Chianti (Italy)
Chianti is Italy's most famous red wine.
Chianti DOCG must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes.
Typical Flavors
 Sour Cherry |
 Strawberry |
 Red Plum |
 Fig |
Oak Added Flavors:
 Barrel |
 Vanilla |
 Licorice |
 Leather |
Sour Cherry, Strawberry, and Plum are typical Chianti flavors.
Profile
| BODY | Medium | ||
| TANNINS | Medium | ||
| FRUIT | Medium | ||
| ACIDITY | Medium - High | ||
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Food Pairing
 Pasta |
 Risotto |
 Ham |
 Salumi |
 Pizza |
 Hamburger |
 Chicken |
 Turkey |
 Sausages |
 Rabbit |
 Pork |
 Wild Boar |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Game |
 Beef |
Chianti pairs well with both Italian and International food.
It loves Rich Pasta Dishes, Tomato Sauces, Stews and Mushroom Sauces.
Pairing Suggestions
Excellent Pairing:
Tomato Sauce. Meat Sauce.
Truffle Sauce. Mushroom Sauce.
Rich Pasta. Rich Risotto. Pasta Cabonara.
Pasta Arrabbiata. Pasta with Truffles.
Rich Pizza. Pizza Picante. Lasagna.
Poultry. Rich Chicken. Turkey. Rabbit.
Hamburger. Sausages. Veal.
Stew. Wild Boar Stew. Ox Tail Stew.
Pork (Herb Grilled).
Lamb (with Rosemary).
Red Meat. Braises. Roast Beef. Game.
Cheese:
Mature Cheese.
Pecorino. Parmigiano. Asiago. Provolone.
Tuscan Specialities:
Ribollita (Hearthy Soup).
Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine Steak).
Risotto (with Meat or Mushroom Sauce).
Polenta with Black Truffle.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms.
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The Ideal Glass
The Bordeaux glass is perfect for medium to full bodied red wines.
It is taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl.
The large size of the glass allows the fruit bouquet to develop. It smooths out rough edges, plays down tannins, and allows the wines to achieve balance.
The slimmer bowl sends the wine directly to the back of the mouth for maximum taste.
Italian DOC(G)
Italian wine labels was introduced in 1963. They were designed to copy the French AOC/AC system.
DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) regulates production areas, grape varieties, alcohol levels, and vinification techniques.
DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is the highest classification.
Strict rules defines grape varieties, yield limits, grape ripeness, winemaking procedures, barrel and bottle maturation, and tasting procedures. Each bottle must have a numbered government seal.
Chianti DOCG
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By law, any wine labelled Chianti must come from the Chianti region between Firenze and Siena, and it must contain at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. In 1995 it became legal to produce Chianti with 100% Sangiovese. Chianti was once known by its short and thick bottle wrapped in a straw basket called "Fiasco". Today most producers use standard wine bottles. |
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Sangiovese Wines
The Sangiovese wines from Tuscany are world famous.
Typical Chianti and Montepulciano wines are Sangiovese blends (70-80%).
Typical Montalcino wines are made from 100% Sangiovese.
| Name | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Rosso di Montalcino DOC | 100% Sangiovese |
| Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | 100% Sangiovese |
| Rosso di Montepulciano DOC | Min 70% Sangiovese |
| Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG | Min 70% Sangiovese |
| Chianti DOCG | Min 70% Sangiovese |
| Chianti Classico DOCG | Min 80% Sangiovese |
| Morellino di Scansano DOCG | Min 85% Sangiovese |
| Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG | Min 90% Sangiovese |
Toscana (Tuscany)
Toscana is famous for the city of Firenze, and red wines made from Sangiovese.
Red Wines:
Chianti
Chianti Classico
Rosso di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino
Rosso di Montepulciano
Nobile di Montepulciano
Montecucco Sangiovese
Morellino di Scansano
Sangiovese
Super Tuscan:
Super Tuscan
Bolgheri Rosso
Carmignano Rosso
Suvereto Rosso
Val di Cornia Rosso
White Wines:
Vermentino
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Sweet Wines:
Toscana
Toscana is most famous for the majestetic city of Firenze.
On the wine side, the region is best known for the Sangiovese based red wines:
- Chianti Classico
- Brunello di Montalcino
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
A copy of the Bordeaux Blend, named Super Tuscan, is also popular all over the world.
Vermentino is the best known white wine from the coastline, and Vernaccia is an internationally recognised white wine from the medieval town of San Gimignano.
On the sweet side, Vin Santo ("Holy Wine") is the national drink in Tuscany.
Primary Grapes:
Sangiovese 65%
Merlot 8%
Cab Sauvignon 6%
Trebbiano 6%
Vermentino 3%
Vernaccia 2%
Toscana has 11 DOCGs:
Sangiovese:
Chianti DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
Chianti Classico DOCG (80% Sangiovese)
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (100% Sangiovese)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (70% Sangiovese)
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG (90% Sangiovese)
Morellino di Scansano DOCG (85% Sangiovese)
Super Tuscan:
Carmignano DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon/Franc, Merlot)
Suvereto Rosso DOCG (Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
Val di Cornia Rosso DOCG (Sangiovese, Cab Sauvignon, Merlot)
White:
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG (85% Vernatcha)