| One of the hottest destinations in the booming tourist | | | | Greve remains the most recent. |
| towns of Italy is Chianti. Among other reasons, Chianti | | | | DOC 's spread and acceptability at the time of its |
| has come to represent the one-stop spot of | | | | entry into wine scene reached a crescendo that was |
| Tuscany's wines. Known to all and sundry is Chianti, | | | | overwhelming in 1967 .Tuscany region was not left out |
| Italy's most popular brand for wine. It derived its name | | | | of this phenomenal feat. This led to the Chianti wine |
| from the Tuscany region. It usually comes in its | | | | region gaining more territory. Other areas being |
| characteristic squat bottle covered by a straw basket | | | | harnessed on all fronts by this are Siena for the Colli |
| called 'fiasco' (flask) which is less used nowadays. | | | | Senesi, Florence for the Colli Fiorentini, Arezzo for the |
| Most of these traditionally shaped wine bottles are | | | | Colli Aretini and Pisa for the Colline Pisana with Rufina |
| quite affordable with one bottle selling at a little less | | | | being an exception. Some parts of what is known |
| than one American dollar. | | | | today as Colli Fiorentini was renamed Montespertol in |
| However the prices of some sophisticated ones are | | | | 1996. |
| very expensive but still not out of the reach of the | | | | However 1970 saw the drill down in the production of |
| average tourist. Chianti has many bars for visitors and | | | | white grapes in the Chianti region. This eventually led to |
| holiday enthusiasts who wish to enjoy nightlife in the | | | | the legalization of wine production that is 100% |
| town. As for those who preferred the outdoor life, you | | | | Sangiovese which implies no grape extract. This wine |
| can go down any of Chianti's hideaways to have a | | | | s may come with a rooster like image at the neck of |
| feel of the natural world especially if you are a pair on | | | | the bottle indicating that the producer is part of the |
| a romantic getaway. Chianti is one place to be if you | | | | Gallo Nero consortium. These consortium stands for |
| are out to get value for your break or holiday. It is the | | | | an association of wine producers of the Classico |
| stop for all seasons and more with the dishes and | | | | region. Old Chianti wines usually 38 months old are |
| wines which are readily available. | | | | referred to as Riserva. Chianti wines having lower |
| The first definition of a wine-area called Chianti was | | | | yield, higher alcohol content and dry extract are |
| made in 1716. It described the area nearby the villages | | | | commonly known as Chianti "Superiore". |
| of Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti and Radda in | | | | Another widely respected brand of wine are the Italian |
| Chianti; the so-called Lega del Chianti and later | | | | reds. Compared to other popular red wines the Italian |
| Provincia del Chianti (Chianti province). In 1932 the | | | | reds hold the ace when it comes to their distinct tarter |
| Chianti area was completely re-drawn. The new | | | | taste, higher acidity and aroma. Red wines are named |
| Chianti was a very big area divided in seven | | | | after the regions procuring them unlike the French |
| sub-areas. The old Chianti area was then just a little | | | | ones which are named after the grapes used in |
| part of the Classico area, being the original area | | | | making them. Different varieties of grapes not easily |
| described in 1716 about 40% of the extension of the | | | | found in other parts of the world are used in making |
| Classico sub-area and about 10% of all Chianti. | | | | these wines. Notable amongst these preferred wines |
| Most of the villages that in 1932 were suddenly | | | | mainly due to their simple sipping are Valpolicella, |
| included in the new Chianti Classico area added | | | | Chianti, Barolo and Merlot. Rondinella, Corvina and |
| immediately or later in Chianti to their name (the latest | | | | Molinara are the three different varieties of wine |
| was the village of Greve changing its name in Greve in | | | | usually blended together to produce excellent red wine. |
| Chianti in 1972). The existence of the Chianti region | | | | Chianti and Valpolicella wines are named produced in |
| came into being around the 16th century. This region | | | | region of the same name where the latter is |
| comprises of other villages such as Gaiole, Castellinna | | | | essentially a lighter wine. The Barolo is quite distinct |
| and Radda 1932 showed the complete re-organization | | | | from the other two because its derived only from one |
| of the Chianti area. These new are, big in land mass | | | | variety of grape know as the Nebiolo. Merlot is noted |
| was divided into seven lesser areas namely: Classico, | | | | for its simplicity. Tuscany produces a wide range of |
| Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi | | | | Italian red wines. They are usually very relatively |
| and Montalbano. Former Chianti was just a tiny part of | | | | expensive and yet affordable. These Italian red wines |
| the Classico area during the 1700s. The 1900s | | | | can be bought from online stores, exclusive outlets or |
| witnessed the addition of newer villages in which | | | | any of the stores which sells them. |