If you are a wine drinker, you have probably tasted or at least heard of Chianti. Walk into any Italian restaurant in the states, and Chianti is likely on their wine list. What is this history of this Italian table wine, and what is the attraction to the region in which it is made?
Chianti's Story
Long before Under the Tuscan Sun was made into a movie, villages throughout the Tuscany region were cultivating and bottling Chianti. Originally, the villages of Castellina, Gaiole and Radda were the primary producers of the local wine. Together they formed the Lega del Chianti, or League of Chianti.
Later, other nearby villages, including Greve, jumped on board and began their own version of Chianti. Today, the hillsides of much of Tuscany are filled with vines that produce the grapes that make up Chianti.
While the wine once included white grapes and other varietals, the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) now regulates the recipe. The primary Chianti grape is actually called a Sangiovese grape and thrives in the Tuscan climate.
If you spend time wine tasting in Chianti, you can see these vines lining many of the Tuscan hillsides of this region. Since this climate is a fertile ground for this type of grape, it is no surprise that it is the most popular place to create Chianti.
The Chianti Wine Characteristics
Chianti is a dry red wine that goes well with a variety of foods including traditional Italian dishes. You may recognize the table wine that was traditionally served in a squat bottle that sat in a straw basket bottom.
When you are in Italy, it is more common to see this straw covered bottle, which is often served as a table wine. In Italy, Chianti is inexpensive and often less than the price of water.
Chianti Classico is in the same species as Chianti, but there are subtle differences and laws for the production of this version. Classico must ferment for a minimum of 10 months instead of 3 months for the standard Chaianti. Taking a bath for that longer time period gives Chianti Classico a more mature and bolder taste (and a higher alchohol content).
If you purchase a bottle of Chianti Classico, you may have noticed a rooster label on the bottle's neck. This black rooster indicates that the producer is part of the Gallo Nero ("black rooster") consortium. Producers from the Classico region formed this group to promote quality wine and the prevention of wine fraud.
The Chianti Region
Aside from wine production, many farmhouses grow olive trees as well. Freshly pressed olive oil is another staple in the Italian's diet. If you take a Chianti tour, you can observe these olive trees that grow alongside the grape vines and other agriculture.
The rolling and perfectly manicured hillsides create the agricultural display that draws many tourists. Tuscany has great food, romantic undertones, and beautiful weather that makes it a perfect setting for a vacation. Many of the villages are hidden gems off the main tourist route, and deserve the quiet respect if you happen to discover them.
Italy is a mecca for wine lovers, and Tuscany is often the focal point. Tuscany not only produces Chianti, but a wide variety of Italian red wines. Most of the wines are affordable. If you can't make the journey to Tuscany, these Italian red wines can be purchased from your local wine shop, online, or exclusive outlets.
Next time you go out for Italian, order a glass of Chianti. As you sip the wine, imagine the rolling hills of Tuscany and the romantic lure of Lega del Chianti.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
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