Sensi backs Vermentino as Tuscany’s answer to sparkling wine
Tuscan producer Sensi 1890 has unveiled Mandriano Spumante Brut under the Maremma Toscana DOC, a 100% Vermentino sparkling wine designed to highlight the versatility of the region and its Mediterranean grape.
A Tuscan take on sparkling wine
Sensi 1890 has added a new sparkling wine to its range with the launch of Mandriano Vermentino Spumante Brut (Maremma Toscana DOC) – a wine the company says embodies its local identity and commitment to quality. As db reported, Maremma is making waves in the wine industry of late, with experts saying the Italian region is “a playground for creative winemakers wanting to break free of the constraints imposed by other appellations.”
“Mandriano Vermentino sparkling wine was born from the Sensi winery’s idea to create a Tuscan sparkling wine, therefore local, that every consumer could recognise and appreciate,” explained Sensi’s resident winemaker Francesco Balducci. “The Maremma Toscana DOC designation allows us to promote the region through a Tuscan sparkling wine and to use a versatile and regional grape variety such as Vermentino.”
Produced near the Tyrrhenian coast, the 2024 vintage (ABV 12%, RRP £18) reflects its maritime terroir through fresh, saline acidity and mineral lift, with aromas of apple, almond and Mediterranean herbs, and a citrus-driven finish. The unoaked wine is made entirely from Vermentino and designed as a versatile all-rounder, suitable for pairing with fish dishes, cured meats, risottos, white meats, baked vegetables and fresh cheeses.
Vermentino and the Maremma advantage
Balducci described Vermentino as a “Mediterranean grape variety par excellence,” one that “becomes intense, aromatic, and expressive when it reaches its characteristic golden colour.” He noted that the variety “is capable of maintaining freshness and complexity even in conditions of drought and high temperatures,” and that “it is showing great interest and adaptability to climate change.”
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The Maremma, he added, presents particular challenges and advantages for sparkling production: “It is an area characterised by intense light and heat, conditions that are not easy for growing sparkling wine grapes. However, thanks to the sandy soils, constant ventilation, and careful agronomic management, which ensures the vigour and health of the plants, it is possible to harvest grapes with an optimal balance of sugars and acids.”
Balducci said the team’s goal was to craft “a modern, fresh, and easy-to-drink sparkling wine, but at the same time with character and expressiveness, capable of recounting the Maremma through aromas of Mediterranean scrub, fresh fruit, and a marked minerality.”
Building on sparkling success
Sensi has steadily expanded its presence in the sparkling wine category, bolstered by the success of its 18K Prosecco line. “Over the years, Sensi has acquired an increasingly important role in the world of sparkling wines,” Balducci said. “Today we are proud to offer a Tuscan sparkling wine that best represents our identity. We strongly believe in this type of product, which we believe has an important future in international markets because it combines a region like Tuscany with a trendy product like sparkling wine.”
Founded in 1890 by Pietro Sensi, the family-owned winery has grown from a small Tuscan operation into an internationally recognised producer. Now managed by the fourth generation Massimo, and Roberta Sensi, the estate continues to invest in vineyard renewal, innovation and global expansion.
With Mandriano, Sensi aims to cement Tuscany’s place on the map of Italian fizz – offering what Balducci calls a “fresh, vertical, and versatile” expression of the region.
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