Tenuta di Sticciano Cantastorie Rosso

Tenuta di Sticciano Cantastorie Rosso is a bold, structured Toscana IGT red blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, bottled at approximately 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned a Gold medal at the 2024 Mundus Vini Spring Tasting, confirming its standing among well-regarded Tuscan reds at its tier.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13.5%  |  Origin: Tuscany, Italy (Toscana IGT)  |  Style: Bold Red Blend  |  Producer: Tenuta di Sticciano

Production & Heritage

Tenuta di Sticciano operates under sustainable and organic agricultural practices in Tuscany's rolling countryside. The Cantastorie Rosso — whose name translates roughly to "Storyteller" — is produced using modern winemaking systems that allow for very low doses of sulfites. The estate employs a hands-on approach to quality control, conducting wine tastings every ten days during maturation to carefully monitor status and evolution. This attentive regimen, combined with the classic Tuscan pairing of Sangiovese's acidity and Cabernet Sauvignon's tannic backbone, yields a wine that is both fruit-forward and firmly structured.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark cherry and ripe plum lead the nose, followed by hints of dried herbs and a subtle earthiness characteristic of Sangiovese-dominant Tuscan blends. With air, gentle notes of spice and violet emerge.

Taste: The entry is rounded, with juicy red and black fruit — cherry, blackcurrant — giving way to a mid-palate marked by savory dried herb and leather nuances. Cabernet Sauvignon asserts itself through firm but polished tannins that provide structural depth without harshness.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering notes of dark fruit, tobacco leaf, and a clean mineral edge. The low-sulfite approach preserves a sense of freshness that carries through to the very end.

How to Drink Cantastorie Rosso

This wine shows best at cellar temperature (60–65°F / 16–18°C), with 20–30 minutes of breathing time in the glass or a brief decant to open up its aromatic layers. It pairs naturally with food and is an excellent table wine. A classic Negroni Sbagliato substitutes sparkling wine for gin — Cantastorie Rosso's bold fruit can stand in similarly as a still red alongside Italian aperitivo bites. It also makes a compelling base for a red wine Sangria, where its dark fruit and herbal notes mingle well with citrus and seasonal fruit. For a simple warm-weather serve, try it slightly chilled in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where its tannic grip balances the sweetness.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners built around pasta, red sauce, or grilled sausages
• Introducing organic and low-sulfite wines to curious friends
• Gifting to someone who appreciates Tuscan reds without the Super Tuscan price tag
• Building a diverse Italian wine collection beyond Chianti Classico

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cantastorie Rosso taste like? It delivers bold dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit layered with savory dried herb and leather notes, supported by firm tannins and a fresh, mineral-tinged finish.

How does Cantastorie Rosso compare to Banfi Centine Rosso? Both are Toscana IGT blends built on Sangiovese with international grape support, but Cantastorie Rosso distinguishes itself through certified organic and sustainable farming and a very low-sulfite winemaking philosophy, while Banfi Centine is produced at a significantly larger scale. Cantastorie Rosso's 2019 vintage also carries a Mundus Vini Gold medal, giving it a notable competition credential at its price tier.

Is Cantastorie Rosso good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balance of ripe fruit, structured tannins, and fresh acidity make it rewarding to drink neat, especially after a brief decant to let the aromatics fully develop.

Where is Cantastorie Rosso made? It is produced by Tenuta di Sticciano in Tuscany, Italy, and carries the Toscana IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) designation, which allows for the blending of Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon outside the stricter DOCG regulations.

What foods pair well with Cantastorie Rosso? Grilled lamb chops work well against the wine's tannic structure. Pappardelle with wild boar ragù mirrors its earthy Tuscan character. Aged Pecorino cheese echoes its savory, herbal qualities. Eggplant Parmigiana bridges the acidity and fruit, and simple wood-fired pizza Margherita is a natural, crowd-pleasing match.

What sizes does Cantastorie Rosso come in? It is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Cantastorie Rosso worth the price? Cantastorie Rosso positions as a mid-range Toscana IGT that punches above its weight, combining organic viticulture, low-sulfite production, and a Mundus Vini Gold medal — credentials that are uncommon at its value tier and represent strong quality for the investment.

Why Cantastorie Rosso?

The Gold medal at the internationally recognized 2024 Mundus Vini competition validates what the wine delivers in the glass: a serious, well-structured Tuscan red built from sustainably farmed Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tenuta di Sticciano's commitment to organic agriculture and extremely low sulfite levels sets this bottling apart from the crowded field of Toscana IGT blends, many of which rely on more conventional, higher-intervention methods. The estate's practice of tasting the wine every ten days during its development reflects a hands-on, artisanal philosophy that translates into a polished, expressive final product. For drinkers seeking authentic Tuscan character with a modern, health-conscious production ethos, Cantastorie Rosso fills a gap that few wines at this level address.