Chianti Classico (Italy)
Chianti is Italy's most famous red wine.
Chianti Classico DOCG must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes.
Chianti Classico Flavors
Primary flavors are Sour Cherries and Wild Berries, with hints of Herbs, Flowers (Violets), Spices, Tea, and Minerals.
 Red Cherry |
 Strawberry |
 Raspberry |
 Cranberry |
Matured Sangiovese wines have flavors of Dark Berries, Black Cherry, Plum, and Tomato.
 Blackberry |
 Black Cherry |
 Plum |
 Tomato |
 Herbs |
 Violets |
 Spices |
 Tea Leaves |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging:
 Vanilla |
 Coffee |
 Cinnamon |
 Tobacco |
Chianti Classico Profile
Brunello di Montalcino is known to have good power, juicy fruits and soft tannins:
| BODY: | Medium Plus |
| TANNINS: | Medium |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | Medium Plus |
| ALCOHOL: | 15% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F) |
Chianti Classico Food Pairing
Chianti Classico pairs well with both Italian and International food.
It loves Rich Pasta Dishes, Tomato Sauces, Stews and Mushroom Sauces.
 Pasta |
 Risotto |
 Ham |
 Salumi |
 Pizza |
 Hamburger |
 Chicken |
 Turkey |
 Sausages |
 Rabbit |
 Pork |
 Wild Boar |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Game |
 Beef |
Excellent Pairings
Grilled Vegetables.
Cured Meat. Prosciutto. Salami.
Tomato Sauce. Meat Sauce.
Truffle Sauce. Mushroom Sauce.
Rich Pasta. Rich Risotto. Pasta Cabonara.
Pasta Arrabbiata. Pasta with Truffles.
Rich Pizza. Pizza Picante. Lasagna.
Poultry. Rich Chicken. Turkey. Rabbit.
Hamburger. Sausages. Veal.
Stew. Wild Boar Stew. Ox Tail Stew.
Pork (Herb Grilled).
Lamb. Lamb Chops with Rosemary).
Red Meat. Braises. Roast Beef. Game.
Tuscan Specialities
Ribollita (Hearthy Soup).
Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine Steak).
Risotto (with Meat or Mushroom Sauce).
Polenta with Black Truffle.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms.
The Ideal Glass for Chianti Classico
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The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
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Italian Wine Laws DOC(G)
Italian wine law and labels was introduced in 1963. They were designed to copy the French AOC/AC system.
Strict rules defines grape varieties, yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures, barrel and bottle maturation, and tasting procedures. Each bottle must have a numbered government seal.
The DOCG was created in 1980 in response to the criticisms that there were too many DOCs and their quality was variable.
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DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)
Regulates production areas, grape varieties, bottle and barrel aging, alcohol levels, and vinification techniques. -
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)
The highest classification. Same regulations as DOC. In addition, each DOCG-labeled wine must be bottled within the production area and pass a wine quality tasting panel.
About Chianti
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Chianti was once known as a thick bottle wrapped in a straw basket called "Fiasco". Today most producers use standard bottles. By law, wine labelled Chianti must come from the Chianti region between Firenze and Siena. Chianti was established as a DOC in 1967 and became a DOCG in 1984. Chianti Classico became a separate DOCG in 1996. Chianti DOCG must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classico DOCG must contain at least 80% Sangiovese. |
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Chianti DOCG Areas
- Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG
- Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG
- Chianti Colline Pisane DOCG
- Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
- Chianti Colli Montalbano DOCG
- Chianti Montespertoli DOCG
- Chianti Rufina DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Chianti Classico is a separate DOCG and not a subzone of any Chianti DOCG.
Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in the old "classic" part of Chianti.
Sangiovese DOC(G) Regions
The Sangiovese wines from Toscana (Tuscany) are world famous.
Montalcino, Toscana
Rosso di Montalcino DOC - 100% Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 100% Sangiovese
Montepulciano, Toscana
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC -Min 70% Sangiovese
Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Chianti, Toscana
Chianti DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Chianti Classico DOCG - Min 80% Sangiovese
Other Toscana Regions
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG - 90-100% Sangiovese
Suvereto Sangiovese DOCG - 85-100% Sangiovese
Morellino di Scansano DOCG - 85-100% Sangiovese
Carmignano DOCG - Min 50% Sangiovese
Emilia-Romagna
Sangiovese di Romagna DOC - 100% Sangiovese
Umbria
Montefalco DOC - 60-80% Sangiovese
Torgiano Riserva DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Body Summary
Medium Body: Chianti. Sangiovese di Romagna.
Medium to Full: Chianti Classico. Rosso di Montalcino. Rosso di Montepulciano. Morellino di Scansano. Montefalco.
Full Body: Brunello di Montalcino. Nobile di Montepulciano. Montecucco Sangiovese. Suvereto Sangiovese. Torgiano Riserva. Carmignano.
Wine Region Toscana
Toscana is famous for the majestetic city of Firenze
Ponte Vecchio in Firenze
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
65% Sangiovese |
6% Trebbiano |
Rosé Wines |
Sweet Wines |
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Soil
Soft and crumbly, marl-like clay-limestone and dense sandstone in the Apennine foothills.
Sandy clay around San Gimignano.
Gravelly clay and sandy soils in the Bolgheri and Maremma areas.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean with dry, hot summers; warm springs; and mild, rainy autumns and winters.
Variations in altitude, exposition, and diurnal temperatures in the foothills contribute to climatic conditions that help balance the sugar, acidity, and aromatics in the grapes.
Coastal areas like Bolgheri and Val di Cornia tend to be more temperate.