Morellino di Scansano

Sangiovese

Morellino di Scansano DOCG is an Italian red wine made in the hilly environs of the village of Scansano (GR), in the Maremma, which includes a part of the coast of southern Tuscany which has an ancient but obscure tradition of winemaking. Morellino is the local name for the Sangiovese grape varietal. Many people think that the name Morellino comes from "Morello" (brown) , the colour of Maremmano horses. The name may also come from the Morello cherry, an almost inky red cherry with great tartness and acidity. The wine, which was granted DOC status in 1978, and upgraded to DOCG status from the 2007 vintage, is made from at least 85% Sangiovese (which is also the basis of the tuscan wines: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano). The remaining 0–15% can comprise any non aromatic black grape varieties included in a list made and periodically updated by the Regione Toscana (Tuscany) local authorities.

Appellation requirements

Morellino di Scansano does not need to age in wood and can be released in March after harvest, meaning that it can be found on the shelf with less than 8 months of life, thus an amazingly fresh and crisp wine.

Morellino di Scansano Riserva can be released on the 1st of January two years after the harvest. Of these two years, one at least must have been spent in wood.

References

External links

• Consorzio di Tutela del Morellino di Scansano(Italian)