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09 Sep 2024

September 6th is International Chianti Day

Wines

When discussing Italian wine, one cannot overlook the Chianti region, nestled in the heart of Tuscany, which has been producing some of Italy’s most famous wines for centuries.

Chianti is one of Italy’s oldest wine-producing regions. Its reputation as a grape-growing area began to spread as early as the Middle Ages. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici, officially established the boundaries of the Chianti wine production area, laying the foundation for the Chianti we know today.

The diverse microclimate and soil of the Chianti region give its wines remarkable expression. The combination of warm days and cool nights allows the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in balanced acidity and rich flavors.

Chianti wines are further classified by their subzones. For instance, Chianti Classico (recognized by the black rooster emblem on the bottle’s neck), which is considered the historic heart of Chianti, also includes smaller designated areas such as Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Senesi. These wines are thought to express their terroir even more distinctively (the Chianti DOCG includes a total of seven subregions).

Chianti wines are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape, which tends to perform best under the Tuscan sun. Since 1996, the regulations for the broadest Chianti designation require at least 70% Sangiovese, with a maximum of 10% white grapes, such as Malvasia and Trebbiano. Local red varieties like Canaiolo Nero and Colorino, as well as international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, are also permitted. These can add fruitiness, tannins, or softness to the final blend, depending on what is needed. However, the most outstanding wines are often predominantly made from Sangiovese.

Chianti wines come in a variety of styles, ranging from young and vibrant to more substantial and profound expressions. While “Chianti” typically refers to a youthful and fresh style, “Chianti Riserva” and the more recently introduced “Gran Selezione” indicate wines that have been aged longer, promising more structure and depth.

Enjoy!

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