24 Apr Super Tuscan Wines: Toscana I.G.T.
So what are IGT wines? How did they come about? Are IGT wines just from Tuscany? Are they Super Tuscans? Finally who coined the term ‘Super Tuscan’ and what was it meant to convey?
Firstly, let me try to explain some of the factual answers to those question, along with my opinion of a possible explanation.
IGT stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica(Typical Geographical Indication) this denomination was created in 1992 to raise awareness of a higher tier above ‘Vino da Tavola’ (Table Wine) category for quality wines that did not meet the requirements for DOC or DOCG denominations.
As previously mentioned, the main reason for this new classification coming into play was caused by winemakers experimenting with ‘unsanctioned’ wine varieties blending international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc with indigenous grapes to make a better quality product. Some IGT wines are made by a single indigenous grape but remain out of the DOC DOCG classification as the vinification method may differ and not comply. These wines did not fall into any recognised categories in the 70’s and 80’s so they became Vino da Tavola, the lowest grade, and yet many of these wines were of superior quality. It took the slow moving Italian bureaucracy some 15/20 years to change the wine laws, hence IGT.
read more:
https://www.tonywooditalianwine.com/post/super-tuscan-wines-toscana-i-g-t