For decades, Tuscany has held a permanent place on UK wine lists. Yet while Chianti Classico, Brunello, and Super Tuscans continue to command attention, there is growing interest among buyers in lesser-known Tuscan subzones that offer comparable quality without inflated pricing. Chianti Aretino—nestled in the hills of Valdarno between Florence and Arezzo—is one such area, combining pedigree, terroir, and a refreshingly pragmatic market fit.

This is precisely where Cantine Cocoioni positions itself.

A Sangiovese the UK Already Loves—With Something More

Sangiovese remains one of the UK’s most trusted Italian varieties, prized for its acidity, versatility at the table, and stylistic familiarity. Yet Stefano Libero, founder of Cantine Cocoioni, identifies a clear gap in the market: authentic, estate-grown Tuscan Sangiovese that is traditionally made, meaningfully aged in oak, and still accessible at mid-market prices.

“Finding a genuine Tuscan Sangiovese, grown on the estate and aged properly in wood, at an average price point has become extremely difficult,” Libero explains. “That’s the opportunity we’re addressing.”

Cocoioni Muriccioli is 100% Sangiovese, entirely estate-grown in the Chianti Aretino hills, and produced in small batches. It is not designed to chase trends, but to deliver exactly what UK buyers value most: reliability, authenticity, and food-driven balance, without sacrificing depth or structure.

Terroir-Driven, Time-Led Winemaking

The Cocoioni estate sits on clay-rich hills with abundant galestro, exposed in an open arc between south and west. Combined with moderate rainfall and constant ventilation, the microclimate is particularly well-suited to Sangiovese, allowing for slow, even ripening and naturally balanced fruit.

In the cellar, the philosophy is deliberately hands-off. Fermentation takes place in glazed concrete tanks with around ten days of maceration, using frequent pump-overs, punch-downs, and délestage to enhance colour and aromatic extraction. This is followed by an extended post-fermentation maceration of at least five days on the skins, maximising structure and depth without excess heaviness.

Crucially, Cocoioni places a premium on time. Malolactic fermentation is allowed to occur naturally and can take up to 18 months under the estate’s microclimatic conditions. Only after this is complete is the wine transferred to French oak barriques or large casks, where it ages for a further 18 to 24 months. The result is a Sangiovese that feels resolved, layered, and confident—without being overworked.

“Our belief is that quality is time,” says Libero. “We don’t rush the wine. Each vintage should reflect what nature intended for that year.”

Boutique Quality, Commercially Intelligent Pricing

For UK buyers, Muriccioli’s strongest argument may be its positioning. Retail pricing comfortably sits in the £15–22 range, while on-trade listings naturally fall between £30 and £35. This places the wine squarely in the sweet spot where premium perception meets strong margins—a range that continues to perform well across modern Italian-focused restaurants and quality-led independents.

On a wine list, Muriccioli is ideally suited to the £25–40 bracket, where consumers expect character, story, and regional authenticity. It delivers a boutique-tier experience without the risk or resistance often associated with higher-priced Tuscan labels.

Equally important for distributors, Cantine Cocoioni’s focused portfolio simplifies the buying decision. Rather than navigating an overcrowded range, buyers gain a single, distinctive wine with a clear narrative and consistent quality—an increasingly valuable proposition in a crowded Italian category.

Aligned With How the UK Drinks Today

The UK consumer’s relationship with wine is evolving. “Drink less, drink better” is no longer a slogan but a purchasing reality, particularly in premium casual dining and independent retail. Muriccioli aligns neatly with this mindset: terroir-driven, artisan in approach, and rich in story without being obscure or intimidating.

Its food-pairing flexibility is another advantage. While deeply Tuscan at heart, Muriccioli performs just as confidently alongside global cuisine as it does with classic Italian dishes—an essential trait for contemporary UK menus.

A Legacy Reimagined for the Future

Cantine Cocoioni’s roots date back to the 1930s, when the family first acquired land on the hill of Cocoioni in Chianti Aretino. Wine and olive oil have been central to the estate ever since. In 2017, the family launched the modern Cocoioni brand project, replanting vineyards, upgrading the winery, and investing in professional agronomic and oenological expertise to elevate the estate into the small-winery excellence category.

Muriccioli, first bottled in 2021 from the 2018 harvest, represents both a culmination and a beginning—a wine grounded in continuity, yet confidently shaped for today’s market.

For UK buyers seeking Tuscan authenticity without Tuscan fatigue, Chianti Aretino—and Cantine Cocoioni in particular—offers a compelling, commercially astute answer.

Header image sourced from Cantine Cocoioni.