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Wine FAQs
What is Chianti Wine?
A dry, medium- to full-bodied red wine with medium tannins and medium- to high-acidity, Chianti is produced in Tuscany's Chianti region, in central Italy. Though primarily composed of Sangiovese, Chianti can also contain up to 20% other red grape varieties. Indigenous red grapes (like Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Malvasia Nera and more) and international ones (like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and others) can be included, as long as they are grown within Chianti.
At minuimum, a bottle of Chianti must be at least 11.5% ABV, aged for at least four months. Some subzones within the Chianti region must attain higher alcohol levels and can require longer aging before release.
Is Chianti Sweet or Dry Wine?
Chianti is a dry red wine with noticeable tannins and medium- to high acidity. Though it has red fruit flavors that can seem candied, Chianti is almost always perceived as dry because it is rather rustic and earthy.
Where is Chianti Wine From?
Chianti wine comes from the Chianti region of Tuscany, within central Italy. Encompassing more than 170,000 acres, its production zone stretches north-to-south from Florence to Siena, and from east-to-west from Arezzo to Pisa in the west.
Chianti has held Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status, which is Italy’s highest level of wine classification, since the 1980s. The Chianti DOCG is further split into subzones—each with distinct production requirements—plus Chianti Classico, which holds its own DOCG status and is often considered to produce the best wines.
What Does Chianti Taste Like?
Chianti is a medium- to full-bodied red wine with notable tannins and vibrant acidity. Common Chianti wine flavors include cherry and strawberry fruit characteristics with earthy and smoky qualities sometimes accented by herbal tones, spice and balsamic vinegar flavors.
How to Serve Chianti Wine
Chianti should be served at cellar temperature (between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit) in a standard red wine or all-purpose glass.
How to Pick a Good Chianti Wine
Like any wine, Chianti wine prices can vary and a higher cost does not always indicate quality.
To choose the best Chianti wine, start by looking at a bottle’s label. That’s where you’ll see the wine’s regional authenticity, and can find other clues about quality and aging. Chianti Classico DOCG are more strictly regulated and are often considered to be the highest quality, with Chianti Classico Gran Selezione being the top of the category. Wines from the Chianti Rufina subzone and the Chianti Colli Senesi subzone are also considered by many to be noteworthy.
Bottlings noted as Riserva and Gran Selezione have longer aging requirements, but whether or not that’s better or best is a matter of personal preference.
What Makes Wines From Chianti Special?
Chianti wines are special because of their history, strict production standards and the historical traditions that surround them.
What Wines are Similar to Chianti Wine?
Any red wines made from the Sangiovese grape (whether blends or varietal expressions) will be most similar to Chianti. Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Super Tuscans would be other great options from Italy. If you want to try something different but with a similar profile, look for Nebbiolo or Aglianico.