Tuscany Wine Regions Explained

The three wine regions of Tuscany

Tuscany is not a single wine region, it is three major regions less than two hours' drive apart, each making wine its own way. Before a first trip to Tuscany, it helps to understand these differences. They change the route of an entire trip.

Brunello di Montalcino - King of Tuscany

Brunello is made entirely from Sangiovese grapes grown in Montalcino alone, aged a minimum of five years before release. Riserva requires six, a rule that makes Brunello expensive and serious.

The winery we always take clients to is Castello Banfi, because beyond Riserva-level wine, the estate is a hotel inside a castle. Clients have a tasting with the family's enologist and walk back to their bedroom.

• Standard Brunello · from €45 at the winery
• Brunello Riserva · €80–150
• Sweet-spot vintages · 2016, 2019, 2020

Chianti Classico - Tuscany's daily wine

Chianti Classico (note the "Classico", different from plain Chianti) is produced between Florence and Siena, from Sangiovese blended with up to 20% local red grapes, fruity, drinkable, suited to lunch.

Chianti Classico's Riserva ages 24+ months; Gran Selezione 30 months, quality tiers that put Chianti on par with Brunello at the premium level.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - the third sibling

Montepulciano is only 40 minutes from Montalcino, but the microclimate differs, the wine comes out less intense than Brunello, with more elegance. We add it to the program once a client has begun to understand Sangiovese.

"I came expecting one Tuscan wine, I left understanding three terroirs and why each tells a different story of the same grape." - Khun Pichet, food & wine group, October 2025

The tasting order we recommend

When we design a wine day in Tuscany, we usually arrange it like this:

1. Morning, Chianti Classico tasting at a small family winery (light intro)
2. Lunch, pranzo at the vineyard with a glass of Chianti
3. Afternoon, Brunello vertical tasting at Castello Banfi (three vintages)

If you want to go deeper into Tuscany, our Italy trips include two nights at Banfi specifically, see the full program.

What to buy and bring home

Thai customs allow one litre of duty-free wine. For more, we offer shipping to Bangkok via our partner, 6–8 weeks, worth it for a Brunello Riserva 2016 you can't find at home.