You may be thinking that you don’t need an excuse, but National Chianti Day gives wine lovers a good reason to open a bottle of Chianti or Chianti Classico. The idea came from importers, Santa Margherita USA – which represents Chianti Classico estates Santa Margherita and Lamole di Lamole – and aims to highlight the qualities of the famed area in Tuscany.
The wines vary widely in price and quality, from quaffable Chianti to ageable Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Below, we pick out some great bottles to try at all price points.
Our 12-strong selection showcases the variety to be found in the Chianti and Chianti Classico zones, from the rare and very expensive Ipsus Gran Selezione (try with lamb chops served slightly pink), to the newly classified Terraelectae wines, designed to represent the peak of Chianti Rùfina production.
It’s not all budget-busting big hitters however, we’ve also included some good value options such as I Veroni’s I Domi Chianti Rùfina, available in the US for $15.99, and Frescobaldi’s Nipozzano Chianti Rùfina Riserva, available in the UK at Tesco for £16.
Chianti & Chianti Classico: What’s the difference?
There are two Chianti denominations: Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG. While the former constitutes a vast 13,800 hectares of vines (2019), the latter is concentrated on the original pre-expansion zone between Florence and Siena, totalling 5,269ha of vineyard (2019).
Chianti Classico was a subzone of Chianti from its inception in 1967 until 1996, when it was granted its own separate DOCG. The vineyards here are typically at higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG.
Chianti: What’s in the blend?
While Chianti DOCG wines must be a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, Chianti Classico DOCG wines demand a minimum of 80%. Both DOCGs permit the use of local and international varieties: Canaiolo Nero, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Malvasia Nera, Mammolo, Pugnitello, and also major international varieties, such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.
Chianti DOCG permits a maximum of 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc, and a maximum of 10% of white varieties Malvasia and Trebbiano. Chianti Classico DOCG is no longer permitted to include white varieties in the blend.
Ageing Regulations
Chianti DOCG wines can be sold from 1 March in the year after vintage, meaning that many examples are consumed in their youth as simple, fresh reds.
Chianti Classico DOCG wines increase minimum ageing to around 12 months, being sold from 1 October in the year after vintage. This can give the wines greater complexity, cohesion, and helps to round off the raw edges of youth.
Classification hierarchy
Chianti DOCG has three classifications: Chianti, Chianti Superiore and Chianti Riserva. It also has seven subzones (such as Rùfina) which each have their own, stricter requirements including lower yields, longer ageing and higher alcohol.
Chianti Classico DOCG also has three classifications: Chianti Classico (known as ‘annata’), Chianti Classico Riserva and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.
Recent changes to the Gran Selezione regulations include increasing the minimum required Sangiovese content from 80% to 90%, and introducing 11 subzones.
