Chianti from Tuscany is the most famous and also historically most important wine of Italy, described hundreds of years ago by writers and appreciated by composers in songs. It was first mentioned in a document in 1398, but at that time it meant a white wine. The history of Chianti was greatly influenced by the Chianti formula published by Baron Bettino Ricasoli in 1872, in which he recommended softening the somewhat rough and robust nature of Sangiovese with a little Canaiolo, or by adding a little white wine of the Malvasia and Trebbiano varieties to make the wine more accessible. Then and until the 1980s, Chianti was rather a wine for undemanding tourists, much of it sold open or in large raffia bottles.
Inspired by wines such as "Tignanello" or "Solaia", the region was seized by a great quality revolution in the 1980s and 90s, so that today there are a variety of first-class Chianti wines - some of them are in the premium range or even enjoy cult status among enthusiasts. The Chianti region is the highest of the red wine regions in Tuscany, so the wines are more elegant and somewhat lighter than their great competitors from Brunello or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Today, the entire Chianti area is divided into seven sub-regions, the most important and perhaps the best being the "Chianti Classico" zone. However, other sub-regions such as Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colli Senesi or Chianti Colli Fiorentini have caught up considerably. Since the mid-1990s, however, white wine has no longer been added to the cuvée; instead, an addition of up to ten percent Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot is permitted. Many top producers today, however, also produce a single-varietal Sangiovese.
The best wines from Chianti
Tuscany
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TastingTrophy Chianti Classico Annata/Riserva/Gran Selezione 202401.11.2024, Falstaff Magazine Austria No. 9/2024, Othmar Kiem, Simon staffler
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TastingFalstaff Wine Guide Italia 202514.10.2024, Falstaff Wine Guide Italy 2025, Othmar Kiem, Simon Staffler
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TastingChianti Classico Annata Trophy 2022Der »Gallo Nero« - der schwarze Hahn - ist das Markenzeichen des Chianti Classico mit dem sich die Flaschen schmücken. Der wichtigste Wein...
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TastingWine Guide Italy 2023For the first time in Falstaff history, we proudly present the new Falstaff Wine Guide Italy. Around 500 selected wineries and their exquisi...
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TastingShortlist Switzerland 07/2022Weine aus aller Welt - aktuell im Handel. Woche für Woche bekommt die Falstaff-Wein-Redaktion Flaschenpost von Weinhändlern, die neue Produ...
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TastingShortlist Germany 3/2022Weine aus aller Welt - aktuell im Handel. Woche für Woche bekommt die Falstaff-Wein-Redaktion Flaschenpost von Weinhändlern, die neue Produk...
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TastingOnline Tasting Italy 6/202201.01.2022, Falstaff Online Austria 2022, Othmar Kiem, Simon Staffler
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TastingChianti Classico Annata Trophy 2021Chianti Classico bietet guten Trinkgenuss zu einem interessanten Preis. Seine feine Frucht, sein geschliffenes Tannin und seine präsente, ab...
Best wines from this region
377 entries
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2021 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
Brancaia
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14,5%
95
2020 Poggio Croce Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Arillo in Terrabianca
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
95
2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castellinuzza
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
13,5%
94
2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Tenuta di Carleone
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
13,5%
94
2021 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Basilica Cafaggio
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
14%
94
2021 Le Tre Vigne Chianti Classico DOCG
Terreno
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14,5%
94
2020 Belcanto Chianti Classico DOCG
Nittardi
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
13,5%
94
2020 Casanuova di Nittardi La Doghessa Chianti Classico DOCG
Nittardi
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
94
2020 Monsanto Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Monsanto
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
14%
94
2020 Rancia Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
Fèlsina
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
94
2020 Volpaia Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Volpaia
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
13,5%
94
2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Volpaia
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
94
2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Fonterutoli
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
13,5%
94
2019 Chianti Classico DOCG
Fontodi
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
94
2018 Castell'in Villa Chianti Classico DOCG
Castell'in Villa
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
13,5%
94
2022 Casanuova di Nittardi Vigna Doghessa Chianti Classico DOCG
Nittardi
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
93
2022 Chianti Classico DOCG
Castello di Monsanto
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
93
2022 Chianti Classico DOCG
Poggio al Sole
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14%
93
2022 Poggio Torselli Chianti Classico DOCG
Il Contadino Cusano
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
14%
93
2021 Chianti Classico DOCG
Fattoria di Rietine
Chianti,
Tuscany,
Italy
Red Wine
Sangiovese
14,5%
93
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