The Bordeaux of Italy

Chianti wine

The filled SPIEGELAU Vino Grande Bordeaux glass and Mineral Water Glass on a laid table. On the plates there are matching soup plates and besides them is cutlery and bread.<br/>

Discover the character and history of this beloved Italian red wine. We'll even include some food pairing suggestions so you can enjoy a glass of Chianti at its imperious best.

What is Chianti wine?

Chianti (pronounced 'kee-an-tee') is a red wine blend from Tuscany, Italy, that is produced in the Chianti and Chianti Classico wine regions. Chianti wine is primarily made from the sangiovese grape varietal - Italy's most widely planted grape, typically comprising upwards of 70% of the grapes used to make Chianti. Other grapes used in the blend include the native Italian grapes canaiolo and colorino, plus cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Some white grapes were once permitted to be used when making Chianti, but that is no longer the case.

Prevalent aromas in Chianti wine include red fruits, dried herbs, and hints of citrus. In the bouquet of the wine, leather, balsamic, and tobacco notes can often be found. Younger Chianti wines display a fresher, more fruit-forward aroma, while aged Chiantis that have been given time to develop extra complexity typically exhibit a more prominent bouquet.

With sangiovese being a high-tannin grape, Chianti is known for being medium to full-bodied, while the thin skin of sangiovese grapes gives Chianti wine a pale red, ruby-like color. They typically have a moderate alcohol level, medium to high acidity, and an overall vibrant mouthfeel.

Four SPIEGELAU Lifestyle red wine glasses on a wooden table. One of them is filled with red wine.<br/>

The history of Chianti wine

The first Chianti wine zone was officially established in 1716 in what is now called the Chianti Clasico region. The wine proved popular and grew in prominence and production over the next two centuries, with the Italian government creating the Chianti Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in 1967 - a quality standard that aims to guarantee that wines be produced in a specific region with strict regulations.

In 1984, this went a step further, with the Chianti appellation receiving Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status - Italy's highest form of wine classification. In 1996, the more elevated Chianti Classico-producing region, which lies in the heart of the more sprawling Chianti region, split from Chianti and became its own DOCG, resulting in two DOCGs lying in the same wider area. This distinction reflects some fundamental differences between Chianti and Chianti Classico wines, with Chianti wines typically being more structured, complex, and better at aging, and Chianti DOCG wines often being slightly softer and more fruit-forward.

Today, Chianti and Chianti Classico wines both place among Italy's most revered wines, alongside the likes of Barolo, Amarone, and Brunello di Montalcino. In terms of sales volume, Chianti is second only to Lambrusco, highlighting the wine's considerable success and prominence in the wine world both in terms of quality and popularity.

The aging potential of different Chianti wines

Chianti wines vary considerably in their aging potential, ranging from vibrant, fruit-forward wines that are best enjoyed fresh to wines that benefit from years of maturing to allow more complex flavors and aromas to develop. Here's a brief overview of the differing aging potentials of some prominent Chianti wines:

  • Most standard Chianti DOCG wines are aged for 6 months and are best enjoyed fresh, though they often can hold for a few years once bottled.
  • Chianti Classico and Chianti Superiore wines are both aged for a year before being sold, allowing them to develop more prominent tertiary aromas than regular Chianti wines. Once bottled, these wines can further age for several years.
  • Chianti Riserva displays an even more complex profile, having been aged for two years. These wines have a subsequent aging potential of up to 15 years.
  • Chianti Gran Selezione is produced only in the Chianti Classico DOCG and has the longest aging and aging potential of any Chianti wine. These wines are aged for at least 2.5 years before being sold and can then age further for 15 to 20 years when stored properly.
Six SPIEGELAU Definition Bordeaux glasses, two of them are filled with red wine, stand on a table.<br/>

Tips for enjoying your Chianti

Selecting the appropriate glassware

When enjoying a glass of Chianti, we recommend sipping it from one of our Spiegelau Bordeaux glasses from our Definition, Hi-Lite, or Authentis collections. The large bowl on these glasses allows Chianti's earthy qualities to develop, while the slightly tapered opening helps Chianti's red fruit flavors leave a long, sweet finish on the palate. When pouring your wine, fill your wine glass to about one-third of the way, giving you ample space for swirling and aeration so you can enhance your Chianti's aromas.

Food pairing suggestions

The best way to sip Chianti alongside food is to indulge in the full Italian experience and pair it with tomato-based dishes that match Chianti's acidity. A few examples of dishes that will pair nicely with a smooth glass of Chianti include:

  • Beef ragu, which stands up well against Chianti's bold structure.
  • Pepperoni pizza, which can complement Chianti's smokey, peppery notes.
  • Vegetable lasagne, which can complement the dried herb notes found in Chianti.

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SPIEGELAU Definition SPIEGELAU Hi-Lite SPIEGELAU Authentis

With a broad growing region, Chianti wines can vary in character and aging potential, allowing them to please the palates of a wide variety of wine enthusiasts. Whether you enjoy a decades-old Chianti Classico Gran Selezione or a fresh, easy-drinking Chianti Montalbano, all Chianti wines represent a region and wine that is deservedly revered worldwide.

For more information on specific wines and grapes, check out our gouais blanc, furmint, and pinot noir blogs.