Chianti Wine Region

Chianti Map

Chianti Wine Region stretches among the historical cities of Florence, Siena, and Pisa in the region of Tuscany. So, the chianti map is stretched between these cities.

Chianti map is consists of different appellations: Chianti Classico, Chianti Rufina, Chianti Montalbano, Chianti Montespertoli, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi and Colline Pisane. All appellations are located within the area of the Colline del Chianti (Chianti Hills), that extend through the provinces of Florence, Siena and Arezzo for just a tiny portion. 

Get to Know the Chianti Wine Region

One of Chianti’s most salient features is its diverse terroir and the wide range of varieties of Chianti wine that can be produced. You will never taste two identical Chiantis - the soil and different climatic conditions of the sub-zones make it possible to have a very clear distinction between the wine varieties.

The entire Chianti wine region presents a flourishing and fertile terroir that makes it possible for winemakers across all appellations to grow perfect Sangiovese grapes for their wine. Chianti has a calcareous soil mostly made of clay, chalk, and marl, making it possible for the roots of the vine to grow a strong and deep underground network. 

In Chianti Classico, the conditions of the terroir and the soil type are slightly different compared to the rest of the region. In the northern part, the soil is more fertile and rich with galestro, while in the southern part of the appellation, the soil is stonier, due to the presence of albarese. 

Interested in customizing your wine vacation in Chianti? Simply send us your preferences here, and our team of experts will tailor the perfect itinerary for you.

All you Need to Know About Chianti Wine

How to pronounce Chianti?

[kee-an-tee] 

Chianti is a red blend, but the grape that makes Chianti truly sensational and unique is Sangiovese, a versatile grape that expresses different characteristics depending on the terroir that it is grown in. Sangiovese gives Chianti its characteristic ruby color and tartness. The other Chianti blending grapes are Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino, and sometimes even Merlot or Syrah. 

Chianti vs Chianti Classico

When we talk about ‘Chianti wine’, we normally refer to the Chianti Classico variety, the most prestigious among the wines produced in all the appellations of the Chianti wine region. However, all Chianti wines present common characteristics when it comes to structuring and tasting notes. What’s really great about all the varieties of Chianti is that this is a fresh, rounded, and mid-bodied red wine that is very easy to pair with food. Policy documents regarding the production state that for a wine to be classified as Chianti Classico, Sangiovese needs to constitute at least 80% of the blend. 

Chianti Grapes

The primary grape variety used in the production of Chianti wines is Sangiovese. According to DOCG rules, there must be at least 70% of Sangiovese in Chianti grapes. The percentage rises to a minimum of 80% for Chianti Classico wines. Other Chianti grapes allowed in the blend are less known Tuscan grapes - Canaiolo, Colorino, Ciliegiolo, and Mammolo. Some international Chianti grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are to be used in blend up to 15%.

What does Chianti taste like?

The primary aromas of Chianti wines are those of red fruits, sour cherries, smoke, herbs, and spices like pepper. Chianti taste can be recognized in a glass of Chianti with leather, balsamic vinegar, black fruits, and espresso. The prevalence of some of these aromas over others depends on the terroir where the Chianti is grown, the choice of blending grapes, and the winemaking style of the winemaker, including the length and type of oak aging. Generally, chianti taste is soft and aromatic.

Where to Stay in Chianti?

Certosa di Pontignano Residenza d'Epoca is offering accommodation in Ponte A Bozzone, 10km from Siena. The property has a bar and a restaurant serving Italian cuisine.

Situated in Castellina in Chianti B&B Villa Godenano - Country Chianti Villa features accommodation with pool with a view, a garden and a tennis court. This recently renovated country house is located 21 km from Piazza del Campo and 44 km from Pitti Palace.

Featuring an outdoor swimming pool and a garden, Tenuta Di Sticciano offers rooms a 15-minute drive from Certaldo. The property produces wines and olive oil.

This family-owned property is surrounded by vineyards and olive trees and stands in a superb panoramic position. They produce their own olive oil and Chianti wine. Immersed in a charming garden with lively flowers, the establishment offers spacious rooms, tastefully furnished and characterized by unique details and peculiar colour schemes.

The Best Chianti Wine Food Pairing

Chianti is like a black dress, it goes perfectly with pretty much everything. It goes especially well with red meat and game. If you really want to bring the taste of Tuscany to your table or have a full Tuscan culinary experience when you are visiting, these are the dishes you need to try with Chianti: 

The Queen - Bistecca alla Fiorentina

The first dish for the best Chianti wine-food pairing is Fiorentina, which is one of the most famous dishes of Tuscan cuisine and it consists of a high cut of heifer or veal. It is always served together with the bone and the classic cooking degree is ‘al sangue’, meaning ‘with blood’.

Fiorentina and Chianti Classico share the same area of production, so paired together, they represent the Florence-side of Chianti to its fullest. The aromas of red fruits, the light aroma of vinegar and the characteristic freshness of Chianti are the best combination to glorify the taste of Fiorentina. 

Finocchiona IGP charcuterie

Finocchiona is a very tasty and salty salami from Florence. Its name comes from the fennel, which is part of the salami dough and gives the Finocchiona its characteristic and unmistakable taste.

There is no better way to experience a full Tuscan aperitivo than to have a charcuterie board filled with Finocchiona and Pecorino Toscano, all served with fresh Tuscan bread and of course, a glass of Chianti. 

Ribollita

Ribollita is a great choice for Chianti wine food pairing. It is a traditional bread soup made using stale bread and vegetables. Its name comes from the fact that in the past, the soup was usually prepared on Friday and then reheated several times during the weekend.

Chianti is the natural pairing with Ribollita, being both of them part of the Tuscan culinary tradition, because its medium body is able to accent all the flavours of the soup.

Boar Ragù and Chianti Riserva

Ragù is normally associated with Bolognese Sauce, where the main ingredient is bovine meat. In Tuscany, one of the most renowned specialties is boar ragù, a pasta sauce where the main ingredient is boar meat.

The pairing of boar ragù and Chianti is truly made in heaven, and you won’t help but do the scarpetta with a piece of Tuscan bread before closing your meal with a sip of Chianti Riserva. The wine is not just an accompaniment for this Tuscan specialty, it’s also part of the recipe. 

Cantucci and Vin Santo for Dessert

The best way to end a dinner in Chianti is to have Cantucci e Vin Santo. For the best Chianti wine food pairing experience, Cantucci e Vin Santo is an excellent option. This pair is Tuscan excellence and it brings to the table all the flavours of an ancient and rural Tuscany. Cantucci are a very simple type of biscuits made with only four ingredients: superfine flour, sugar, egg whites and almonds; what's peculiar about these tasty biscuits it's the shape, obtained by cutting the loaf in diagonal.

Vin Santo is a fortified wine made with Trebbiano, Malvasia bianca, Grecchetto and Passerina grapes. The origin of the name 'Santo', which means 'saint' in Italian has two different versions, one from Florence and one from Siena. In Florence, the date the name of the wine back to the 15th century as a result of the exclamation "This is Xantos' wine!". Xantos was the name of Greek fortified wine, but Italians understood 'santo'. In Siena's version, the wine was called santo because of its curative properties, as it was used to heal from the plague.

Brief History of Chianti

Chianti, Passing on the Etruscan Heritage 

The first evidence of wine production in the area dates back to the Etruscan period between the 10th and 7th century BC, in the form of vases found around Castellina di Chianti. During the Roman period the production continued and thanks to the work of monks, this tradition survived the barbaric invasions into the present day. The rich and fertile soil of Chianti made it possible for monks to cultivate both vines and olive trees to produce wine and olive oil, arguably Italy’s most famous exports. 

The first mention of the name ‘Chianti’ in a wine context dates back to the year 790 AD, but it was only after the year 1000 that the production of Chianti wine grew exponentially; its popularity was so influential that Tuscan winemakers and merchants started reaping sizeable profits from their wine. Unfortunately, the success of Chianti gave way to a large number of counterfeit producers that flooded the market (the modern appellation system exists precisely to defend against this type of behaviour). Prices dropped and the wine no longer was considered to be a luxurious product. In more than one sense, the production of Chianti turned into a fiasco...

The Birth of the Chianti Brand

The reemergence of Chianti as a hallmark of excellence occurred during the 15^th century when the Lega del Chianti was established to ensure the protection of the wine. At this point in its history, the name ‘Chianti’ was mainly associated with the wine made specifically in the appellation that today is Chianti Classico. The most important date regarding the establishment of the ‘Chianti’ brand is 1716 when Cosimo III de Medici created the official map with the division of territories used to make high-quality wine.

In 1874 it was made clear which had to be Chianti’s blending grapes: Sangiovese, which had to constitute 70% of the blend, as well as Canaiolo, Trebbiano, Malvasia, and some others, depending on the area. At the end of the 19^th century, Chianti was already considered to be one of the best wines in the world; it even won a gold medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889.

The Black Rooster, a Chianti Icon

"Siena chose a white rooster and treated it like a king, while Florence decided to keep their black rooster in a cage without food..."

Located in both the provinces of Florence and Siena, Chianti has always been a contested area between the two cities. The rivalry between Florence and Siena started even before Dante was born in the 13th century and it actually has something to do with the symbol of Chianti Classico, the Black Rooster. 

The Black Rooster and the Rivalry between Florence and Siena

The legend of the Black Rooster is about the eternal conflict between Florence and Siena and the problem related to the border of Chianti. Both cities wanted to have the majority of this fertile territory inside their state (at the time both cities were Republics) so to solve the problem, they agreed to take part in a challenge. Representatives from both cities decided a day in which two chevaliers, representing Florence and Siena, had to leave at the crack of dawn; the point where they met would have signed the border of Chianti. 

Siena chose a white rooster and treated it like a king, while Florence decided to keep their black rooster in a cage without food. The morning of the challenge, exhausted from the lack of food, Florence’s black rooster sang way before dawn and the chevalier representing the city left. In Siena, the white rooster sang a while after dawn, so the two chevaliers met approximately 15km away from Siena, in the town of Fonterutoli. In this way, Florence claimed dominance on the Chianti territory.

In 1924 the Gallo Nero consortium was founded, as an evolution of the first Liga del Chianti that used the black rooster as its symbol, to coordinate the work of winemakers in Chianti Classico. The black rooster is nowadays an icon intimately associated with Chianti Classico, and can be found on the neck of almost all bottles (though it is not a requirement). 

6 Must-Dos in Chianti 

There are so many ways to get a full Chianti experience, and so many places to see around one of the best Italian wine regions, located in the most iconic region of all: Tuscany. You can discover Chianti and its appellations by car, by bike, on your motorcycle, and at every stop you make, we promise you that you won’t be disappointed. Read our top picks of what to see in Chianti and the best roads to take in order not to miss anything!

1. Explore Chiantigiana Route

   A breathtaking road that will take you all the way from Florence to Siena through the entire Chianti wine region. Take route SS222 and start your journey through lush hills, endless roads skirted by high cypresses and don’t forget to stop at wineries and castles along the way.

2. Tour Chianti Classico by Bike (180km)

   You can start your bike tour from Florence, explore the Colli Fiorentini, and arrive in Chianti Classico through the stunning Val d’Elsa. Once you’re in Chianti Classico, follow the route towards Volpaia and Radda in Chianti. Throughout your ride, you will encounter gravel roads that will lead you to incredible spots and borghi in Chianti Classico, such as the Brolio Castle or Greve in Chianti.

3. Visit Radda in Chianti, the heart of Chianti Classico.

   Radda was the seat of the Lega del Chianti, so its connection to the wine is unmistakable. When visiting Radda, have a walk following the Medieval walkway that surrounds the Medieval part of the town. Of course, after discovering Radda, sit down in one of the many wine bars for a glass of Chianti. 

4. Visit Greve in Chianti

   Greve in Chianti is a town located on the Chiantigiana Route and it was considered to be the access spot to Chianti. One of the most peculiar sights in Greve is Piazza Matteotti, the center of the town, surrounded by enchanting porticos.  

5. Discover World Heritage Site - San Gimignano

   San Gimignano is one of the most fascinating towns in the entire Tuscany. As you drive to San Gimignano, you will be stunned by the ‘skyline’ of this incredible Medieval town, made up of 13 towers (in the past they were 72!). One of the most characteristic sights is the Piazza del Duomo, which together with the Palazzo del Popolo, the civic centre of San Gimignano, form a splendid architectural ensemble. 

6. Volterra, town of the Etruscans and Vampires.

   Are you a Twilight fan? If yes, you can’t miss visiting the beautiful town of Volterra, the town from which the Volturi family comes from. Unfortunately, the film wasn’t shot here but in Montepulciano (another amazing place to visit in Tuscany). If you are not a Twilight fan, you need to visit Volterra anyway. Volterra is indeed one of the most important Etruscan centres in Italy. 

Frequently asked questions about Chianti Wine Region