sunny slopes of Chianti vineyards
The most popular Italian table wine has its beginning on the sunny slopes of same name Chianti Valley.
The picturesque valley stretches between Florence and Siena, closed from east by the small mountain range named also Chianti.
The Tuscany sun and rich soil bring the unique flavour to Sangioves grapes of red colour. The wine may be also made of Canaiolo with addition of Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia.
The successful experiments introduce foreign grapes, but the ‘real’ wine called Chianti Classico Docq is made in the traditional way.
There are seven zones permitted to produce Chianti, the valley between Florence and Siena is called then Chianti Classico,
Chianti Colli Aretini, Chianti Colli Fiorentini and Chianti Montalbano surround Florence, Chianti Colline Pisane are near Pisa, while Chianti Colli Senesi are located in Siena province.
Touching Appenines north of Florence lies small area Chianti Rufina.
The old,traditional way called governo preserves the specific bouquet of the grapes.
Soon after harvest in October the grapes are peeled and put into the wooden fermentation barrel for 15 days with slow liquid rotation from bottom to top.
After the final pressing the wine is left for the second fermentation during the spring, to calm and balance the final taste.
The wine is then poured into the wooden barrels, where it does not mature too long, as it is best when fresh.
The landscape of Chanti Valley is similar to other parts of Tuscany with picturesque hills, vineyards ,cypress hills and old castles, once the strongholds of powerful Tuscanian families like Gabbiano and Verazzano famous of 16th century explorer, today cozy private countryside hotels.
Besides of wine, the area is famous of long tradition of glass blowing in a small town Colle Val d’Esa, and terracotta manufactures around Inpruenta.
There are several one day tours through the Chianti Classico starting from Florence or Siena. Read more
[photo courtesy of Juergen Kurlvink]
Guides: Food
