Suvereto

The Protected Designation of Origin Suvereto includes, in addition to the homonymous red wine that is the basic type, also the types Suvereto Sangiovese, Suvereto Merlot and Suvereto Cabernet Sauvignon.

Grapes

The four different types of Suvereto wine correspond to a different composition of the grapes used for production. For the basic Suvereto, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are mainly (and in some cases also exclusively) used, with which other non-aromatic red grapes, suitable for cultivation in Tuscany, can contribute up to a maximum of 15%. In the typologies with the indication Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, on the other hand, a minimum of 85% of the fruits of the corresponding vines are used and for the remaining 15% other red grapes are used, with the same characteristics as those specified above.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The red Suvereto wine has a brilliant ruby red, tending to garnet. It has a vinous and delicate aroma and a dry, full-bodied, velvety and harmonious flavour, enhanced by a possible hint of wood. The Sangiovese variant has similar characteristics, with a greater intensity of the ruby colour and a perfume with a finer character. An intense ruby red is also the tonality of Suvereto Merlot and Suvereto Cabernet Sauvignon. Both of these types have a characteristic and delicate aroma (the Cabernet is more elegant) and a dry, harmonious and full-bodied flavour. For all types, the minimum total alcholic strength by volume is 12,50% vol. and 13,00% vol. for the mentions Reserve.

Grape production area

The production area coincides only with the territory of the municipality of Suvereto, in the province of Livorno.

Specificity and historical notes

The history of Suvereto's wine production is based on a number of fundamental stages. During the Roman Empire the cultivation of grapes and the vinification in a rational way developed. In the 14th century, the feudal Della Gherardesca family gave new life to wine production. Finally, from the seventeenth century, with the birth of the Academy of Gergofili and the fragmentation of the landed estate, there was a further extension of these activities.