There is a common thread linking the sea of the Maremma, the freshness of Sangiovese and a new awareness of the ageing potential of Morellino di Scansano. This was the key message emerging from the third edition of “Morellino del Cuore”, the project born from the collaboration between the Consorzio Tutela Morellino di Scansano and journalists Roberta Perna and Antonio Stelli, with the aim of promoting one of Tuscany’s most distinctive appellations through an annual selection of wines chosen by industry experts.
Following the success of its first two editions, “Morellino del Cuore” returned in 2025, further consolidating a format focused not only on tasting, but also on building a contemporary narrative around Morellino di Scansano — a denomination increasingly recognized for its strong territorial identity and for the marine influence that shapes its style and personality.
On May 29, 2025, at the Consortium headquarters in Scansano, a jury composed of six leading Italian wine journalists blind-tasted 62 samples submitted by 30 member wineries. The panel included Elena Erlicher from Civiltà del Bere, Carlo Macchi from Winesurf, Luciano Pignataro, Alessandra Piubello of Decanter and other international publications, Leonardo Romanelli from Il Gusto di Repubblica and Identità Golose, and Maurizio Valeriani of Vinodabere.
The final selection led to the choice of the ten “Morellino del Cuore 2025” wines, divided into four categories: Annata, Superiore, Riserva and Vecchia Annata. The latter represented the most significant innovation of the 2025 edition — a category created to highlight wines capable of demonstrating remarkable ageing potential over time.
This was also emphasized by Alessio Durazzi, director of the Consortium, who pointed out that Morellino is often described only through its freshness and immediate drinkability.
“We wanted to emphasize the longevity of Morellino, which is an aspect not always sufficiently highlighted,” explained Alessio. “Yet we tasted wines over twenty years old that showed extraordinary elegance in the glass. This proves that Morellino, beyond its freshness and pleasantness, can also be a great wine for ageing.”
Further strengthening this new phase for the denomination was the recent approval of the updated production regulations, officially introducing the “Superiore” category, replacing what had previously been referred to as “Intermedio”.
“From now on this category finally has a precise identity and characteristics that make it recognizable commercially as well,” Durazzi added. “It is an important tool for producers and for the market positioning of Morellino.”
One of the most original aspects of the project remains the rotating composition of the tasting commission, alternating between specialized wine journalists and restaurant sommeliers in order to compare different approaches to wine evaluation.
“A journalist and a sommelier taste wine differently,” said Alessio Durazzi. “Sometimes different sensibilities emerge, while in other cases strong convergences develop around labels capable of convincing both worlds.”
It is precisely this coastal influence that sets Morellino apart from the other great Tuscan Sangiovese wines. Marine breezes and the strong temperature variation between day and night contribute to wines marked by freshness, sapidity and drinkability.
A stylistic signature so distinctive that it even inspired an international definition: “Sangiovese by the Sea”. Or, as summarized during the event itself, a true “Coastal Sangiovese”.
Over the coming months, the ten “Morellino del Cuore 2025” wines will take center stage in three dedicated events in Rome, Milan and Florence, open to both trade professionals and wine enthusiasts. These evenings are designed to deepen the understanding of the denomination through guided tastings, food pairings and direct interaction with producers, Consortium representatives and the project’s protagonists.
The value of the initiative was also underlined by Consortium president Bernardo Guicciardini Calamai.
“We are extremely satisfied with this third edition of Morellino del Cuore,” he stated. “The selected wines perfectly reflect the authenticity and unique characteristics of Morellino di Scansano. The growing participation of wineries demonstrates the strong desire to enhance the territory and collectively build the future of the denomination.”
Morellino di Scansano DOCG, officially recognized as a DOCG starting from the 2007 vintage, is produced throughout the municipality of Scansano and parts of Campagnatico, Grosseto, Magliano in Toscana, Manciano, Roccalbegna and Semproniano. The denomination covers around 1,500 hectares of vineyards, more than one third of which are certified organic, while the Consortium currently represents 220 member wineries.
