Maremma Toscana Wine Region, Tuscany: 10 Best Bottles (2024)

Maremma Toscana is the third-largest wine appellation in southern Tuscany, Italy. It refers to the Grosseto province and encompasses a diverse range of red, white, sparkling, and rose wines. 

The region is known as Tuscany’s “wild west” - both in terms of winemaking techniques and the landscapes.

Let’s explore the Maremma Toscana region - wine styles, 10 best wines, terroir and winemaking, and its history.

Maremma Toscana Wine Styles

Here are some widely produced styles in the Maremma region:

• Red Wine: Can be a blend (or a varietal wine) of Grenache,Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pugnitello, Sangiovese, and Syrah

• White Wine: Can be a blend (or a varietal wine) of Vermentino,Ansonica, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Viognier

• Rose wines: Made from Alicante, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah

The white and roses can also be produced as sparkling wines.

As per the DOC rules, varietal wines must contain 85% of the grape variety mentioned on the label. 

The appellation also allows bi-varietal labeling for red and white wines, using the permitted grape varieties. The first named variety may constitute 50% to 85% of the blend, and the second between 15% to 50%.  

Winemakers can also label certain wine blends, such as Rosato or Bianco, without specifying any varietal grape.

The Maremma region is also known for its Super Tuscans like the Marchesi Antinori Le Mortelle 'Poggio alle Nane'. However, they do not bear the DOC name on their labels.

10 Best Maremma Toscana Wines

Here’s our list of the ten sumptuous Maremma wines:

• 2011 Rocca di Frassinello Baffonero Maremma Rosso
• 2017 Marchesi Antinori Le Mortelle 'Poggio alle Nane' Maremma Toscana
• 1994 Fattoria Le Pupille 'Saffredi' Maremma Toscana
• 2013 Tenuta L'Impostino 'Lupo Bianco' Rosso Maremma Toscana
• 2008 Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana
• 2011 Fattoria Nittardi Nectar Dei Maremma Toscana
• 2007 Terre di Talamo 'Percecco' Maremma Toscana
• 2019 Massa Vecchia Ariento Maremma Toscana
• 2009 Querciabella Mongrana Maremma Toscana
• 2016 Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo 'Tirrenico' Maremma Toscana

1. 2011 Rocca di Frassinello Baffonero Maremma Rosso ($240)

This 100% Merlot wine has a bold ruby red color and a nose of dark fruit, berries, and vanilla. The palate is full-bodied with a pleasant freshness and cedar and black currant notes.

2. 2017 Marchesi Antinori Le Mortelle 'Poggio alle Nane' Maremma Toscana ($60)

This delicious Super Tuscan has seductive aromas of dark fruit, berries, and mint replicated on the palate, along with spicy nuances. The wine has grippy tannin and a long finish.

3. 1994 Fattoria Le Pupille 'Saffredi' Maremma Toscana ($133)

This complex red wine has a nose of blackberry, raspberries, and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine has notes of cassis and licorice, giving it depth and richness. 

4. 2013 Tenuta L'Impostino 'Lupo Bianco' Rosso Maremma Toscana ($108)

This red wine has mesmerizing perfumes of cassis, cedar, and oak. The palate has a warm mouthfeel - perfect to pair with steak and aged cheese.

5. 2008 Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo Maremma Toscana ($60)

This red wine has concentrated fruit flavors with a touch of vanilla and oak. Polished tannins and medium acidity give the wine an enjoyable smoothness.

6. 2011 Fattoria Nittardi Nectar Dei Maremma Toscana ($60)

This Super Tuscan blend has an earthy and fruity bouquet. The palate is dense with dark berries, cocoa, and spice notes, grippy tannin, and refreshing acidity,  making it perfect for hardy game meats.

7. 2007 Terre di Talamo 'Percecco' Maremma Toscana ($60)

This red wine made from Petit Verdot grape has a delicious aroma of mocha, violet, and chocolate. There’s an explosion of ripe cherry on the palate, with warm notes of tobacco and spice in the background.

8. 2019 Massa Vecchia Ariento Maremma Toscana ($41) 

This refreshing white wine has a lively citrus aroma. The palate is medium-bodied with tropical fruit notes. Vibrant acidity and a zesty aftertaste make it a perfect everyday drinking wine.

9. 2009 Querciabella Mongrana Maremma Toscana ($36)

It has bright aromas of red berry, plum, and cedar. Firm tannins and moderate acidity make it pair well with grilled meat and medium aged cheeses.

10. 2016 Mazzei Tenuta Belguardo 'Tirrenico' Maremma Toscana ($20)

This Maremma Toscana exudes aromas of ripe dark berries, herbs, and vanilla. The palate echoes the berry aroma along with oak and mineral notes. 

Now, let’s see what makes Maremma wines so diverse and unique.

Maremma Toscana: Terroir and Winemaking

The Maremma coast, lined with umbrella pines, strawberry trees, and oak trees, hosts some of the most magnificent vineyards in the entire Tuscan region.

The 1,078 hectare vineyard plots in the Maremma wine region stretches across the sloping hills of Mount Amiata rich with volcanic soil, giving the wines a distinct mineral note.

The vine plantings in the region also benefit from rich clay soil, abundant sunlight in the day, and a cool sea breeze at night.

Wine producers may follow traditional or modern winemaking methods and label their wine accordingly.

Sweet wines like the Vin Santo are made using the passito method (using dried grapes) or late-harvest grapes, while sparkling wines are usually made using the classical method (second fermentation in the bottle.)

Red wines like Rosso and Sangiovese are enriched using the Governo technique (refermentation using dried grapes.)

So, has the Maremma region always been a viticultural haven? 

Let’s find out.

A Quick History Of The Maremma Toscana Wine Region

Maremma’s history can be traced back to the 6th century BCE, where it was the center of the Etruscan Empire that later fell into the hands of Romans.

For a long time after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Maremma region was a wild and abandoned marshland. Its reclamation began in the 1700s, under the Grand Duke of Lorraine, and continued throughout the 1800s. 

Over this period, the heavily forested swamps were drained for viticulture and other agriculture purposes.

The region underwent a sudden and massive transformation during the 1990s when winemakers from other regions in Tuscany began investing in Maremma.

In 2011, the Maremma region was promoted from an IGT to DOC status.

Enjoy Brilliant Wines from Tuscany’s Wild Frontier!

From its sprawling white sandy beaches to classic Tuscan rolling hills, the beautiful land of Maremma and its wines truly embodies the Mediterranean soul.

Some exceptional bottles like the Fattoria Le Pupille 'Saffredi' can age for 10+ years and have shown impressive price appreciation over the years.

To invest in coveted Maremma Toscana DOC wines and other fine wines from around the world, you should opt for a reliable wine-investment company like Vinovest.