Chianti Wine: Grapes, Style and Bottles

Signature grapes

Sub-regions

Bottles to find

Chianti is a wine region of Tuscany, Italy.

The signature grape is Sangiovese, backed by Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, plus one more.

Vines root into clay and limestone.

The climate is continental.

The vineyards themselves read as hills.

The region is known for red wine.

Quality is codified by the DOCG, the Chianti Classico and the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, which is worth reading off the label.

The named areas within are Chianti Classico, Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colli Aretini, Chianti Colli Fiorentini and Chianti Colli Senesi, plus three more.

Pour them alongside bistecca fiorentina, duck, lamb and pork.

Soil

ClayLimestone

Climate

Continental

Terrain

Hills

Styles

red

Grapes planted here.

01 SangioveseDominant Read → 02 CanaioloBlending Read → 03 ColorinoBlending Read → 04 Cabernet SauvignonBlending Read → 05 MerlotBlending Read → 06 SyrahBlending Read → 07 Cabernet Franc Read → 08 Trebbiano Read → 09 Malvasia Read →

Classifications.

DOCG
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Bottles to look for.

Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy
Barone Ricasoli Colledila, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Italy
Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
Castello di Ama 'San Lorenzo', Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Italy
Castello di Ama Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
Castello di Ama Vigneto Bellavista, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Italy
Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany, Italy

At the table.

bistecca fiorentina
duck
lamb
pork
poultry
creamy pasta dishes
mushrooms

Inside the region.

01 Chianti ClassicoItaly Read → 02 Chianti RufinaItaly Read →

03 Chianti Colli Aretini

04 Chianti Colli FiorentiniItaly Read → 05 Chianti Colli SenesiItaly Read →

06 Chianti Colline Pisane

07 Chianti Montalbano

08 Chianti Montespertoli

Nearby regions.

01 Toscana IGTItaly Read → 02 Colli della Toscana Centrale IGTItaly Read → 03 Chianti ClassicoItaly Read → 04 Chianti RufinaItaly Read → 05 Chianti Colli FiorentiniItaly Read → 06 Chianti Colli SenesiItaly Read → 07 TuscanyItaly Read →

Chianti: common questions

01.

What grapes is Chianti known for?

Sangiovese is the signature grape of Chianti. Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are also planted here.

02.

What kind of wine does Chianti make?

Chianti produces red wine.

03.

Where is Chianti?

Chianti is a wine region in Italy.

04.

What food goes with Chianti wine?

Try bistecca fiorentina, duck, lamb, pork and poultry, plus two more.

More from here: every wine region in Italy, or the wider Tuscany guide.