27Nov 0 Chianti Classico Posted By: Elena Spolaor All about Chianti Italy, Chianti Food & Wine, Chianti wine & wineries, Chianti, Italy Chianti ClassicoChianti Classico wine - the wine of the historical Chianti area of Tuscany The expression Chianti Classico is reserved for wines produced in a roughly oval-shaped area of mostly hilly country located between Florence and Sienna in Tuscany, Italy. To be designated Chianti Classico DOCG, the wines must be produced from sangiovese grapes at wineries within the area and within a specified range of altitudes. The Chianti Classico wine-making area corresponds roughly to historical Chianti and is surrounded by a larger wine making area designated simply “Chianti”. Map of the wine production areas of Tuscany Chianti Classico wine is often but not always 100% sangiovese. However, the rules governing Chianti Classico wineries allow up to 20% of other red grapes to be blended with the sangiovese grapes. These are now most frequently merlot and /or carbernet sauvignon, but many other grapes are also used, some autochthonous such as canaiolo and colorino and others originating in other countries, for example petit verdot and cabernet franc. The alcohol level must be at least 12% and there are also limitations on the weight of grapes that can be harvested per hectare. Wines that satisfy these criteria and guaranteed by the Chianti Classico “gallo nero” seal on the bottle neck. The seal has recently been redesigned in more “modern” format – see Anna Maria Baldini’s assessment of the new design and also her commentary on the new top level Chianti Classico designation – “gran riserva“. The Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, Italy The sangiovese grape is remarkably sensitive to soil and climatic factors. Indeed, it would be hard to find another grape varietal that expresses the soil in which the vine grows so clearly in its fragrance and taste. Flowery bouquets are derived from sandy soils, while scents of wild berries are typical of limestone country and the aromas of tobacco are common in Chianti wines where the sangiovese has grown on tufa. However, whatever the zone of origin, there is that scent of violets that the production regulations identify as a characteristic and specific element of Chianti Classico. More about Tuscan wines. Chianti wine tours and Chianti winery vacation accommodations. More about Chianti and the Chiantigiani. Here are some similar topics: “Il Villino” farmhouse vacation apartments in Chianti "Il Villino" farmhouse vacation apartments in ChiantiAgriturismo "Il Villino", a winery located 2 km from Castellina in Chianti, offers two vacation apartments, each for 3 (+1) persons plus a larger villa suitable for families Il Villino vacation apartments near Castellina in Chianti Agriturismo "Il Villino" is located near Castellina above the valley that runs towards [...] Read More » Chianti – what is Chianti wine? Chianti - what is Chianti wine?Chianti wine - what is it and where does it come from? Bottles of Chianti Classico wine displaying the black rooster (gallo nero) seal. When the name Chianti is used in relation to wine in a general context, it often means Chianti Classico wine which is a red wine produced [...] Read More » Wine vacation in Chianti Enjoy an oenological holiday in Chianti Chianti Classico wine grapes A wine vacation in Chianti - why not? Well, if you're an oenophile, wine will very likely be one of many enjoyable aspects of your vacation in Tuscany, especially Chianti. While the art cities of Florence, Sienna, Lucca and Pisa will demand [...] Read More » Bistecca alla Fiorentina – Florentine grilled steak Bistecca alla FiorentinaFlorentine grilled steak - how to prepare it, how to eat it Not all tourists realise that grilled steak is very popular in Tuscany and, under names such as carne alla brace or carne alla griglia, no doubt has been, in one form or another, since time immemorial. One of the most traditional [...] Read More » Montefioralle The fortified village of near Greve in Chianti, Tuscany The small village of is one of the best-preserved and most interesting mediaeval fortified villages in Chianti, indeed in the whole of Tuscany. The original name of was Monteficale - the village claims an entire verse under that name in the Ninfale [...] Read More »