The “Terra d’Arezzo” or Land of Arezzo is full of wines and flavors and is considered one of the richest areas in Italy for wine varieties and production. There are numerous wine cellars, age-old estates, wine bars and vineyards that continue the culture of wine that began in the Etruscan era and continues today at almost every Tuscan table.
It’s not just about Chianti. Arezzo is known for its Chianti DOCG, for the Valdarno di Sopra DOC, the Cortona DOC, the Valdichiana Toscana DOC and for its many wines with the Typical Geographical Indication designation. The so-called Wine Roads interconnect in the four valleys of Arezzo in Val di Chiana, Valtiberina, Casentino and Valdarno.
Let’s start with the Chianti dei Colli Aretini which is a pure Sangiovese or a mix of Sangiovese and native vines such as the Canaiolo and Colorino. Sometimes it can be a mix of the international grapes such as the Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, but only to a limited extent. For the Chianti Colli Aretini, the white grapes of Trebbiano and Malvasia can also be used.
The Valdarno di Sopra DOC is the wine that comes from the eastern and western hills of the Val d’Arno flatlands between Arezzo and the Florentine hills. In Terranuova Bracciolini, there is a consortium that preserves its controlled origin, its authenticity and its taste. This area also produces a wonderful white wine, a sparkling white wine, a rosè wine and sparkling rosè and a red wine. It produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet franc, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. A sweet raisin-flavored wine is made from the white grapes. This liquid gold is best savored on-site at the wine cellars, at the estates or on a sunny terrace in the Valdarno area of Arezzo.
Cortona DOC refers to Syrah, Merlot and Sangiovese. In the lush hills of Cortona, peace is everywhere. The Syrah of Cortona is very famous and has a fresh, decisive and elegant taste. Legend has it that this ancient grape -perhaps from oriental, Persian or Mediterranean origins in Syracuse- arrived in Cortona during Napoleon’s time. In Cortona, it found its ground and grew heartily “Under the Tuscan Sun” to create a unique scent and flavor.
Valdichiana Toscana DOC is the wine that originated in the hills that stretch from Arezzo to Siena and Perugia. This land offers a “Donna” profile and lends an equally strong and lovable grape. The White or the Virgin White, the Chardonnay, the Grechetto, the Sparkling White, the Sparkling Wine, the Red, the Rosè Sangiovese and the sweet copper-colored Vin Santo and Vin Santo Riserva, made with partially dried Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes are aged in small oak barrels.
Wine is the nectar of the gods. Drinking wine is part of a daily ritual that we can enjoy together. It’s the magic ingredient that brings joy to any Tuscan table. All the strength of this land, kissed by the sun and worked by rough, wise hands for thousands of years is encapsulated in each glass. In every sip, there is a tribute to life and to its roots of this Tuscan land.
