Chianti Classico Guide

When it comes to wine, it can feel a little overwhelming with all of the different grape varieties, regions and even different types of wine. There’s red wine, white wine, rosé wine, dessert wine and sparkling wine. If you’re a chianti fan, you might find this Chianti Classico Guide useful.

What is a Chianti?

Let’s start with the basics. A Chianti wine is any wine that is produced within the Chianti region of central Tuscany. Known as the ‘classic’ Italian wine, Chianti is the most popular Italian red wine in America.

Chianti Classico is known for its zingy, cherry flavour which is unmistakable. If you’ve never tried a bottle of Chianti Classico before, there are a few different varieties Independent Wine can vouch for. When looking to try a new wine, it’s always a good idea to get some reviews and insights from those that know their wines.

The typical Chianti Classico has a rich ruby red colour, and is a Sangiovese (a red Italian wine grape variety) based wine, and is said to feature aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice too.

It is said that the high altitudes help to shape the flavour of Chianti Classico. The vineyards in the Chianti Classico region all sit on mountain slopes, at the high elevation of 400-600 metres above sea level.

It is at this altitude, that the grapes are exposed to lots of sun during the daytime, and chilly temperatures during the mountainous nights. The sun helps the grapes to ripen, while the cold helps to preserve the acidity and keep fresh notes in the Sangiovese.