Not to be confused with the broader Chianti DOCG, Chianti Classico has been known for producing exceptional Sangiovese-based wines for more than a century. Here’s what buyers need to know about this consumer-favorite wine region.
This article is adapted from a regional guide originally published on SevenFifty Daily.
Few red wines are better known than those of Chianti, but many consumers might not realize the particular quality and appeal that comes from Chianti Classico DOCG, which is distinct from the broader Chianti region. Chianti Classico has proven to be one of Tuscany’s most famous regions, known for its Sangiovese-based wines.
If you’re wondering what the difference is between Chianti and Chianti Classico, you’re not alone. Many drinkers simply refer to Chianti Classico wines as “Chianti,” but the two are not, in fact, interchangeable. Chianti Classico DOCG is its own distinct region, separate from the Chianti DOCG, with its own production regulations and regulating body. (The word “classico” indicates that this is the historic heart of Chianti production, where the best vineyards sat.) The stricter standards set for Chianti Classico yields higher-quality wines, making this particular region the gold standard for delicious and food-friendly Tuscan reds.
Get to know the ins and outs of this consumer-favorite wine region with our guide to the wines of Chianti Classico.
Geography
Chianti Classico sits in the heart of Tuscany, spread between the cities of Florence and Siena. This is a region of rolling hills, thick forests, and small rivers, with a mild continental climate that brings wide day-to-night temperature swings—perfect for producing full-flavored wines with plenty of acidity.
The Chianti Classico region includes eight communes: Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, and Radda in Chianti, as well as parts of Barberino Tavarnelle, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi, and San Casciano in Val di Pesa. The region also recently approved 11 Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (UGA), or additional geographic units, for Gran Selezione wines.
The soils across Chianti Classico vary greatly, but they can generally be divided into galestro (a schistous clay), albarese (a clay-limestone rock), and fine sandstone. Each gives its own influence to the finished wine. Alberese soils tend to produce wines that are fresh and elegant, with some richness, while galestro creates wines with power and aromatic complexity. Elegance and smooth texture can be found in the wines from sandstone.
History of Chianti Classico
The first written mentions of Chianti wine date to 1398, and historical documents show Chianti was an established red wine as early as 1427. The Chianti Classico DOCG, as it’s known today, was demarcated in 1716 by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III ’de Medici.
Modern regulation of the Chianti Classico area began in 1924, when the Chianti Classico Consortium was founded to protect the quality standards of Chianti Classico wines. Shortly thereafter, in 1932, the addition of the adjective classico was added to all of the area’s wines to distinguish them from generic regional wines.
In 1984, the area was upgraded to DOCG—the highest quality demarcation for Italian appellations. Today, the consortium is made up of nearly 500 members, of which more than 300 bottle their own wines. The Gran Selezione category of wines was added in 2013, and the region began its application to become a UNESCO world heritage site in 2016.
DOCG vs. DOC: Italian wine regions with a designation of origin can be classified as DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) or DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). Of these, DOCG is the higher designation, with stricter rules around viticulture and winemaking. Chianti Classico is one of only 77 DOCGs in Italy.
Key Grape Varieties in Chianti Classico
Sangiovese is king in Chianti Classico. Every bottle must be at least 80 percent Sangiovese, and many producers only use this local Italian grape in their wines.
The key characteristics of Sangiovese wines include:
Some winemakers do choose to blend other grape varieties in their Chianti Classico wines. They could be historical, indigenous grapes, like Colorino and Canaiolo, or international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which became more popular in the region in the 1990s.
Key Styles of Chianti Classico
There are three categories of Chianti Classico wine: Chianti Classico Annata, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. These wines are classified according to their production and aging regimen, so understanding these categories can help buyers understand what style is intended.
- Chianti Classico Annata: Intended for early drinking, rather than long aging, Annata wines are the entry-level tier of Chianti Classico. The wines are usually fresh and fruity, with a minimum of 12% ABV and at least one year of aging.
- Chianti Classico Riserva: The next in the stylistic hierarchy of Chianti Classico, Riserva wines must be aged for at least two years and reach a minimum of 12.5% ABV. Many Riserva wines have noticeable aromas and flavors from oak aging, marrying fresh red fruit with vanilla, smoke, and more structure.
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: This is the highest quality level of Chianti Classico wines, introduced just over a decade ago. Gran Selezione wines must undergo at least 30 months of aging and have a minimum of 13% ABV. These wines must only contain indigenous red grape varieties—so, no Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot—and at least 90 percent Sangiovese. These wines are typically complex and well-structured, with firm tannins and balancing acidity.
Though Chianti Classico has centuries of winemaking history, this traditional region has maintained its spot among consumers’ favorite red wines of the world. To learn even more about Chianti Classico, visit SevenFifty Daily’s full regional guide here.
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