In order to understand Chianti, you first have to know a thing or two about a very important grape, the Sangiovese grape. You see, in the winemaking region of Tuscany, the Sangiovese grape is king. And, for Chianti, in particular, it must consist of at least 75 % of it.
The first documented account of the grape comes from an essay by agronomist Gian Vittorio Santorini that dates back to the 16th century. In this document, the grape is praised for its ability to produce fantastic wines.
However, the origins of the grape are unknown and split historians into two belief camps. Some posit that the mysterious Etruscans cultivated the grape. Whereas others credit its origins to Roman winemakers. Whichever is true, by the 18th century, the grape was widely recognized for its quality and planted throughout the Tuscan region.
Roughly 80 percent of all Tuscan wine comes from the Sangiovese grape. Its versatility means that depending on how the grape is approached you can get wildly different aromas and flavors, ranging from tart cherry through to roasted red peppers.
The region of Chianti, although not clearly defined, lies between Florence and Siena. It extends east out to Valdarno and west towards the Val d'Elsa. The result is a wine region with some of the most beautiful countrysides not just in Tuscany, but all of Italy. Here, you will find undulating, lush green hills covered in vineyards, olive groves and crowned by romantic, old villages.
What's more, because of Chianti's size there are hundreds of towns boasting fantastic enotecas, wine bars, and wineries that you could spend days, months, or even years exploring. In short, in Chianti, you are always only a corkscrew away from a great glass of wine!
If you've got the time and a car, then the Chiantigiana is for you. This is the "Chianti trail" that zig-zags from fantastic winery to fantastic winery all across the region. But, for those who don't quite feel up to going it alone, then there are plenty of incredible alternatives that will still see you sampling the best the region has to offer.
There are tons of tours to be enjoyed that include trips to multiple wineries which include wine tastings alongside traditional Tuscan meals and all in locations that are breathtakingly beautiful. So jump aboard a bus, put your feet up and be chauffeured from Monteriggioni to Siena or from Panzano to Radda in Chianti. The wine awaits.
