{"id":8636,"date":"2020-01-14T06:30:47","date_gmt":"2020-01-14T04:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viikonviini.fi\/what-should-you-know-about-chianti-wine\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T11:26:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T08:26:41","slug":"what-should-you-know-about-chianti-wine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/viikonviini.fi\/en\/what-should-you-know-about-chianti-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"What should you know about Chianti wine?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the very least, that it comes from Tuscany in Italy, more precisely from the area between Florence and Siena. And that Chianti wines have a long history linked to the fortunes of the Medici merchant and ruling family. During their time, wine cultivation grew strongly in Tuscany. <\/p>\n\n

The first records in the historical archives of the word Chianti being used to describe a specific type of wine date back to the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. So this is definitely not some new fad. However, Chianti as a wine type is not automatically obvious to wine lovers, as wine produced under this name can be found around the world in many different qualities, unfortunately including some inferior ones. Chianti is, however, a category that’s definitely worth exploring, as there are absolutely fantastic producers, different styles, and quality and elegance at many levels. <\/p>\n\n

What all wines from the Chianti region have in common is the Sangiovese grape variety, which must make up a minimum of 70% or more of the wine, depending on the specific classification. There’s a substantial number of other permitted varieties. Many producers today have chosen to make their Chianti from 100% Sangiovese. <\/p>\n\n

Chianti DOCG is bright ruby red, fresh, and youthful wine<\/h2>\n\n

This classification covers the broadest area within the Chianti region. The majority of these Chiantis are at their best when drunk young, around 1-2 years from the vintage. There are many styles, partly because the soil composition in the area varies greatly, as do other so-called microclimate environmental factors such as humidity, vineyard elevation above sea level, and temperature variations. Generally speaking, Chianti DOCG is bright ruby red, fresh, youthful wine with notes of dark or red cherry. The Sangiovese variety must make up at least 70% of the wine. The winemaker can choose the other varieties from a fairly broad range of red wine varieties ‘traditionally’ used locally, and even a couple of white varieties are permitted. In addition, international red wine varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have also partially taken root in the area. <\/p>\n\n

When a wine has gone through a multi-stage evaluation and testing process, the authorities grant the producer special quality seals printed at the state printing office, which the producer then uses on each bottle. This is how the origin is verified. Certain more specific location references may be used alongside the Chianti name: Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Rufina, or Montespertoli. Of these, the smallest area, Rufina, is generally considered the most prestigious of the Chianti DOCG sub-zones. In these areas, regulations are usually slightly stricter in some ways regarding wine production, and the maximum production per hectare is also often limited to lower levels than in general Chianti. <\/p>\n\n

The Superiore designation may also be used in connection with Chianti DOCG. The Superiore classification usually means a slightly more robust style. It also means lower production per hectare, longer aging in most areas, and later release of the wine for sale. Basic Chianti can be released for sale on the first day of March following the harvest. Chianti Superiore<\/em>, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, and Chianti Rufina wines, on the other hand, can be released for sale no earlier than the first of September. If you want to add the Riserva<\/em> designation to a Chianti label, it means at least 2 years of aging for the wine, and in certain sub-zones the details of aging are regulated even more precisely. <\/p>\n\n

Chianti Classico DOCG<\/h2>\n\n

The Chianti region received a separate DOCG quality classification in the 1990s. Around 7,200 hectares have been registered for Chianti Classico wine production in the best areas of the Chianti hills. Chianti Classico wines have their own ‘trademark’: a black rooster on the label. It’s a historical symbol used by Chianti’s military forces. These wines must use at least 80% Sangiovese variety, and the producer can again choose the rest from a fairly large group of permitted local or international varieties. <\/p>\n\n

Under the classification there are three different wine types that differ from each other compositionally and sensorially:<\/p>\n\n