Morellino di Scansano Wine Region Guide

The esteemed sub-region of Morellino di Scansano in Tuscany has an exclusive array of red wines known worldwide for their significance and reputation. They are called Morellino and are very popular in local wine bars and restaurants in various parts of Italy and not only. As you embark on your travels through the reputable wine region of Tuscany, we invite you to explore these extraordinary wines. Morellino di Scansano’s wines have developed due to specificities such as sunlight hours, vineyard location and winemaking predilections of the area. These elements produce a style of wine found nowhere else in Italy or the world, for that matter.

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Where is the Morellino di Scansano wine appellation located?

Morellino di Scansano is a sub-region belonging to the prominent Tuscany wine region in the heart of Italy. It is located in the south of Tuscany, bordering other prestigious wine appellations of Montecucco, Sovana and Capalbio, in the larger wine area called Maremma. The village of Scansano is also nearby. The vineyards of Morellino di Scansano cover around 25 square kilometres of surface and are primarily located between the rivers Ombrone and Albenga.

The history of Morellino di Scansano wine region

Morellino di Scansano wine might not have been as famous as Chianti Classico or Montepulciano appellations, but it has truly gained much fame in recent years. Still, the winemaking in the Scansano area dates back to the Etruscans' time. Many winegrowers have been operating there since then, and their wine quality has been documented for centuries. Its name comes from the Italian word “morello”, meaning little dark one, due to its intense dark red colour, but some sources claim that its name is derived from the horse’s breed, unique to this area of Tuscany. Producing high-quality wine for years, Morellino di Scansano wine region gained DOC status in 1978; however, it has not stopped developing there and enhanced its status to DOCG by becoming an authorized, guaranteed wine appellation in 2007.

Morellino di Scansano wine appellation terroir

Morellino di Scansano wine appellation boasts its excellent terroir, both in terms of soil and climate. With its vineyards located on the coastal hills at the Tyrrhenian Sea at an altitude of 150 metres, the region enjoys the perfect climate for vine-growing, including abundant sunshine and cool sea breezes balancing the summer heat. Diurnal temperature variation is also significant, resulting in optimal acidity of grapes. All these climatic factors ensure the excellence of grapes’ quality and good ripening. The soil in the area has two types: marine sediments and volcanic. There are many hills with acidic soils, but there are also plenty of hills where you can grow an alkaline crop.

Morellino di Scansano wine characteristics

The main grape variety in the Morellino di Scansano wine appellation is Sangiovese, which, being in the south of Tuscany, can achieve the highest ripeness levels than the ones in other appellations of the region. Therefore, it results in a rounder, more distinctive style of red wine, which can also be regarded as a rustic style. 85% of the Morellino di Scansano wine blend must contain Sangiovese grapes, and the remaining 15%, other accepted varieties such as Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike other DOCGs in the Tuscany region, Morellino di Scansano normal red wine does not require ageing, meaning it can be consumed as young as 5–6 months old. Consequently, the wine is fresher and crispier, having refreshing acidity and tartness of cherries, plums, and pomegranates with spicy notes. It has a dark ruby colour and minimum alcohol content of 12.5%. However, Morellino di Scansano Riserva must be aged for at least two years, from which at least one year must be in an oak barrel. Thus, the Riserva results in a more robust, structured wine with good ageing potential and minimum alcohol content of 13%. It has more earthy flavours of leather, herbs, and cedar. 

Food to pair with Morellino di Scansano wine

Buglione d'agnello

Buglione d'agnello is a dish that traditionally originates from the Italian region of Maremma. This dish consists of lamb meat, tomatoes, garlic, red wine, rosemary sprigs, salt, and pepper. The ingredients are mixed together and then cooked in olive oil on a frying pan until the meat becomes tender. This hearty dish is served with fresh, crispy bread, and it is highly recommended to pair it with a glass of Morellino di Scansano.

Maiale ubriaco 

Maiale ubriaco is a dish from the Tuscany region which, literary, means drunken pork. This dish is typically made by cooking a whole pig in red wine, water, garlic, and fennel until it becomes soft. The pork meat is served with baked vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, courgettes etc. or lettuce mix massaged in lemon juice and olive oil. This flavourful dish is the best to pair with Sangiovese-based red wine to experience the taste of authentic Tuscan cuisine.

Panficato 

Panificato is a conventional Italian dessert, coming from the island of Giglio. It consists of a mix of nuts, dried fruits, flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon and red wine. The figs and raisins are soaked in wine for a day, then drained and finely chopped along with walnuts and almonds. Finally, they are kneaded, mixed with flour, cocoa and cinnamon, and baked in the oven in the shape of cookies. This stuffed and nutty dessert goes exceptionally well with Morellino di Scansano regular red or Morellino di Scansano Riserva.

Places to visit in the Morellino di Scansano wine region

Museo Archeologico e della Vite e del Vino

These are two museums united in one, the archaeological and wine museums. This visit starts from pre-history, where you can see evidence of nomadic settlements, up to Etruscan age testimonies: picturesque villages and the fortified centre of Ghiaccioforte, located in the Scansano area. The tour continues with the Roman age. There's a Roman villa close to Aia Nova farm in Scansano. It's one of many reconstructions and is fully fleshed out, right down to date palms and twig fences. The Museum of the Vine and Wine is a museum that informs visitors about all facets of wine. The sections: Historical, Production, The “Vine and Wine Cycle”, Traditions, and Information are all dedicated to having guests gain a better understanding of Italian wine culture and tradition.

Castello di Montorgiali

The Castle of Montorgiali is located in the medieval village of Montograli, near Scansano. It was built during the 12th century at the behest of the Montorgiali family, vassals of the Aldobrandeschi family. The Montorgiali family sold the Castle to the Republic of Siena in 1378 after having sided against the branch of Santa Fiora. The structure is made up of several buildings that cling together.

Teatro Castagnoli

Teatro Castagnoli is one of the most prestigious theatres in the Maremma. Built in 1852, it has recently been renovated, revealing its old white walls and red benches. Sensaco was chosen as a location, as there the Grand Duke of Grosseto and other wealthy Grossetani used to spend their summer holidays. It is an unmissable sightseeing of the region and highly praised by manifold visitors for its amazing performances. 

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