Morellino di Scansano Riserva DOCG is a Tuscan red wine with roots in Maremma, the sunny, coastal corner of southwestern Toscana in the province of Grosseto. Here Sangiovese goes by the local name Morellino, and it is precisely this grape that defines the style. For a Riserva, the wine must consist of at least 85% Sangiovese, while up to 15% may come from other permitted red grapes.
It is the climate that makes the difference. The warm, sunny coast with its sea breeze gives a richer and more supple-tannined style than the Sangiovese you find in inland Toscana. Where the grape further inland often shows itself tight and cool, Morellino di Scansano has a rounder and more approachable character that makes the wines accessible without losing the Tuscan backbone.
The area was granted DOC status in 1978 and was elevated to DOCG from the 2007 vintage. The rules for Riserva are stricter than for the ordinary Morellino, which does not require barrel ageing and is often released early in a fresh and fruit-driven style. A Riserva, by contrast, must be aged for at least two years, of which at least one year on wood, and have at least 13% alcohol. This gives a wine with more depth and a softer, more integrated tannin structure.
It is a style that suits food with power and richness. Tender red meat, dishes with tomato and herbs or mature cheeses pair well with the wine's body and rounded tannins. At the same time, Morellino di Scansano Riserva is a red wine you can easily enjoy without any grand occasion, because the warm coastal character makes it both cosy and easy to approach.
At Copenhagen Wine we place great value on provenance, and Morellino di Scansano Riserva is a fine example of how a single appellation can express both its grape and its landscape. If you want to understand how many faces Sangiovese can have in Toscana, Maremma's softer interpretation is an obvious place to dive in.