Morellino di Scansano Introduces the Official Superiore Category

A new designation to strengthen the identity of coastal Sangiovese

The Consorzio Morellino di Scansano has taken a significant step forward in the evolution of the Morellino di Scansano DOCG denomination. The Superiore mention has now been officially published in the Italian Official Gazette, making the amendments to the production regulations approved in 2025 fully effective. The announcement was made in Firenze on 23 February 2026 during Chianti Lovers & Rosso Morellino (find our report in the next Vertdevin issue), the annual preview event dedicated to new vintages, attended by international press, trade professionals and buyers. In this strategic setting, where thirteen wineries presented twenty-two labels for tasting, Consortium President Bernardo Guicciardini Calamai highlighted the importance of the milestone. The official recognition strengthens an ongoing process of qualitative enhancement, based on greater selection and clearer territorial identity. The objective is to reinforce the positioning of coastal Sangiovese on international markets, offering consistency, value and recognisability.

A more demanding technical framework

The new Superiore category requires a minimum of 85% Sangiovese, with up to 15% other non-aromatic black grape varieties permitted. Maximum yields are lower than those of the Annata version, and the ageing period is extended. Release for sale is set at no earlier than 1 January of the second year following harvest, a timeline designed to promote greater structure and expressive complexity while preserving the hallmark freshness and balance of Morellino di Scansano.

Giving a name to an existing reality

According to the Consortium, Superiore does not represent a new wine style, but rather the formal recognition of an existing typology. Many member estates have long produced a wine positioned between Annata and Riserva, without a clearly defined regulatory identity. The introduction of Superiore now provides clarity and formal recognition to this intermediate qualitative tier.