Chianti is Italy's most famous wine, and—given its operatic recent history—it is arguably the most Italian of Italian wines. Chiantis have the added virtue of being superb food wines and are especially well-suited to the flavors of winter. ...

What is special about Chianti wine?

Sangiovese is Chianti's heart and hero. Its calling card is mouthwatering acidity, a transparent ruby hue and flavors of black and red cherry. Further accents of violets, herbs, spice and earth are common in this dry red.

When should you drink Chianti?

Chianti wine is best served chilled but not cold. Try to get it down to a temperature of 55 to 60 °F (13 to 16 °C) before you serve it.

Is Chianti a healthy red wine?

Sangiovese grapes are good for you

Nowadays, science points to the powerful antioxidants in red wine. Grape skins are rich in antioxidants and the Sangiovese grapes used to make Chianti are no exception. ... That's why red wine contains more antioxidants than white.

Is Chianti easy drinking?

Chianti: Very dry, medium-bodied, moderately tannic wine with lovely tart-cherry flavor, mainly from Sangiovese grapes grown in the Chianti area of Tuscany. ... Lighter examples are smooth and easy to drink; the best wines are concentrated and denser in texture. From the Montepulciano grape, in the Abruzzo region.

A wine-lover's guide to Chianti | The World of Wine

45 related questions found

Is Chianti sweet or dry?

Chianti Classico is a dry, red wine made only in a specific part of Tuscany in central Italy.

Is Chianti heavy or light?

Chianti. This classic Italian wine is one of the most popular reds in America. Light and dry, it is made primarily with the Sangiovese grape and derives its name from the region of Tuscany in which it is produced.

Is Chianti considered cheap?

Back in the 1960s and '70s, Chianti was synonymous with plonk; it was the cheap, insipid Tuscan wine that came in straw flasks (fiascos, as they were aptly known) and was typically found, on these shores, in pizza joints with checkered tablecloths and jukeboxes. ...

What is a really good Chianti?

Chianti Rufina, while the smallest subzone of the bigger region, is also generally regarded as the next best tier of quality. The Rufina area offers winemakers a slightly higher elevation and a bit cooler climate which helps influence the flavor of the grapes.

Am I an alcoholic if I drink 2 glasses of wine a night?

Does this mean that if you drink two glasses of wine a night you're a little bit alcoholic? Absolutely not. People metabolize alcohol differently. ... "Some people can have two glasses of wine a night and not suffer consequences.

Should I refrigerate Chianti?

Serve a Glass of Chilled Chianti

A lighter-bodied red wine such as Chianti should be served on the chilled side for optimal taste. This temperature helps keep the acidity down and create a smoother finish to the aftertaste effect. For the best taste, keep your Chianti at 55°F – 60°F.

Should you breathe Chianti?

It's always a good idea to allow Chianti to breathe, I suggest a good eight hours in an opened bottle at room temperature. ... Straight out of the bottle Chianti will seem flat and very acidic, but let it breath and you'll have a totally different experience, and a very enjoyable one at that.

How can you tell a good Chianti?

Chianti Classico, which is the international symbol of fine Italian wine, boasts a very respectable pedigree.
...

1. Look for “Gallo Nero”: the black rooster. The logo distinguishing this wine must be on the neck band or back label. ...
2. The production area. ...
3. The indication of type.

What is Chianti in English?

: a dry usually red wine from the Tuscany region of Italy also : a similar wine made elsewhere.

Is Chianti high in tannins?

Sangiovese

Sangiovese dominates Chianti, often accounting for 100% of the wine. Its reputation as being perfect for pairing with food is based largely on the fact that it is highly tannic and able to stand up to bold flavors without issue.

What is Chianti wine similar to?

Merlot and Shiraz are the best alternative wines similar to Chianti. Chianti is a region in Tuscany, and by the wine “rules,” a bottle must contain at least 85% Sangiovese to be called a Chianti. Merlot and Shiraz usually are made with grapes that have similar qualities to Sangiovese.

Is Chianti bad wine?

'The real, authentic Chianti', with 'poor quality, juicy, fuity wines' may be damaging the region's reputation, he said. 'Perhaps because of this, Chianti has been overtaken by other wines and styles in the last 40 years. '

What is a good cheap Chianti?

Wine Press: 8 Great Chianti Wines For Under $10

• 2017 Gabbiano Chianti ($5.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)
• 2017 Ruffino Chianti ($9.99 at Table & Vine)
• 2016 Vendemmia Renzo Masi Chianti ($8.99 at Table & Vine) (Highly Recommend)
• 2017 Giulio Straccali Chianti ($6.99 at Table & Vine)

What is difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?

The difference is that Chianti and Chianti Classico are separate appellations. ... The main grape in both appellations is Sangiovese. In Chianti Classico, the wine must be made from at least 80 percent Sangiovese grapes. In Chianti, only 70 percent needs to be Sangiovese.

Why is Chianti wrapped in straw?

Blanched straw wrapped around these iconic bottles served two purposes: easy-to-blow–over round bottles could now stand up straight, and the baskets added protection during shipping. ... In short, fiaschi were cheap and easy–like most elements of early Chianti.

Is Chianti Classico healthy?

Chianti is a complex, luxurious tasting wine hailing from the Chianti region Italy. Consumed in moderation, it produces a number of health and beauty benefits that range from slowing the growth of cancer cells to keeping your hair on your head.

What is Chianti served in straw covered bottle?

A fiasco (/fiˈæskoʊ/; Italian: [ˈfjasko], plural: fiaschi) is a typical Italian style of bottle, usually with a round body and bottom, partially or completely covered with a close-fitting straw basket. The basket is typically made of sala, a swamp weed, sun-dried and blanched with sulfur.

What is a really good Italian red wine?

The Best Italian Red Wines of 2020

• Brovia 2016 Garblèt Suè (Barolo); $92, 99 points. ...
• Franchetti–Passopisciaro 2018 Contrada R Nerello Mascalese (Terre Siciliane); $90, 98 points. ...
• Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2015 Brunello di Montalcino; $50, 97 points.

What is the weakest red wine?

Lambrusco. The common winemaking method for Lambrusco makes it the lightest red wine on our list. In fact, if you want to nit-pick, Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest of them all.