Consorzio Morellino di Scansano Launches Superiore Designation for DOCG Wines

The Consorzio Morellino di Scansano has officially introduced the Superiore designation for Morellino di Scansano DOCG, marking a significant development for this Tuscan wine region. The announcement was made in Florence during the Chianti Lovers & Rosso Morellino 2026 event, an annual gathering that previews new vintages and attracts international press, trade professionals, and buyers. Thirteen wineries participated, presenting 22 different labels for tasting.

The Superiore designation was published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale, Italy’s official government journal, making changes to the production regulations approved by the Members’ Assembly in 2025 fully effective. This move is seen as a strategic step to strengthen the market position of Morellino di Scansano and to provide greater clarity and value to consumers.

Bernardo Guicciardini Calamai, president of the Consorzio Morellino di Scansano, explained that the new designation is not about creating a new wine but about formally recognizing a style that many producers have already been making. He said that several member wineries have long produced wines that fall between the Annata and Riserva categories, but these wines had not been officially defined or communicated until now.

Under the new rules, Morellino di Scansano Superiore must contain at least 85% Sangiovese grapes, with up to 15% allowed from other non-aromatic black grape varieties. The regulations also require lower maximum yields compared to the Annata version and mandate a longer aging period. Wines labeled as Superiore cannot be released to the market before January 1 of the second year after harvest. These requirements are intended to encourage greater structure and complexity in the wines while maintaining the freshness and balance that characterize Morellino di Scansano.

Guicciardini Calamai emphasized that this change reflects a commitment to quality and to enhancing the identity of coastal Sangiovese wines from this region. He stated that the Superiore designation offers consumers a clear guarantee of consistency and value.

The introduction of Morellino di Scansano Superiore comes at a time when Italian wine producers are increasingly focused on distinguishing their products in a competitive global market. By formalizing this category, the Consorzio aims to support its members in producing wines with stronger identity and higher quality standards.

The Chianti Lovers & Rosso Morellino event provided an important platform for this announcement, bringing together key stakeholders from across the wine industry. The presence of international buyers and media highlighted the growing interest in Tuscan wines and underscored the significance of this regulatory change for both producers and consumers.

With these new regulations now in effect, producers in the Morellino di Scansano DOCG area will begin releasing Superiore wines under the updated guidelines starting with upcoming vintages. The Consorzio expects that this move will help reinforce the reputation of Morellino di Scansano as a source of high-quality Sangiovese-based wines with distinct regional character.