Morellino di Scansano

Morellino di Scansano is since 14th November 2006 DOCG ( Denominazione di Origine Controlled and Guaranteed ) wine -growing region in southern Tuscany. In the area around the town of Scansano Morellino the Sangiovese grape is called.

History

The first evidence of viticulture in Scansano can be found in the 19th century. Previously it was not possible on an agrarian use of the Maremma. The area was in ancient times a vast salt lake ( Lacus Prelius ) and in the Middle Ages an almost uninhabited swampland in the malaria epidemic. Only the comprehensive program for the draining of the marshes, the application of a channel system and cultivation of the land by Grand Duke Leopold II created the conditions for the olive and wine growing.

Until the late 20th century only table wines were produced. With a decree as of 6 January 1978, the DOC zone ( Denominazione di origine controllata ) was still about 20 years earlier institutionalized as the neighboring areas in less developed tourist region which will primarily living from mining to in the 80s; the first tourist area of ​​international importance lay south of Grosseto around Monte Argentario.

1992 a winery consortium was established, which includes 22 large-scale companies with approx 120 individual wineries. Objectives of the consortium are a voluntary quality control and bundling of distribution.

With the decree of 14/11/2006 - PDO 29/11/2006 applies the Morellino di Scansano from the 2007 vintage as DOCG.

Location

The DOC area covers the whole municipality of Scansano and parts of the municipalities Campagnatico, Grosseto, Magliano in Toscana, Manciano, Roccalbegna and Semproniano. The decree identified the field exactly one reference to streets and rivers. With about 400 acres of vineyards area there is a rather small -scale wine region. An extension to 1,400 hectares is planned.

Core areas are located between the rivers of Ombrone and Albegna.

The wines

Article 2 of the DOC Decree stipulates that the red wine of the DOC area of 85% must consist of Sangiovese. The rest may be admixtures of other red grape varieties of the province of Grosseto. The cultivation of white wine and Vin Santo is not regulated; previously Morellino di Scansano is a pure wine-growing district.

Riserva wine may be called, which is aged for at least two years in cask.

The wine must have the following properties:

  • Ruby red color, with longer storage pomegranate - red
  • Smell flowery, intense prolonged barrel aging; Associations of red fruits, berries, blackberries, black pepper and cinnamon have been described
  • Dry flavor, lightly tannic
  • Alcohol content of at least 12.5 percent by volume, Riserva 13%
  • Minimum acidity of 4.5 ‰
  • Total extract 24 g / l, in Reserve 26 g / l

To avoid overproduction, the yield to 90 quintals per hectare is limited. At the same time, a 20% tolerance limit is given because a measurement in practice is hardly possible. As an indication is given that the bed may be at most 70 %, ie from 100 kg of berries may max. 70 liters of wine are produced with DOC label.

Marketing

Morellino di Scansano is sold by wineries, wine shops in and by direct sales. Numerous restaurants in Tuscany, but also in other regions of Italy have it on offer.

In contrast to the north bordering larger DOC zone Monte di Massa Marittima Morellino di Scansano has achieved a degree of international recognition. It is available in stores in Germany. An award have not yet reached by 2006, the wines.

Varietal Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany
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