After it first reached commercial distribution in the early s, Sassicaia became the first of the Super Tuscans we now know and love. Thanks to those new blends, wine lovers started to reconsider the merits of Sangiovese. The Consorzio Vino Chianti , the governing body that regulates what makes a Chianti a Chianti, also tightened the reins. Its scent and taste will remind you of forest fruits, cherries and strawberries, and you might even notice smoke, balsam, or woodsy aromas. It also stands up well to grilled protein, long, slow roasts, or even meaty burgers.
Trying Chianti at the table for the first time? Pour it alongside spaghetti bolognese, hearty lasagna, veal braciole, or even a roast leg of lamb. Salty, assertive cheeses like Pecorino, Parmesan, and Romano also cut through the richness and prep your taste buds for the next bite — and sip. Of all Italian tipples, it is the Chianti that is best known and loved all over the world. The grape itself is very thin skinned so the wines produced from it have a translucent finish.
If you close your eyes as you take a sip, its classic flavour really could be described as Italy in a bottle. A Chianti can be aged anything from six months to 2. It seems that perhaps you can be all things to all people…. Interesting fact: The Sangiovese grape has a long and distinguished history. It is believed to have been cultivated in the times of the Roman Empire and has been mentioned and recorded as far back as the sixteenth century.
Chianti is to food like Puccini is to opera and, for these delicious and robust wines, their perfect match is no one single thing. Top tip: Our cooking class day tours to a Tuscan farmhouse are the perfect opportunity to learn some of the authentic recipes of the region so you can replicate them at home! Ready, steady, cook!
And open those bottles. Of course, the absolute classic pairing is with the iconic pasta dishes. But, as mentioned above, it is a particularly good complement to tomato-based sauces, so there are lots from which to choose. Bolognese: Mama Mia, this joyous pairing will have you falling in love at first bite — or slurp if you use spaghetti!
Lasagne: The rich red sauce of a traditional Tuscan lasagne marries perfectly with the acidic finishes of a Chianti and makes for magic in your mouth. Another perfect match is pizza — but not just any pizza!
True Italian pizzas are light, rustic and bursting with flavour from their simple yet delicious toppings. The classic Margherita is the ideal complement for the wine, with its aromatic tomato base and simple delicate topping of basil and cheese.
Remember, if you want to learn how to make the perfect Italian pizza at home, our cooking classes are the way to do it! I started my tour at the Casa de Chianti Classico , a former monastery outside Radda in Chianti, which the Consorzio uses to educate visitors to the region.
Valerio Marconi, head of sales and previously oenoligist at Cinciano , near Poggibonsi, says the ongoing confusion dampens sales. I already have a Chianti. I then have to explain that Chianti Classico is not the same thing.
Cinciano is all you feel a Chianti Classico winery should be. A beautiful location in a former 12th century hamlet, complete with medieval stone road leading up to it, it offers stunning views over the countryside.
The current owner took over in and undertook massive renovation. A tasting of these wines available in the UK through Gastronomica — shows clear definition; the Annata is well made with lots of character, and fruit drawn from a variety of vineyards. The Riserva is very vibrant, aged in large oak barrels for between months, whilst his Gran Selezione is different again, full on and supple but with its best years very clearly ahead of it. These are great and well priced wines and full of local character.
Just around the corner, Castello di Monsanto shows another face of Chianti Classico. This beautiful property with impressive cellars and vintages dating back to certainly looks the part, and some of the older wines are great.
Yet the wines they understandably show me and other visitors here are current vintages.
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