Chianti!

So far I have made two videos about Chianti The first one talks about Sangiovese the principal grape of Chianti and that it can be found in a multitude of named regions in Italy. Sangiovese is the main grape in: Chianti, Brunello, Morellino di Scansano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Each of these regions has its own typical style and the geography of each region plays a part in the resulting wine.

Chianti is by far the most famous region that produces the bulk of the Sangiovese that you see on the market and it has the most complicated set of rules with geographical sub regions and defined aging terminology on the label. Chianti Classico is the heartland of the region, reservas have to be held for at least two years before sale.

Brunello di Montelcino is found entirely within the sub region of Colli Senesi produces the greatest examples of Sangiovese that see the longest aging requirements (either in large slovakian oak botti, or small french oak barriques) with further time in bottle at the winery. Rosso di Montalcino does not have the stringent aging requirements, but hails from the same region.

Morellino di Scansano, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, are two regions further afield that also have a tradition of planting, and producing quality wine from Sangiovese.

That is not to say that Sangiovese planted in non-traditional locations on the Italian Peninsula do not produce high quality wines The Maremma Toscana is one such recently developed region that is a consistent source of high quality wines.