Cortona
コルトーナ
The premier destination for world-class Syrah in Tuscany.
Cortona is a prestigious wine-producing area located in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany. Historically known for its ancient Etruscan roots, the region gained international acclaim for its exceptional Syrah, which accounts for roughly 80% of plantings. The unique microclimate, characterized by well-drained hillside soils (clay, silt, and chalk) and optimal sun exposure, allows international varieties to thrive alongside traditional Italian grapes. Cortona DOC, established in 1999, has become synonymous with high-quality, structured red wines that offer a distinct Mediterranean expression, setting it apart from the Sangiovese-dominated regions of central Tuscany.
Best for: Ideal for enthusiasts of bold, spicy red wines and those exploring beyond traditional Tuscan Sangiovese.
No sub-regions registered yet.
Producers
ステファノ・アメリギ
Stefano Amerighi
Stefano Amerighi is a pioneering estate in Poggiobello di Farneta, in the Cortona appellation of southeastern Tuscany, dedicated exclusively to Syrah. Stefano began planting in 2002 after an in-depth geological survey identified southeast-facing hillsides of clay, silt and chalk ideally suited to the variety, and released his debut vintage in 2005. The estate is Demeter-certified biodynamic, with cultivation and pruning synchronized to lunar and planetary rhythms, minimal copper and sulfur use, and no chemical fertilizers. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in small concrete vats without added sulfur, pumps or temperature control, often using foot-pressed and whole-cluster fruit, with wines aged up to 44 months in cement and wood. Amerighi is widely regarded as the producer who put Cortona Syrah on the map and remains one of Tuscany's leading biodynamic estates.
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www.stefanoamerighi.it/テニメンティ・ルイジ・ダレッサンドロ
Tenimenti Luigi d'Alessandro
Founded in 1967 by the d'Alessandro family in the hills of Cortona, Tuscany, Tenimenti Luigi d'Alessandro pioneered Syrah viticulture in an area historically planted with Sangiovese, Malvasia, and Trebbiano. Working with Prof. Attilio Scienza of the University of Milan from 1988, the estate proved that the Rhône variety could thrive in Cortona's terroir, a breakthrough that helped the zone earn DOC status in 1999. Today the estate farms roughly 30 hectares in the Manzano valley, organically certified since 2016, producing Syrah and Viognier alongside a resort and restaurant on the property. Its flagship 'Il Bosco', named after the estate's oldest vineyard, is internationally recognized as a benchmark for Italian Syrah, praised by critics such as Wine Spectator and James Suckling for its structure, spice, and age-worthiness.
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www.tenimentidalessandro.it/
Food Pairings
Grilled lamb, game meats, aged pecorino cheese, hearty beef stews, and Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Cortona famous for Syrah?
- The region's hillside microclimate and clay-silt-chalk soils provide ideal conditions for Syrah to reach full ripeness and complexity, with the variety accounting for roughly 80% of plantings.
- Is Cortona only about red wines?
- While famous for red wines, the DOC also includes white wines, often made from Grechetto or Chardonnay.
- When did Cortona become a DOC?
- Cortona was certified as a DOC in 1999, formalizing its reputation as one of Italy's leading terroirs for Syrah.
- What does Cortona Syrah taste like?
- Deep red in color with aromas of plum, black cherry, black pepper, and vanilla, full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a spicy, structured finish.