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Tuscan IGT wines: panel tasting results

Given the range of vintages on display, our judges were delighted with the quality they found across the board in wines based on both Sangiovese and international varieties, praising their character and good balance.

Susan Hulme MW, Andrea Briccarello and Annette Scarfe MW tasted 74 wines with 6 Outstanding and 52 Highly Recommended.

Entry criteria: producers and UK agents were invited to submit their Tuscan red IGT wines, from the latest vintage release and priced at £8 or above in the UK


Tuscan IGT wines: panel tasting scores

74 wines tasted

Exceptional 0

Outstanding 6

Highly recommended 52

Recommended 15

Commended 0

Fair 1

Poor 0

Faulty 0


There is a great heritage to live up to for Tuscany’s IGT wines. The classification (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) was established in 1992 as a solution to a particular problem: in the early 1980s, the rules for Chianti Classico enshrined some of the worst aspects of post-war traditions. White grapes were compulsory in the blend, diluting the quality, while international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were not permitted.

Those who wanted to create wines outside these restrictions had to label their wines as ‘vino da tavola’, leading to a situation in which Tuscany’s most famous wines, such as Sassicaia and Tignanello, were under Italy’s lowest wine designation.

The creation of the IGT Toscana denomination was an attempt to rectify this situation and allowed winemakers more scope to experiment. Nowadays the denomination can encompass anything from a 100% Sangiovese to a classic Bordeaux blend, or even a 100% Syrah or Montepulciano.

The wines can come from anywhere in Tuscany.

Of 74 IGT Toscana reds in this tasting, we rated six Outstanding (‘gold’) and 52 Highly recommended (‘silver’). Andrea Briccarello commented: ‘The overall quality of the tasting was stunning, with some amazing wines.’


Scroll down to see tasting notes and scores for the top Tuscan IGT wines



Top-scoring wines from the Tuscan IGT panel tasting

The following 27 wines scored 92 points or above


The judges

Susan Hulme MW is a wine writer specialising in Italian wines. A DWWA judge, she travels regularly to Italian wine regions and runs her own wine education and consultancy company, Vintuition, providing training and courses for both wine trade and public.

Andrea Briccarello is business development manager at Jascots, the specialist on-trade wine merchant. Formerly head sommelier and wine buyer at Galvin restaurant group, he also worked previously as a brand manager for Bisol Prosecco, and judges regularly for the DWWA.

Annette Scarfe MW is a wine consultant with a focus on the on-trade, and a WSET and Bordeaux educator. Based in Singapore, she is part of Moët Hennessy Wine Division’s Estates & Wines team, and also judges for numerous publications and competitions around the world, including the DWWA.


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