Parrina is a coastal DOC of southern Tuscany, established in 1971 at an otherwise quiet time in the region's DOC development (Valdichiana was the only other Tuscan wine DOC created in the early 1970s). It has undergone at least five subsequent revisions since its creation, and it is something of a rarity for a DOC's laws to be revised this often (Sicily's Etna has been left dormant since its inaugural vintage of 1968).
The Parrina viticultural area is a north-western enclave within that of the Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario DOC, and exclusively covers land within the Orbetello commune. Orbetello is a tiny town located on a spit of land jutting out into the eponymous lagoon. Its vineyards lie just inland of the town, and run along the lagoon's eastern side to the north and south. The area is more famous for its windmill, isolated in the middle of the water, than for its wine, but that does not mean quality wines are not made here.
The Parrina title covers red, white and rose wines, blends and varietals, and in dry and sweet vin santo styles. The ever-present Tuscan favorites Sangiovese and Trebbiano are at the heart of the vineyards here, but a steadily broadening raft of other varieties are beginning to take their place. Vermentino, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon may all now be used as varietal wines under this title, and can figure as minority components in the blended rosso, rosato and bianco (red, rose and white) wines.
A Parrina Bianco wine is a blend of Ansonica (30–50%), Vermentino (20–40%) and Trebbiano Toscano (10–30%) with up to 20% Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc. The rosso and rosato are decidedly more true to their Tuscan roots, relying on a 70% base of Sangiovese.
The climate here is heavily moderated by the northern waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which not only lap against the gently convex coastline but also supply the lagoon with its brackish water.
