The term “Super Tuscan” has been used since the 1980s to describe a wine made from grapes indigenous to Tuscany, which may be blended with non-indigenous grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Syrah. There is no legal definition for the term “Super Tuscan” in Italian wine law, and these blends fit only under a lower wine classification within the law, because the higher classifications restrict which grapes can be used.

Bordeaux is the most famous wine-growing region in the world, with a reputation for producing wines that have been the benchmark for wine makers world wide. But did you know that the area used to be a marshy swamp? Vineyards were planted in small areas, but most of the land was unusable marsh or swamp land. Enter the Dutch!

Many wines that you are familiar with are blends including wines from Bordeaux and the Rhone valley. Wines labelled as Meritage, Cava and Port are blends. Champagne, Rioja and Priorat can be blends, too.

There’s no stork delivery for new wine grapes, so how is it that we have so many varieties?