Chianti

Chianti: hills, wine and much more

Chianti is one of the best known areas in all of Tuscany. Many when they think of the Tuscan countryside imagine the gentle and sinuous hills of Chianti with their vineyards that extend as far as the eye can see. Chianti does not have a clear border and in this regard a distinction must be made between Chianti and Chianti Classico by making a small historical excursus.

In 1384, in the midst of hostilities between Florence and Siena, the Florentine republic established the Lega del Chianti which included the territories of Gaiole, Radda and Castellina which in fact constitute the original core of the Chianti Classico. Taking a leap forward of almost 4 centuries, we come to 1716 when Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici officially established the boundaries of the Chianti wine production area. It is an area that develops entirely between the provinces of Florence and Siena made up of the municipal areas of San Casciano Val di Pesa, Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Barberino Tavarnelle, Poggibonsi and Castelnuovo Berardenga.

Over time, the fame of Chianti wine became bigger and bigger, so this wine began to be produced even outside the area delimited in 1716, also calling it Chianti. For this reason, in 1932 the distinction was created between Chianti Classico which is the area delimited in 1716 and Chianti which includes the other production areas.

Chianti is the ideal place to enjoy the flavors of Tuscan cuisine accompanied by a glass of red wine but in addition to wine and good food there is much more… This is a land of castles, parish churches, monasteries and picturesque villages.

The castles of Chianti, often centers of wine production, are among the most beautiful in the region. How not to mention the magnificent Castello di Brolio, the Castello di Meleto or the Rocca in Castellina in Chianti? The ancient ecclesiastical centers are certainly no less. The Badia a Passignano, the Pieve di Sant’Appiano, the Badia a Coltibuono and the Pieve di Spaltenna are just a few examples. Among the hamlets, in addition to the main centers, there are a series of real gems such as Montefioralle and Vertine. We can continue citing the Chianti Sculpture Park and continue for hours citing the thousand things to see and do in Chianti.