Super rating, super price – Is this Super Tuscan super? (#ItalianFWT)

Two weeks ago, the spouse and I arrived at our new home in the Pacific Northwest. A couple of days after that, two Covid 19-masked movers unloaded a pod containing most of our earthy belongings. A journey of almost 3,000 miles had drawn to a close.

We’ve been here multiple times to visit our family, but now we were on our own – settling down and finding our way around like newlyweds. Where to locate the kitchen utensils? Where to shop for groceries? And of course, where to buy wine?

Everything is complicated in these pandemic days. But I lucked out when I called Wildside Wine about two miles from my home and Carol picked up.

“We aren’t normally open except on Fridays and Saturdays,” she chirped. “But I’m here today until 1 pm if you want to pick up something.”

“Do you have any Super Tuscans?” I asked with trepidation.

Super Tuscans are the focus of this month’s Italian Food, Wine and Travel (#ItalianFWT) event on Twitter (6/27 starting at 8 am PT/11 am ET). If reading this post in time, please follow along by using the hashtag.

“Yes, we have several Super Tuscans,” she replied and rattled off names. “The Zingari is highly rated and only $13. ”

What? I asked her to repeat what she had just said.

“It’s delicious,” she added.

“I’ll be right over,” I announced.

What’s a Super Tuscan

To answer this question, let’s turn back the clock to the late 1960s, when a number of Italy’s Tuscan winemakers felt constrained by new rules governing production of their wines.

Rather than confining themselves to Sangiovese, the iconic grape of the region, and other indigenous grapes, these break-away winemakers opted for international varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc in their blends.

They departed from the norm by using the region’s unregulated Vino da Tavola (table wine) label, the lowest tier in Italy’s wine classification system, to produce modern, high-quality wines that belied the title and later became known as “Super Tuscans.”  

“These wines soon gained international acclaim and respect and began increasing dramatically in price. The result was that some of Italy’s very finest and most respected wines were being labeled and sold as Vino di Tavola. In 1984, one of the most famous Super Tuscans – Sassicaia – was granted its very own DOC [Denominazione di Origine Controllata] title, DOC Bolgheri Sassicaia…” – wine searcher.com

To bring a degree of balance to the situation, the Italian government introduced a new wine classification category, Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT), in 1992. IGT wines are created with the bare minimum of restrictions required to ensure quality wine production. Toscana IGT wines can be made in any village in any of Tuscany’s 10 provinces and in almost every style imaginable, from bone-dry whites to sweet reds and sparkling rosés.

The wine – 2017 Petra Zingari Toscana IGT
25% Merlot, 25% Sangiovese, 25% Syrah, 25% Petit Verdot

“The memory of the past and the force of nature” – Petra Zingari

Zingari is billed as an “experimental” vineyard planted to the four varieties used in this blend. Located near the village of Suvereto in the Maremma area near the Tyrrhenian Sea, this spot was the site of a water spring used as a stop-over for religious pilgrims and other wayfarers in ancient times.

At 93 points, the 2017 Petra Zingari ranked 29^th on the 2019 Wine Spectator Top 100 wine list. It also drew 93 points from wine critic James Suckling. Generally, I prefer to reach my own conclusions about a wine, but I mention the top rating because I’m evaluating whether this wine is indeed “super.”

My tasting notes: Medium ruby in color. Inviting and varied aromas immediately hit the nose: cherry and black cherry, earth, thyme, rosemary, charcoal. On the palate, I get cherry and slight sour cherry, tobacco, and a hint of chocolate. A tangy yet soft mouthfeel had both of these tasters reaching for more, please. Medium+ acidity. Medium+ finish. Drink now or hold for a few years. Alcohol: 13.5%. Price: $13.

A quick pairing for two weary travelers

With boxes still piled up, an oven not yet operational, and a grill yet to be purchased, I’m keeping meals simple and easy to prepare. OK, I prefer meals simple and easy to prepare. But I’m definitely taking some shortcuts now!

I also decided, in this new West Coast lifestyle of mine, that I would do more pairings for lunch, rather than dinner. Why not? It’s dinnertime somewhere.

All of that background leads me to the light lunch I put together for the Zingari: English muffin pizzas in the toaster oven. I used what I had on hand – marinara sauce, feta and parmesan cheeses, pearl onions, black olives, spinach, oregano. With this tangy, herbaceous wine blend, the homemade pizzas were delicious. The food and wine acted like they were meant for each other.

And now, to answer the title question: Is this Super Tuscan super? Of course that depends on your definition of “super,” right? Some would argue the Zingari isn’t a Super Tuscan at all, because it isn’t one of the original red blends considered as one.

To me, this wine is an outstanding value for price (c’mon, $13!), super food friendly, and thirst quenching. Is it as super as the Montecucco Sangiovese blend we opened last month? Not exactly. But I’d buy this Zingari again and again.

Check out what all the #Italian FWT bloggers think of Super Tuscans and join us 6/27 for the chat. Should be fun!

• Naming Rights + Super Tuscans |  We get the scoop from our host at L’Occasion.
• Super Tuscans, Take-Out Pizza, and a Spicy Summer Salad | This post comes to you from the kitchen magician behind Culinary Adventures with Camilla.
• Super Tuscans: What’s It All About? | This question will be answered by the founder of #ItalianFWT, VinoTravels.
• A Stop at Brancaia and a Pizza Night | A perfect combo from California’s own Somm’s Table.
• Super rating, super price – Is this Super Tuscan super? | The question will be answered in full by My Full Wine Glass.
• Have You Tried These Super Tuscans? | Get the opportunity to explore with The Wining Hour.
• There’s no need to Fear, Super Tuscans are here! | Hear the heroic call from Our Good Life.
• Are Super Tuscans still relevant and worth my time and money?| Find out all there is to know with Crushed Grape Chronicles.
• Cooper’s Hawk: A Great Concept and a Super Super Tuscan | Get the inside scoop on this treat from A Day In the Life on the Farm.
• I Colazzi and a Big Ol’ Steak | Don’t miss this outstanding combo from Joy of Wine.
• No Super Tuscans for Me! | The point of view from Food Wine Click! is super clear.
• Super Tuscans: Keep Your Sassicaia, I’ll take the Sangiovese | A message from Wine Predator to all readers.
• Super Tuscan Is All About The Name, Not In The Wine | According to an Italian wine expert, Grapevine Adventures.
• Looking Beyond the Name Super-Tuscans | Insight from Avvinare that goes deeper than the title.
• Let’s Talk Super Tuscans. Plus, a Super Pairing: I Sodi di San Niccolò and Pasta with Scallops and Shrimp in a Tomato Mushroom Sauce | A conversation starter from The Wine Chef.