiovese in areas where it wasn't approved), or unsanctioned methods (like using small, nontraditional oak barrels for aging). And so the problem became what to call wines of superior quality that didn't meet official premium wine designations-"super Tuscans" fit the bill. Although most super Tuscans are still sold as "vino da tavola," in the mid-1990s, the Italian government granted some of the top super Tuscans their own DOC status. For example, Sassicaia may now be labeled "Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC" (see bolgheri doc). Other super Tuscans are La Brancaia, Camartina, Casalferro, Cepparello, Felciaia, Fontalloro, Grattamacco Rosso, Guado al Tasso, Luce, Lupicaia, Olmaia, Ornellaia, Paleo Rosso, Saffredi, Sassello, Solaia, Summus, and Tignanello.

Wine Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.