Chianti Wine: A Tuscan Tradition

True Chianti only comes from the Chianti region of Tuscany and has been recognized as a wine in and of its own since the 1400s. Look for the word riserva on the label. It indicates a top quality wine that has been aged for 3 years in oak casks.

Chianti is a strong red wine with fruity flavors such as cherry, plum and strawberry as well as spice, almonds, tobacco, vanilla and coffee. A good medium bodied Chianti is one wine that holds its own when served with strong, well seasoned dishes. Lighter Chiantis are best used with dishes that have a lighter sauce. Chianti should be served chilled to 59 degrees F. Chianti that comes in the traditional straw covered bottles is generally not the same high quality as those in a regular bottle. They are made for the tourist trade.

There are 8 official Chianti growing zones and the one that produced the wine should be listed on the label. The zones are Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Montalbano Montespertoli, Rufina and Chianti Classico, the only zone that has the Black Rooster on the label.

Chianti Classico is the largest and the most well known. All in all, there is about 25,000 acres in the Chianti region and 2/3 are used for Chianti Classico, which also uses about 80% of all of the top grape, the Sangiovese. Chianti has about 12 % alcohol, less than most other wines making it a good choice for a new wine drinker. Riserva must have at least 12.5%.

The Italian government has laws in place to insure that the Chianti Classico is of the highest quality possible. For instance, a new vineyard cannot produce wine until 4 years after the first planting. There is also a limit on the quantity produced. It cannot be more than 3.34 tons of grapes per acre or 559 gallons of wine per acre. Every stage of production much occur in the production zone and all Chianti must be aged in oak barrels for at least 7 months.

In order for a wine to be certified to become Chianti Calssico it has to go through chemical tests and pass a wine tasting. The life span of Chianti Classico is from 3 to 6 years after the harvest- ready to drink,at 6 to 10 years, it will loose some of the acidity and tannis. It should not be held over 10 years. For Chianti Classico Riserva it is drinkable at 4 years, but it is still not at its best. At 4 to 10 years, it will reach its peak and from 10 to 15 years, the peak is just about past, but it is still drinkable.

Sources

Chianti Information

Chianti

Chianti Facts