Chianti

Chianti [ ki̯anti ] is a red wine from Tuscany, made from the Sangiovese grape substantially. He was formerly synonymous with Italian wine par excellence, and he was traditionally sold in strohumflochtenen bottle ( fiasco ). The first mention of him Francesco Datini in the 14th century.

It is a wine whose grapes are grown in certain municipalities of Tuscany region. There are six classic Chianti zones that were arbitrarily defined by municipal boundaries and the grapes have very different conditions to some extent. Accordingly, the results of the Chianti region are very different. If the wine from the actual Chianti region between Florence and Siena, he may Chianti Classico or Chianti Classico Riserva call. The wine must be stored, for example, certain time ( for Riserva two years) in oak barrels and it may only certain varieties are mixed. The biggest share is always the Sangiovese grape ( 80% ). Other varieties are Cannaiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon. White wine grapes are officially banned.

In the 19th century a share of about 10 percent white wine had been set as mandatory. At that time, in 1841, Bettino Ricasoli was determined by systematic blending experiments, the optimum mixing ratio for the Chianti. 1971 revolutionized the famous Marchesi Antinori Tignanello with the viticulture. Antinori was convinced to be able to produce a great wine without white wine content. He decided to forgo the DOC Seal. The great success proved him right. Since then, a wine produced in the Chianti now, the "dry " corresponds to the prevailing taste today and focuses on the style of the wines of Bordeaux.

The classic old Chianti other hand, was a fruity and also relatively short storable wine. Only very few winemakers produce these traditional Chianti as a commission for luxury restaurants.

New regulations

Not every produced in the Chianti wine is a Chianti Classico. The new rules of the " Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico " see changes inter alia in the varietal selections:

  • Minimum percentage of Sangiovese grapes: 80% ( Sangiovese is the typical red grape variety in the area)
  • Other red grape varieties (local: Canaiolo, Colorino; international: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot ) to a maximum of 20 %
  • Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga (both white grape varieties ) may no longer be used from the harvest of 2006.
  • Volume fraction of alcohol: for normal Chianti: at least 12 %
  • For Riserva: at least 12.5 %
  • Chianti Classico: on 1 October at the earliest one year after the harvest
  • Riserva: earlier than 24 months, of which at least three months in the bottle

Description

  • Color: bright ruby red, with age into garnet tending
  • Taste: harmonious, tart, spicy, light tannins with a velvety finish
  • Designations: Riserva after 2 years ( from 1 January of the year following the year of harvest ) aging, a further 3 months in bottle and at least 12.5 percent alcohol by volume.

Zones

Chianti is not just the name of the wine, but also of the region in which it is made. Within this DOC area located in eight regions with the highest Italian quality seal are provided, the DOCG. Wines that are not made ​​in any of these areas, wear only the predicate Chianti DOC: this is the easiest Chianti. Either the estate is located outside one of the sub-zones, so to speak, only in Chianti, or the wine does not meet the criteria of the most stringent sub-zones.

The DOCG zones shall be indicated on the pink placard. These are:

  • Classico DOCG zone: This zone covers the area of ​​origin of the Chianti vineyards to 1932 and some of it north and south. Here are the most durable and finest specimens to be found. However, these wines are well priced in a different class. The consortium " Chianti Classico ", located in Barberino Val d'Elsa, has launched the trademark " Gallo Nero " ( Black Rooster ) to life. A " Gallo Nero " on the bottle neck vouches for the quality of this wine.
  • Colli Fiorentini DOCG ( hills around Florence): mostly young to be drunk, drinkable Zechweine, albeit discover more and more winemakers also the longer-lived wines.
  • Colli Senesi DOCG ( hills around Siena): southern Chianti zone, here is made ​​very much of Brunello and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine makers as Chianti declared wine and sold, does not meet the provisions of the other südtoskanischen high plants, but it is also true here to make inexpensive discoveries.
  • Rúfina DOCG: This usually somewhat richer body wine is from a small area (about 600 ha) east of Florence to Pontassive and is usually a bit more durable and not as severe as the Classico.
  • Aretini DOCG ( Arezzo )
  • Colline Pisane DOCG ( hills around Pisa)
  • Montalbano DOCG (around Carmignano)
  • Montespertoli DOCG
Fiasco (bottle) Antinori#Tignanello Aging of wine Maraština Reserve wine Brunello di Montalcino Jancis Robinson
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