Enology

Tuscan bubbles? Now even the home of red wines is betting on sparkling IGT wines

The specifications for IGT Toscana (91 million bottles produced and 1,700 winegrowers) to produce bubbles by the classic or charmat method have been modified. The change follows the evolution of consumption

by Giorgio dell'Orefice

19 March 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Waiting for Brussels' OK
Whites or rosés classic or charmat method
The diversification strategy
Cecchi: change responds to changing consumption styles
A request from manufacturers

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Tuscany the land of choice for sparkling wines? Certainly for one of the regions specialised in red wines, it remains a distant prospect even if some things are really changing.

The National Wine Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty has given the go-ahead for the amendments to the production regulations for Toscana IGT wine, which envisage the introduction of the sparkling wine category. A step - initiated with approval by the Tuscan Regional Council in December 2024 - that the Tuscan Wine Consortium bluntly defines as "historic" and that "marks a significant evolution of the geographical indication".

Waiting for the OK from Brussels

Now the dossier will have to pass the final examination of the European Commission and, therefore, it will be necessary to wait until at least the end of 2026 for the application of the new regulations.
This is not the only novelty. In the package of proposals there is also the exclusive use on the label of the term 'Toscana' to qualify the IGT mark where in the past the word 'Toscano' could also be used.

Whites or rosés classic or charmat method

But the novelty with the greatest impact is certainly that which concerns the sparkling wine category and which opens up new production prospects for the regional wine sector. The new regulations institutionalise the production of sparkling wines within a large denomination, whereas until now sparkling wines in Tuscany have been produced mainly on the initiative of individual companies and certainly represent a residual slice of wine production. With the new specifications, however, it will be possible to produce classic method or Charmat sparkling wines, both white and rosé.

The diversification strategy

That Tuscany is somewhat rethinking its wine offering once centred almost exclusively on red wines is, on the other hand, a process that has been underway for some time now. Just think of the strong strengthening on the Tuscan coast of Vermentino, which has over time rebalanced the production of Sangiovese. Now this new step to strengthen sparkling wines as well.

Antinori, negli Usa i consumi di vino ripartiranno

Cecchi: evolution of consumption styles

"Everything is ready to tackle the final step, that of approval by the European Commission," commented the president of the Tuscan Wine Consortium, Cesare Cecchi. The changes introduced respond to the evolution of consumption styles and the needs of the market. The introduction of the sparkling wine category represents an important development opportunity for Tuscan wineries. No less important is the possibility of using only the geographical name 'Toscana IGT' on the label, eliminating 'Toscano', which aims to reinforce the identity of the wine and is characterised as a true quality brand, capable of enhancing the excellence of regional production'.

The Typical Geographical Indication 'Toscana' now includes several types of wine: White, Rosé, Red both still and sparkling. There are also types from dried grapes (Passito) and from overripe grapes (Vendemmia Tardiva). To these are now added two new types of sparkling wine.

A request from manufacturers

"The introduction of the two types of sparkling wine," explains the Consortium's director, Stefano Campatelli -"was born from the request of many Tuscan producers who have long been engaged in this type of production and represents a concrete development opportunity for the sector, which, while remaining anchored to tradition, is opening up to new perspectives in line with a market that is increasingly oriented towards quality and product diversification.

The producers of IGT Toscana in the last five years have produced an average of 91 million bottles. The total value of production exceeds 458 million euros: 31% (28.2 million bottles) is destined for the Italia market, while the remaining 69% (62.8 million bottles) is exported.
Europe is the main market (46% of exports), followed by the United States (33%) and Asia (6%). The Consorzio Vino Toscana, which in 2019 had about 70 members, now has 450. The number of winegrowers, including those associated with cooperatives, exceeds 1,700.

Giorgio dell’OreficeVicecaposervizio
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Luogo: Roma
Lingue parlate: italiano, inglese
Argomenti: agricoltura, agroalimentare, made in Italy, vitinicoltura, olio
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