April 27, 2026 (Italy) — The Maremma Toscana DOC unveils the Top Ten 2026 of the seventh edition of the Vermentino Grand Prix, the competition promoted by the Consorzio Tutela Vini della Maremma Toscana to highlight one of the territory’s most distinctive grape varieties. The selection, which saw the participation of 71 wines—including 17 Vermentino Superiore (12 from the 2024 vintage, 4 from 2023, and one from 2022), with 30% organic—was carried out in Castiglione della Pescaia on March 30 by an expert jury composed of sommeliers from Michelin-starred restaurants, oenologists, and industry technicians.
The Top Ten 2026 includes, in alphabetical order by winery: Belguardo Mazzei – Vermentino Superiore 2022 “Belguardo V”, Bruni – Vermentino 2024 “Perlaia”, Colli del Vento – Vermentino 2024 “Frieda”, La Biagiola – Vermentino 2022 “Cocciopesto”, Fattoria Il Casalone – Vermentino 2024 “Leopoldino”, Guido F. Fendi – Vermentino 2022 “Burattini”, Mantellassi – Vermentino 2024 “Scalandrino”, Podere Poggio Bestiale – Vermentino Superiore 2024 “PerLelo”, Rocca delle Macie – Vermentino 2024 “Vigna L’Aja Bruciata”, Tenuta Casteani – Vermentino Superiore 2024 “Maremmano”.
As in previous editions, the wines—all Maremma Toscana DOC Vermentino—had a minimum presence of 85% of the grape variety, mostly produced as single-varietal wines and only in a few cases blended with other varieties such as Viognier, Sauvignon, or Trebbiano. The competition confirms the central role of Vermentino within the denomination, which now represents about 32% of DOC production, with over 2.4 million bottles.
“The Vermentino Grand Prix represents a fundamental moment of comparison and growth for the entire denomination,” says Francesco Mazzei, President of the Consortium. “Year after year we record an increasingly high level of quality and greater awareness among producers. Vermentino continues to be our most dynamic ambassador, capable of authentically expressing the different facets of Maremma.”
Luca Pollini, Director of the Consortium, adds: “This edition of the Grand Prix confirms the extraordinary versatility of Maremma Toscana Vermentino. From more structured and age-worthy versions to younger and fresher wines, a strong and recognizable identity emerges, strengthening the denomination’s positioning on international markets.”
In a regional context of decline (-2.4% bottled Tuscan wine in 2025 – source AVITO), Maremma Toscana DOC goes against the trend, recording a stable performance with +0.5%, confirming a now well-established positive trajectory. The comparison with the pre-Covid period is even more significant: +22.3% from 2019 to 2025, the best result among Tuscan denominations. Production now stands at nearly 7.5 million bottles, with Vermentino as the absolute leader. White wines account for over 43% of bottled production, while Ciliegiolo, with more than 530,000 bottles, consolidates its position as the third category after Vermentino and Rosso. Ansonica, a niche category, is also growing, exceeding 100,000 bottles.
