Chianti Classico
Mediterranean
The historic heart of Chianti between Florence and Siena, marked by the black rooster and built on Sangiovese.
Overview
About Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico is the original Chianti zone, first defined by a decree of Cosimo III de' Medici in 1716, and it is quite distinct from the much larger Chianti DOCG. Its symbol, the Gallo Nero (black rooster), appears on the neck of every bottle. The main towns include Greve, Radda, Gaiole and Castellina.
Wines must be at least 80% Sangiovese. In the 19th century, Baron Bettino Ricasoli of Brolio wrote down a well-known 'recipe' for the blend, and more recently white grapes have been banned. Wines show sour cherry, dried herbs and a firm, savoury structure.
Chianti Classico is marked on the map.
Italy
Shaded: Firenze, Siena. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Mediterranean
Moderate, warm and dry summers, cool nights and mild winters. Vineyards sit at 250 to 600 metres, which brings cool nights and helps preserve Sangiovese's acidity.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Galestro (a friable schistous clay) and alberese (a hard, compact limestone), in hilly ground. Different soil types across the zone are behind its stylistic variation.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Chianti Classico is a DOCG with three quality tiers that rise with ageing and, at the top, estate-grown fruit.
Gran Selezione
The top tier, introduced in 2014: at least 30 months' ageing, from the estate's own grapes.
Riserva
At least 24 months' ageing, of which three are in bottle.
Annata
The entry tier, at least 12 months' ageing. The 'annata' simply means the vintage wine.
Geographic subzones (UGAs)
Eleven named subzones, approved in 2021, may be added to Gran Selezione labels.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.