Geography and Climate
The Tuscany is located in Italy and to the west has a maritime orientation shaped by the Ligurian Sea and the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. The Apennines form a significant inland mountain system. The climate is predominantly warm-temperate with dry summers; temperatures vary depending on altitude, distance from the sea and geographical latitude.
The Bolgheri Wine-Growing Area
The coastal wine-growing area Bolgheri belongs to the administrative area of Castagneto Carducci. It stretches for roughly 13 kilometres from north to south and seven kilometres from east to west. The landscape includes hills aligned north to south, a foothill and plain zone, as well as the Tyrrhenian coast to the west; vineyards are located at about 10 to 380 metres above sea level. The soils of marine and alluvial origin range from sand and sandy loam to clay and silty clay.
Wines and Wine-Growing
Bolgheri red wines are often based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, complemented by Syrah, Petit Verdot or Sangiovese. They are described as having ripe dark fruit, balsamic aromas of Mediterranean maquis, fresh acidity and a dense tannin structure. White wines are usually based on Vermentino and may include Sauvignon Blanc or Viognier; traditionally, the fresh, fruit-forward style aged without contact with oak is in the foreground. The DOC regulations also allow Sauvignon and Trebbiano Toscano for white wines, as well as other approved Tuscan varieties for red and rosé wines.
History and Regulations
For the area of Castagneto Carducci, Etruscan and Roman origins of winegrowing have been documented. The first Bolgheri DOC production code was approved in 1983 for white and rosé wines; in 1994 red wines were officially recognised and the Bolgheri Sassicaia sub-zone was established. Since 2011, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc may also be used as varietal wines, while in 2013 Bolgheri Sassicaia became a separate appellation. DOC vineyards must have at least 4,500 vines per hectare. For Bolgheri Superiore, at least two years of ageing are required, including at least one year in oak barrels.
