Scansano
Scansano: A journey to discover the Italian Commune and its famous wine
Hello everyone! Do you want to know more about Scansano, a delightful commune in the province of Grosseto in Tuscany? Well, then you are in the right place! Scansano is a commune of about 4,248 inhabitants famous worldwide for its Morellino di Scansano, a red wine with an intense and deep flavor. But Scansano is not just about wine, there are many interesting aspects to discover in this beautiful area.
Physical geography
The communal territory of Scansano extends over an area of over 270 km² northwest of the Albegna and Fiora hills. The municipality borders Campagnatico to the north, Roccalbegna to the northeast, Manciano to the southeast, Magliano in Tuscany to the southwest, and Grosseto to the northwest. The territory is mainly hilly and reaches a minimum altitude of 156 meters above sea level in Baccinello and a maximum altitude of 651 meters above sea level in Poggi Alti, where there is a wind farm. Fortunately, it is located in zone 3 with low seismic activity, so earthquakes are rare. In the center of the municipality, there are about 2216 degree-days, so the heating system can be turned on for a maximum of 14 hours a day from October 15th to April 15th.
Climate
The climate in Scansano is quite warm, dry and sunny. According to the average data for the last 30 years, the average annual temperature varies from +13.0 °C in Scansano to +14.7 °C in Pomonte. Average annual rainfall is almost everywhere higher than 800 mm, but obviously varies according to altitude. Montorgiali, for example, has an average of 869 mm of rainfall per year, while Scansano has an average of 1,004 mm and Pomonte has an average of 849 mm. So, as you can imagine, the hills significantly influence the distribution of rainfall.
History
The history of Scansano has very ancient roots. In fact, there are documents that testify to settlements of the Etruscan Civilization and the Roman Civilization such as Ghiaccio Forte, Aia Nova and Scrina di Porco. The medieval center, on the other hand, was first mentioned in 918 with the introduction of "Curtis Mustia", which corresponds to the fraction of Murci.
The Morellino di Scansano
Now we come to the tastiest part of the journey: the Morellino di Scansano! The Morellino di Scansano is a red DOCG wine produced in the area of the municipality since 1978. It is made mainly with Sangiovese grapes and can be considered one of the best wines in Italy. Every year in Scansano, there is the festival of Morellino, where local wine producers present their best Morellinos to locals and tourists. It is a unique experience to try the wine from the production area, and there are also stands to taste typical local dishes, such as migliacciata, bistecca fiorentina, and pecorino.
Territory overview
Scansano is a territory rich in natural and cultural beauties. There are so many things to see and do in the area, such as visiting the Tower of Perolla, a medieval tower that served as an outpost during the war between Siena and Florence, or the Uccellina natural park, a WWF nature reserve that offers spectacular trails. Moreover, if you love architecture, you can visit the Collegiata dei Santi Pietro e Paolo in Scansano, a beautiful church from the 13th century.
What to eat
In addition to the Morellino di Scansano, Scansano offers many typical dishes of Tuscan cuisine. For example, Migliacciata, a chestnut flour focaccia with the addition of vegetables, cheese and sausage, or Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a delicious first-quality beef steak. There are also various fish dishes, such as Ricci di mare with pasta, which are very popular in the area. Also, don't forget to try the famous pecorino, a typical cheese from the area.
Conclusions
In short, Scansano is a magical place that deserves to be visited. The Morellino di Scansano is an exceptional wine, but there is much more to discover in this splendid area full of history and traditions. I recommend taking a few days to travel to discover Scansano and its beauties. Make sure to have comfortable clothes, suitable shoes and, above all, a curious palate!
