Morellino di Scansano DOCG is an
Italian red wine made in the hilly environs of the village of
Scansano,
GR, in the
Maremma region of coastal
Tuscany, which has an ancient but obscure tradition of winemaking. Morellino is the local name for the
Sangiovese grape
variety. Many people think that the name
Morellino comes from
morello (brown), the colour of the region's horses. The name may also come from the
morello cherry, a dark red cherry with great tartness and acidity. The wine, which was granted
DOC status in 1978, then upgraded to DOCG status beginning with the 2007 vintage, is made from at least 85% Sangiovese, which is also the basis of the Tuscan wines
Chianti,
Brunello di Montalcino, and
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The remaining 15 an comprise any non-aromatic black grape varieties included in a list made and periodically updated by Tuscan wine authorities.