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.

About Chianti

Chianti was once known as a thick bottle wrapped in a straw basket called "Fiasco". Today most producers use standard bottles. By law, wine labelled Chianti must come from the Chianti region between Firenze and Siena. Chianti was established as a DOC in 1967 and became a DOCG in 1984. Chianti Classico became a separate DOCG in 1996. Chianti DOCG must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classico DOCG must contain at least 80% Sangiovese.

Chianti DOCG Areas

• Colli Aretini DOCG
• Colli Fiorentini DOCG
• Colline Pisane DOCG
• Colli Senesi DOCG
• Montalbano DOCG
• Montespertoli DOCG
• Rufina DOCG

Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico is a separate DOCG and not a subzone of any Chianti DOCG.

Chianti Classico DOCG is produced in the old "classic" part of Chianti.

About Sangiovese

Sangiovese's homeland is Tuscany. But it is also big in Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, Campania, and Sicily. It is the most cultivated red grape in Italy.

The name (Sanguis Jovis) is Latin for "Blood of Jupiter".

Sangiovese is thin-skinned and the color of the wine is light red.

Sangiovese wine has high acidity, high tannins, medium body and medium alcohol.

Sangiovese Clones

Based on the work of G. Molon in 1906, Sangioves has been divided in two families: the Sangiovese Grosso (big), used for making Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti wines, and the Sangiovese Piccolo (small), used in the other zones of Tuscany.

But this classification is too simple. There are nearly 100 approved clones of Sangiovese in Italy and the are no indication that the quality can be based on the size of the grapes.

Terroir

Sangiovese loves the Galestro terroir found in most of Tuscany’s best vineyards.

Galestro was created in a deep sea which is now the Mediterranean. It is a formation of stone, mudstone, sand, and clay (not compact clay), that breaks into little pieces helping open the soil.