Italy / Tuscany

Chianti

Appellation

Chianti is Italy's best-known Tuscan red, grown across the sandstone and chalky marlstone hills between Florence and Siena and built around the Sangiovese grape. Regulations require Sangiovese to make up 75-100% of the blend, with small amounts of other reds like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah permitted for structure. The wines are typically medium-bodied with firm tannins and bright cherry and floral character, ranging from everyday bottles to the more serious Chianti Classico.

Grapes grown here

Sangiovese Principal Cabernet Sauvignon Permitted Merlot Permitted Syrah Permitted

Sub-regions

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico is the historic heartland of Chianti, the hilly zone between Florence and Siena that gave the wine its name, and its bottles carry a black rooster seal marking them out from the wider Chianti zone. It requires a minimum of 80% Sangiovese, with small additions of grapes like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah allowed, and is generally considered more structured and age-worthy than basic Chianti.