A Beginners Guide To Understanding The Wines Of Chianti

Chianti is one of the most captivating areas of Italy. Rich landscapes embrace classical architecture, castles, villas and rustic farmhouses, while endless rolling hills stretch far into the distance in every direction. However, wine is what the region is undoubtedly known for best. Tuscany wine tours are easy to come by and if you want to taste the local vintages, you really should embark on one (or more).  

However, not everybody is a seasoned sommelier and, to many people, Chianti might just be a name that has some connection with the red vintage; that’s absolutely fine but, if you want to know more, the best Tuscany wine tours will give you a thorough history and explanation of what makes this bottle special. Below is a good introduction to this particular Italian red that will help your experience in the region be all the more fulfilling.

The Area

The region of production surrounds Siena, Florence, Pisa and Arezzo. With such amazing local history, the grape and wine production that has come out of it was always going to be special. There are 7000 hectares of vineyards in the area and the hills are what make that image you probably have in your head all the more dramatic. It’s the ultimate vino country with many microclimates perfect for grape production.

The History

The history of wine making here goes back a long, long time, with the Etruscans discovering that the region was ripe for growing grapes. Since then, like much of Italy, the Renaissance saw the industry boom and production never really slowed down. A bottle with Roman heritage, this is a drink worth experiencing in great detail.

The Wine

The main grape of Chianti is sangiovese and this red grape is one that is native to Italy. The best Tuscany wine tours will show you just how difficult that grape can be to work with, but will explain all its virtues too.With Chianti and Chianti Classico to choose from, you will be regaled with several different vintages; the latter is a fuller and richer bottle which is why it’s famed the world over!

The Rules

The Chianti Denominazione e Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) is a set of strict rules that ensure quality and methods are adhered to. The area is made up of two sections: the Chianti DOCG and the Chianti Classico DOCG, the former being a much larger region with less stringent restrictions. The latter is the classic region where batches have to be aged for a year before they are allowed to be sold. 

Get Going

To make your experience of Chianti (the place and the drink) a real standout holiday you deserve to sample the best! Tuscany wine tours are all that more enjoyable when undertaken with a reputable travel company, who can offer expert guidance and make sure you get your money’s worth.

Few places capture the essence of Italian vino quite like this one, and the best Tuscany wine tours will leave even those with little to no experience of vineyards thirsty for more! It’s a great place to visit for a number of reasons, and it’s waiting for you to discover them.

Author Plate

Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering some of the best Tuscany wine tours. Wherever and whatever you want to explore Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.