Learn About Chianti: Grapes, Wine, Region, and Pairings

Chianti is a medium-bodied, highly acidic, tartly-juicy ruby red wine with flavors of cherry and earth, produced primarily with Sangiovese grapes in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. Chianti features a high level of tannin, which contributes to its dry flavor. It has a floral scent and is deeply savory.

As with Bordeaux, Champagne, and many historic wines dating from pre-twentieth century Western and Southern Europe, Chianti’s name derives from its place of origin, rather than from its primary grape.

Chianti is a hilly region in Tuscany in Central Italy, near Florence. It’s also the home of olive oil and Michelangelo’s world-famous David painting, a region synonymous with quality, class, and Renaissance-era culture. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most popular tourist locations in Italy.

Chianti has maintained much of its distinctive Italian character. It looks nearly as it did a century ago, with rolling hills cultivating vineyards stretching along the horizon.

The Chianti region is a vast area divided into seven sub-zones, each one producing its own Chianti wine with a distinctive name and label.

1. 1. Chianti Montalbano – west of Florence
2. 2. Chianti Rufina – east of Florence
3. 3. Chianti Colli Fiorentini – south of Florence
4. 4. Chianti Colli Aretini – southeast of Florence
5. 5. Chianti Colli Senesi – an area that includes Montepulciano and Montalcino
6. 6. Chianti Montespertoli – southwest of Florence
7. 7. Chianti Colli Pisane – the westernmost Chianti zone

The primary grape used to make Chianti is the Sangiovese grape. Most Chiantis are 100% Sangiovese, but some winemakers in the region enjoy innovating and defying expectations by blending the traditional local grape with the following:

• Cabernet, a thick, hearty grape that grows well around the world.
• Syrah, a rich, dark-skinned grape that originated in France.
• Merlot, a blue-tinged grape that works well in blends and on its own.
• Trebbiano, a widely-cultivated Italian white grape that yields a lighter-bodied Chianti.
  

When shopping for Chianti, you may encounter several different classifications. There are multiple types of Chianti, each with its own characteristics and requirements for region of origin, grape varieties, and aging. The most common Chianti types are:

1. 1. Standard Chianti. Made of a blend of at least 70% Sangiovese grapes and aged 3 months or more.
2. 2. Chianti Classico. A premium Chianti from the Classico region made with at least 80% Sangiovese grapes and aged for at least 10 months. The bottle features a famous black rooster seal.
3. 3. Chianti Riserva. Aged beyond standard Chianti—38 months—and features softened tannins.
4. 4. Chianti Superiore (Gran Selezione). A type of Chianti made using grapes from outside the Classico region and aged for at least 9 months.

One of the most celebrated Chianti varieties, Chianti Classico is considered a more refined option than standard Chianti. It is produced in small quantities with the finest grapes on the oldest, best estates in the tiny, warm-climate Chianti Classico region, which runs from Florence to Siena and is completely distinct from the other seven sub-regions.

• Blend. Its blend is 80% Sangiovese—the thin-skinned red grape typical of this area—and 20% other grapes, such as cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Other Chiantis besides Classico may contain up to 30% other grapes, which can overwhelm the Sangiovese grapes with their powerful flavor. Since 2006, white grape varieties are banned in the production of Chianti Classico.
• Aromas. A top-quality Chianti Classico is characterized by the aromas and textures nurtured by its impressive Sangiovese grapes.
• Region. In addition to denoting a type of wine, Chianti Classico is a subregion within Chianti, often considered the heart of Chianti. It covers around 17,000 acres of vineyards between Florence and Siena.

All wines labeled as Chianti (including Classico, Riserva, and Superiore varieties) are classified as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines. DOCG is the top Italian wine classification, a seal of approval that signifies the highest quality and strict production methods. Strict DOCG rules mandate the regional origin, grape varieties, ripeness, winemaking processes, and aging requirements of Chianti.

Super Tuscans aren‘t technically a classification, but they denote a high-quality Tuscany Chianti wine that doesn’t fit into one of the other classifications because they departed from traditional standards. If, for example, a wine uses foreign grapes, it wouldn’t be eligible for a DOC symbol. But these wines still proved super popular, sometimes outselling traditional Chiantis.

Chianti wines are characterized by a strong, fruity flavor, often associated with cherries or violets. When describing the flavor of Chianti, wine critics and sommeliers frequently make comparisons to:

• Red fruits
• Balsamic vinegar
• Bitter herbs
• Smoke
• Game

Organize your own horizontal tasting to get to know certain grapes or understand the effects of a certain vintage. Try, for instance, three or four Chiantis from the same vintage but different producers side by side and compare their similarities and differences. Ask your friends to each bring a bottle of Chianti or a specific vintage and type of wine: this will guarantee that you get a variety of wines without having to make the trip to many different wine shops!

As you might expect from a wine associated with the finest Italian traditions, Chianti is often enjoyed best with Italian food. But because it is a particularly dry wine with high acidity and tannin levels, Chianti pairs well with a variety of flavors and textures, and can shine through nearly any dish for a pleasant food pairing experience.

Popular Chianti pairings inside and outside Italy include:

• Tomato-based pasta sauces
• Salami
• Pizza
• Porterhouse steak
• Wild boar

The best (and most fun) way to get to know about Chianti is to drink it! The wide range of Chiantis offers a solid education in subtle taste differences for discerning consumers. Sampling different brands and identifying the distinctions between them will provide the drinker with an exquisite experience and a comprehensive understanding of Chianti at the same time.

While there are many excellent labels, the best Chianti brands include:

Chianti Classicos:

• Rocca delle Macìe
• Tenuta Santa Alfonso
• Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva
• Riserva di Fizzano

Other Chianti:

• Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina
• Cecchi Chianti
• Bolla Chianti
• Spalletti Chianti

Learn more about wine appreciation in James Suckling’s MasterClass.