When it comes to Tuscany and it’s fabulous wines, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano are the first to come to mind. But the Bolgheri appellation, located along the Tuscan coast just to the south of Livorno, has recently grown into one of the region’s more prestigious districts.
Wine first began coming out of Bolgheri in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the first vintage of Sassicaia in 1968 that Bolgheri began garnering world wide attention. Half a century later, the region has continued to deliver quality wine after quality wine. From Tenuta San Guido and Grattamacco to Ornellaia and Le Macchiole, estates across the district have been making cabernet sauvignon the talk of Tuscany, even if sangiovese remains the region’s top grape.
Why are the great grapes of Bordeaux thriving on the coast of Tuscany? As it turns out, due to Bolgheri’s vicinity of the sea, the appellation has a microclimate that’s particularly suitable for international grape varieties, such as cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. The sea helps provide a consistent climate, where the water reflects the sun, helping to ripen the grapes while the sea breeze makes the climate more moderate.
Still, Bolgheri wines remain unique. Think of them as the Mediterranean versions of those famed French grapes. They possess a certain maritime quality, yet remain silky and herbaceous.
While the red wines are certainly the talk of the region, Bolgheri also produces quality whites. Vermentino does surprisingly well, where its proximity to the sea allows it to fully ripen.
Bolgheri has shot to prominence in a short time and its success seems like it will continue well into the future.
Check out some of Bolgheri’s top wines according to Wine Searcher below:
| Wine Name | Grape | Score | Avg Price |
| Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon | 94 | $312 |
| Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Matarocchio Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Cabernet Franc | 94 | $425 |
| Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Bordeaux Blend Red | 94 | $240 |
| Le Macchiole ‘Paleo’ Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | Cabernet Franc | 94 | $106 |
| Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Bordeaux Blend Red | 93 | $124 |
| Podere Grattamacco Bolgheri Superiore, Bolgheri, Italy | Cabernet – Merlot – Sangiovese | 93 | $79 |
| Tenuta Argentiera ‘Argentiera’ Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Bordeaux Blend Red | 92 | $90 |
| Gaja Ca’Marcanda ‘Camarcanda’ Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy | Bordeaux Blend Red | 92 | $151 |
| Podere Grattamacco L’Alberello Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Bordeaux Blend Red | 92 | $59 |
| Fabio Motta ‘Le Gonnare’ Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany, Italy | Merlot | 93 | $44 |
If you’re looking for some other Tuscan white wine made from French grapes, check out this Pinot Grigio.
