Long before the book and movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” glorified the ethereal beauty of rural Tuscany, visitors have poured into this part of Italy to experience another type of splendor: the wine of the Chianti region. Although Chianti is not a city, and there are no clearly visible borders to the area defined as Chianti, you are there if you are near the charming towns of Castellina, Gaiole or Radda. These cities and the surrounding hills outside of Florence are characterized by fertile fields where the grapes grow that are eventually pressed into Chianti wine.
No visit to Tuscany is complete without a Chianti wine tour, and no Chianti wine tour is complete without trying different types of Chianti wine, including the exclusive Chianti Classico. Chianti Classico is distinguished by a black rooster on the label, which does not represent a particular brand but rather indicates that its producer is part of the Chianti Classico Consortium. There is, of course, a story behind the gallo nero label, which dates back almost 1,000 years to the feud between Florence and Siena. If your tour guide does not tell you, be sure to ask!
One day trips in Tuscany are ideal if you are staying in one of the bigger cities like Florence or Siena and wish to explore the natural beauty of the landscape beyond the city walls. Grapes have been cultivated in Chianti since the Etruscan era, well before the existence of the Roman Empire. The climate is temperate and the soil conditions are ideal for growing grapes. The beauty and productivity of the terrain has contributed to its value, leading to centuries-long competition among cities for control of Chianti.
Chianti is derived primarily (and sometimes exclusively) from Sangiovese grapes. Originally, there was a “recipe” for Chianti developed by Baron Bettino Ricasoli who was the head of what was then the Kingdom of Italy. That blend included 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo and 15% Malvasia bianca grapes. There are still strict regulations for which bottles of wine may be labeled Chianti and Chianti Classico, but these days Sangiovese usually makes up an even higher percentage of the blend. Wine tasting tours allow visitors to taste the difference between regular Chianti wine, which is aged between 4 to 7 months, and Chianti Riserva, which is aged for 38 months.
Whereas once Chianti was instantly recognizable by its unique basket-covered bottle, modern makers of the wine prefer more standard container shapes. Nonetheless, the taste along with its colorful history distinguish Chianti from other Italian wines, as you will learn during Chianti wine tastings. For private day trips Tuscany tours can be arranged in advance.