Brancaia TRE Toscana – a big wine on a budget

Wine of the Week: 2016 Brancaia TRE Toscana IGT, Tuscany

Brancaia is an acclaimed Italian wine estate led by the philosophy: Resist the Usual. What does this mean? It refers to the winery’s determination to stick to the highest standards. And in the case of this week’s Wine of the Week, it also means offering incredible value. (The 2016 Brancaia TRE is a Super Tuscan retails at less than $20.)

About Brancaia

This Tuscan winery was founded by Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer more than 30 years ago. Rooted in the bold Super Tuscan movement that forever changed Italy’s winemaking culture, the wines of Brancaia blend classic local grapes like Sangiovese with Bordeaux varieties. It brings a decidedly modern touch to a centuries-old wine region.

Today, the Widmers’ daughter, winemaker Barbara Widmer, Brancaia continues its commitment to reflecting the terroir of their estate, producing elegant, complex wines with a strong Tuscan identity. Under Barbara’s guidance, the wines have evolved and are consistently highly-rated from the base “TRE” to the allocated Super Tuscan “BLU.”

Do you know what else Tuscany is known for? Truffles!

My review of the 2016 Brancaia TRE

The Brancaia TRE is an entry-level wine for the winery and a steal at about $14. (Suggested retail is $17 but I found it at Total Wine & More for under $14.) And despite the budget wine price tag, this wine is made with the same care and attention to balance and structure for which Brancaia’s pricier wines are known.

TRE is your perfect everyday drinking wine and could not be a better partner for burgers or bbq. A baby Super Tuscan blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this ruby-red blend has fruit notes of black cherry, wild blackberry and ripe raspberry and hints of freshly turned earth, cocoa and anise.

A nice finish with light tannins means this is a wine, with already a few years of age, is perfect to drink now and for the next few years.

Want more wine recommendations to try right now? Check out all of the Wine of the Week reviews. 

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Barbara Barrielle

Barbara Barrielle is a freelance food, wine and travel writer and guidebook author living in the heart of the California Wine Country. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Palate Press and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. She has contributed to publications including Fodor's Travel, Napa Valley Register, Wine Industry Advisor and AARP. Barbara is also the producer of the California wine country documentary CRUSHED. Follow her on Instagram, @barbarabarrielletravels.

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