Chianti Classico Diaries
The first delineation of Chianti came about in 1716 and it described the areas surrounding Gaiole, Castellina and Radda, making Chianti one of the first appellations of the world. In 1932 the area was further divided into seven sub-areas, and one of these areas is what we know today as Chianti Classico.The current Chianti Classico delimitation includes nine different comunes in central Tuscany: Radda in Chianti, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Castellina in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti (Panzano), Tavernelle Val di Pesa, Poggibonsi, and San Casciano Val di Pesa. Today, the spectacular Chianti Classico DOCG appellation produces some of the finest wines in Italy and the world. But the hilly, undulating region is vast and this means tremendous geological and climatic variations from one comune to another. These variations result in wines of diverse character.In a world where appellations can be as specific as vineyards (think Burgundy) it is hardly surprising that producers in Chianti Classico are discussing further delimitations. This series covers each comune showing the towns and visiting 20+ different estates. It includes interviews with owners, enologists and members of the Chianti Classico Consorzio. It looks at their wines, their comunes, the history and the future of Chianti Classico.Chianti Classico Diaries
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Chianti Classico’s Top Designation Ups Wine Game Amid Rule Changes
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
Chianti Classico is taking its wine region to new levels this year on the back of some amazing quality bottles of Gran Selezione and by revising its wine production rules. We take a closer look, and rate over 300 Chianti Classicos!
Chianti Classico Diaries: Panzano
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
It’s the finale of our Chianti Classico Diaries. We’ve heard from so much from so many producers from all the nine comunes of the area: What makes their area unique, how this is reflected in their wines, why the consumer needs to understand this. Above all, we hope to have
Chianti Classico Diaries: Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Poggibonsi
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Of all the comunes of Chianti Classico, the two we’ll meet in episode eight are without a doubt the least known of all: Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Poggibonsi. Given their relative obscurity, we thought it a good idea to group them together. Most of the land in these two
Chianti Classico Diaries: Greve in Chianti
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
As we enter the last episodes of Chianti Classico Diaries before next week’s finale, we meet arguably the quintessential comune of Chianti Classico: Greve in Chianti. Not only is it the largest comune in Chianti Classico, home to around 15,000 people, but it’s also the most popular with tourists. As
Chianti Classico Diaries: Radda in Chianti
Thursday, July 23, 2015
In episode six we meet two wine producers with quite different philosophies in the comune of Radda in Chianti, the geographically central commune of Chianti Classico. The first is Giovanella Stianti, owner of Castello di Volpaia. Volpaia is a “castello” or castle in the sense of being a fortified village,
Chianti Classico Diaries: Castelnuovo Berarderga
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Welcome to Episode V and welcome to Castelnuovo Berardenga. As one of the larger comunes of Chianti Classico, we thought we better visit three of the top producers and see what they have to say. Castelnuovo Berardenga sits right on the northwestern edge of Chianti Classico, and Giuseppe Mazzocolin of
Chianti Classico Diaries: Castellina in Chianti
Saturday, July 4, 2015
In episode IV, we’re off to the western side of Chianti Classico visiting the commune of Castellina in Chianti. You’ll see that in the village (remember that each commune is a village as well as a larger surrounding area) most of the fifteenth and sixteenth century architecture still survives, but
Chianti Classico Diaries: Gaiole in Chianti
Thursday, July 2, 2015
In our third instalment of “Chianti Classico Diaries” we visit the commune of Gaiole in Chianti. The commune can be found on the far east of Chianti Classico, and is one of the smallest in terms of population with only around 2,000 inhabitants. First up you’ll meet Roberto Stucchi, whose
Chianti Classico Diaries: San Casciano in Val di Pesa
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
In the second episode of “Chianti Classico Diaries” we visited the northern commune of San Casciano in Val di Pesa. This commune is only 15 kilometers south of Florence, making it the closest one to the famous Tuscan city. San Casciano sits at a medium altitude –compared to other communes–