Learning the Basics of Chianti Wines

Chianti is one of the most recognisable kinds of wine from Italy and, not surprisingly, the region is a popular choice for vino-loving holidaymakers renting villas in Tuscany.

It is important to note, however, that not all wines labelled Chianti are the same. Some have a lighter, fruitier flavour while others have a fuller, smokier taste. Some come in as cheaply as five to ten euros a bottle, while others could fetch thirty euros or more a bottle.

For apprentice wine-lovers thinking of renting one of the lovely villas in Tuscany in the region, here are some of the more important basic tips you need to know about the wines before you go.

What Makes a Chianti?

The Sangiovese grape is the heart and soul of a Chianti wine. The red grape produces a fruity, flowery, earth and smoky flavour when aged, and is what defines Chianti wines in the first place. Modern rules state that Chianti must be composed of 80-100% Sangiovese grapes, and can include a blend of other international grapes, like Cabernet or Merlot - up to a maximum of 20%.

Older laws mandated the inclusion of 10% white grapes a few decades ago, because of the widely held belief that they ‘softened’ the flavour of the Sangiovese grape. Vintners experimenting with pure red grapes, however, have produced superior blends – which is why all forms of white grapes have now been banned from being used in Chianti wines since 2005.

Some labels such as Montevertine are Chianti wines at heart, with their reliance on the Sangiovese grape. (It uses 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino. These labels, however, lost the right to use the name because they refused to dilute their wines with white grapes when the law mandated it. The Three Kinds of Chianti by Age

Regular Chianti, also known as Chianti di Pronto Breva, is briefly aged for a minimum of four months. It’s the most affordable version, at about 5 -10 euros a bottle. You will recognize it for its earthy fruitiness that makes it an ideal all-around table wine.

Classico has been aged a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels, producing a dryer, medium-bodied wine with just a hint of tobacco on the tongue. These come in at about 10 - 20 euros a bottle, and also have a black rooster on the neck of the bottle signifying their status.

And finally, we have the deluxe Riserva, which has been aged for at least two years in oak barrels and three months in the bottle. Riserva-labelled bottles have a significantly stronger, heavier flavour than the Classico. This makes it an ideal choice for fine dining, particularly with strongly-flavoured game dishes and aged cheeses. These bottles start at 30 euros a bottle and can go all the way up to 100 euros or more.

By Region

Many Chiantis are designated by the region they come from, with some coming from the same province but from different districts. They include: a common blend found in Arezzo, Pisa, Pistoia, Siena, Firenze; Rufina (Florence); Montalbano (Florence, Pistoia, Prato); Montespertoli (Florence); Colli Fiorentini (hills of Florentine); Colli Senesi (hills of Siena); Colli Pisane (hills of Pisa); and Colli Aretini (hills of Arezzo)

Simply put, these regions each have their own unique blend of grapes as well as their own different ways of aging the wines. The local blend will differ depending on which villas in Tuscany you’re staying in, although all share the distinctively fruity and earthy flavour of the Sangiovese grape. Keep these basic tips in mind and you’ll be able to make a smarter choice when sampling the many varieties of wine you'll encounter while staying in one of the local villas in Tuscany.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular villas in Tuscany or accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.