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