Chianti wine: an insider guide to Tuscany’s iconic red

The 10 best Chianti wine bottles according to experts

To help you get started, our team has selected 10 of the best Chianti wine bottles rated by the experts. Every bottle covers different vintages and price points but all highlight all the qualities that have made this wine an Italian icon.

Chianti wine taste at a glance

Attribute	Details
Grape Variety	Sangiovese (minimum 70-80%), often blended with Canaiolo, Colorino or Cabernet Sauvignon
Origin	Chianti region, Tuscany, Italy
Serving Temperature	60-65°F
Decanting	Recommended especially for Riserva and older vintages
Aging Potential	Typically 3-8 years but Riserva can age for over 15 years
Flavor Profile	Bright red cherry, red fruits, dried herbs, earthy notes and spices
Structure	Medium tannins, medium acidity and balanced body
Alcohol Content	Between 12% and 15%
Ideal Glass	Medium sized Burgundy glass or a standard red wine glass
Food Pairing	Pasta with tomato sauce, grilled meats, aged cheese and roasted vegetables
Top Communes	Chianti Classico: Radda, Greve, Castellina, Gaiole, Barberino Tavarnelle Chianti DOCG: divided into subzones that cover several provinces in Tuscany
Notable Producers	Castello di Ama, Marchesi Antinori, Fontodi, Ruffino, Castello di Monsanto, Altiero

Loved for its freshness and drinkability, Chianti wine taste is defined by juicy red fruit at the very first sip, and then come the deeper notes that add more character and complexity.

Let’s break down the Chianti taste profile:

• Red cherry: the dominant note in most Chianti wines
• Wild berries or strawberry: adding freshness and a tart edge
• Dried herbs: such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary, for a rustic touch
• Earthy notes: like dry leaves, forest floor especially in aged bottles
• Black pepper and clove: subtle spice enhanced by oak aged

Don’t forget to let the wine breathe! Chianti, especially Riserva, reveals much more flavor after decanting.

What is Chianti wine and how is it made?

Chianti Wine is a well rounded and adaptable red wine from Tuscany, defined by strict production rules and made mostly from Sangiovese grapes. Producing Chianti follows traditional winemaking steps for red wines but with specific variations required by DOCG regulations.

Let’s take a look at how it is made:

• Harvesting: grapes, mostly Sangiovese, are picked at full ripeness.
• Fermentation and maceration: the grapes ferment with their skins in stainless steel or concrete tanks.
• Pressing: after fermentation, the wine is separated from the solids.
• Aging: this is where DOCG rules make a big difference.
• Grape composition: Chianti must contain at least 70% Sangiovese, with the option to include other local or international grapes in small percentages.
• Bottling: after aging, the wine is clarified, possibly filtered, and bottled under strict controls.

Tip: check for the iconic black rooster on the bottle! A guarantee that you are holding a true Chianti Classico.

Chianti wine grape: Sangiovese and beyond

According to DOCG regulations the primary Chianti wine grape is Sangiovese. This grape is often blended with other varieties like Canaiolo, Colorino or most famous Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 

Different types of Chianti are distinguished mainly by the percentage of Sangiovese and aging time which influence the wine’s flavor and structure.

Here are the main types:

• Chianti red wine: at least 70% Sangiovese, minimum aging of 3 months.
• Chianti Riserva: at least 70% Sangiovese, aged at least 24 months.
• Chianti Classico wine: at least 80% Sangiovese (even 100%).
• Chianti Classico Riserva: at least 80% Sangiovese, aged at least 24 months.
• Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: at least 80% Sangiovese, aged at least 30 months, made from the best grapes.

Popular Chianti wine brands: DOCG icons and producers

To help you navigate the vast Chianti region and wineries, our team has selected 5 of the best Chianti wine brands. At the top of the list is Castello di Ama, renowned for producing some of the finest Chianti Classico wines. Our choice is the notable 2020 Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista Gran Selezione.

Below are four other renowned producers, each recognized for their quality and dedication to producing the best wine from Chianti. 

Chianti wine price breakdown: how much is a bottle?

While you will not typically find bottles priced in the thousands, Chianti wine price can still vary widely depending on the type of bottle you are looking for. 

The Chianti wine cost can increase based on several factors:

• Type and classification: Chianti Classico wines, Riserva, and Gran Selezione differ in aging and quality, affecting their price.
• Producer reputation: well known wineries or historic estates often command higher prices.
• Region within Chianti: wines from renowned subzones like Chianti Classico or Chianti Wine Ruffino usually cost more.
• Limited production: smaller batches or single vineyard selections often come at a premium due to rarity.

Here’s a table featuring some good Chianti wine, their producers, and price ranges from accessible to high end:

1. 1. Chianti Rufina Lastricato Riserva 2015 - Castello Trebbio

   

   Tasting notes: Notes of tart red fruit, dried herbs, fennel, balsamic and tobacco

   Entry-Level Chianti

   From: $30-50

2. 2. Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2016 - Castello di Gabbiano Chianti wine

   

   Tasting notes: Red berries and citrus notes with spicy and vanilla hints

   Mid-Tier Chianti

   From: $50-100

3. 3. Riserva Ducale Oro Gran Selezione 2018 - Ruffino Chianti Wine

   

   Tasting notes: Fruity notes of cherry and plum, tobacco and chocolate

   Single-Vineyard

   From: $100-200

4. 4. Chianti Classico Colonia Gran Selezione 2010 - Fattoria di Felsina

   

   Tasting notes: Notes of violet and rhubarb with pleasing earthy fruit

   Prestige / Collector Bottles

   From: $200-500

Top 3 Chianti wine bottles worth collecting

While it may not reach the prestige of Italy’s most elite wines, wine Chianti still finds a place in collectors’ cellars, especially when it comes to rare and high quality bottles.

What makes certain labels collectible?

• Gran Selezione or well-aged Riserva editions
• Limited production or anniversary releases
• Esteemed producers from the Chianti Classico zone
• Exceptional vintage years

Here are our expert picks of the 3 top Chianti wine bottles worth collecting:

Chianti wine vintage chart: what years are the best?

When we talk about vintage Chianti bottles, we are not just referring to an old wine, but also to the climatic conditions that defined that specific vintage. The Chianti wine vintage chart shows us how weather conditions have a strong impact on the grapes and ultimately, their quality.

A great bottle does not always come from decades ago! The quality of recent vintages, such as 2019, shows how climatic conditions affect the outcome of an excellent wine.

We have selected the best vintages recognized by the experts, helping you choose bottles with excellent aging potential.

Vintage	Recommended Barolo	Vintage Characteristics
2015	Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 2015 – Fattoria di Felsina	Hot summer with little rain and balanced rains in August. Rich, harmonious and long-lasting wines.
2008	Casanova Il Puro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2008 – Castello di Volpaia	Intermittent rain affected overall quality, but the finest wines remain fresh, elegant and clean.
2001	Chianti Classico Vigneto Bellavista 2001 – Castello di Ama	Hot summers and crops pushed to maturity, vivid tannins and well defined structure.
1998	Ducale Chianti Classico Riserva – Ruffino	Balanced climate, perfect ripening, with fragrant, harmonious and medium bodied wines.
1985	Villa Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 1985 – Marchesi Antinori	Warm vintage of great performance. Good levels of ripeness and concentration for aging.
1971	Chianti Classico Riserva 1971 – Badia a Coltibuono	Typical Tuscan climate with hot summers and good excursions, which favored slow ripening and soft tannins.

Chianti wine for beginners: a newcomer’s guide

Chianti is a fresh, vibrant red that is easy to enjoy, even for those approaching red wines for the first time. A young Chianti Classico wine is ideal to start with! Here are a few simple tricks on how to choose and enjoy Chianti wine for beginners:

• Open the bottle at least 30 minutes before tasting.
• Check Chianti ABV level to start with something lighter.
• Serve it at a temperature 60-65°F.
• Choose a wide goblet.
• Pair it with simple dishes.
• Avoid overly spicy or sweet dishes, which would cover its balance.

Not sure which Chianti wine bottle to pick first? Here are our recommendations:

Chianti Style	Our Recommendation	Best to Pair with
Young Chianti (under 5 yrs)	Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 – Marchesi Antinori	Pasta with tomato sauce, pizza, grilled chicken
Mature Chianti (10+ yrs)	Chianti Rufina Riserva 2011 – Selvapiana	Braised beef, Aged pecorino, wild boar ragù

Which wine glass is ideal for Chianti wine?

As with many great red wines, Chianti is at its best when enjoyed in the right glass. This allows the wine to open up, releasing its aromas and enhancing its body and structure. The ideal Chianti wine glass is tulip shaped, wide at the bottom and slightly closed at the top, perfect for channeling the aromas and promoting oxygenation of the wine.

Chianti wine region: rolling hills and wines to remember

Chianti takes its name from the land where it was born, a place full of history in the heart of Tuscany, between Florence and Siena. Today the Chianti wine region covers about 70,000 hectares of vineyards, making it one of Italy’s largest and most important wine areas.

Italian wine Chianti comes with an important distinction between zones:

• Chianti Classico area: the historic core, famous for its strict quality and the Black Rooster label.
• Chianti DOCG area: covers Chianti Classico zone and the surrounding areas.

Let’s dive into the most famous communes known for producing Chianti:

• Greve in Chianti: known for its rolling hills and historic markets, it’s the commercial heart of Chianti.
  Try a classic: Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna del Sorbo 2008 by Fontodi
• Radda in Chianti: famous for producing elegant, high-altitude Chianti Classico wines with bright acidity, fine tannins, and strong aging potential.
  Try a classic: Chianti Classico Castello di Radda Riserva 2010 by Azienda Agricola Castello di Radda
• Gaiole in Chianti: famous for bold, rich Chianti wines with great aging potential.
  Try a classic: Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021 by Barone Ricasoli
• Castelnuovo Berardenga: produces refined, complex Chianti Classico with smooth tannins.
  Try a classic: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Rancia 2021 by Felsina
• Barberino Tavarnelle: offers fresh, vibrant Chianti with a good mix of tradition and modern style.
  Try a classic: Chianti Classico Riserva 2004 by Fattoria Casa Sola

Wines like Chianti: comparing Brunello, Barolo and Amarone

If you enjoy bright acidity, medium body and signature cherry and herbal flavors, you’ll probably want to try some wines like Chianti. Styles like Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo and Amarone are great alternatives!

Below are some examples of wine similar to Chianti that you might want to try, with a description of their styles and what makes them different (or similar):

Wine / Main Grape	Wines Like Chianti	Wine style
Brunello di Montalcino	Brunello di Montalcino 2019 – La Gerla	Full bodied and well structured. Tuscan wine crafted entirely from 100% Sangiovese grapes.
Barolo	Barolo Tradizione 2019 – Marchesi di Barolo	Rich, velvety, and full bodied with intense dried fruit. Crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes from Piedmont.
Amarone	Amarone Classico 2020 – Allegrini	Made with a blend of native grapes in Veneto. Rich, full bodied, made from dried grapes.

3 Simple tricks to serve Chianti wine like a pro

To truly appreciate every nuance of your glass of Chianti, serving it the right way makes all the difference. It only takes 3 simple tricks to bring out the best aromas of this wine:

1. Store Chianti in a cool, dark place at around 55°F.
2. Serve at 60-65°F to highlight its flavor.
3. Decant mature Chianti for 1/2 hours to reveal deeper aromas.

A small additional detail: hold the glass by the stem, not the bowl: your hand’s heat can alter the wine’s temperature!

Chianti wine food pairing: the soul of Italian dining

If you are looking for a wine that pairs well with Italian food, Chianti is the best choice. But it’s not limited to that! Thanks to its natural freshness and lively acidity, it pairs beautifully with a wide range of dishes, from classic Italian recipes to simple everyday meals.

For some delicious ideas of Chianti wine food pairing, take a look at the table below:

Food	Best Chianti Bottle	Aged	Type & Structure
Grilled Chicken, Roast Rabbit, Chicken Curry	Marchese Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 – Marchesi Antinori	1-2 years ABV 14%	Firm and bright, long, complex aftertaste
Cured Meats and Tuscan cold cuts	CeniPrimo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021 – Barone Ricasoli	5+ years ABV 15%	Fresh, medium bodied, fruity and balanced
Steak, Roasts, Braised, Wild Boar Ragù	Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva 2021 – Fattoria di Felsina	5+ years ABV 14%	Bold, structured and tannic
Aged Cheese, aged Pecorino, Parmigiano Reggiano, aged Gouda	Il Picchio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2018 – Castello di Querceto	5-7 years ABV 13,5%	Rich, complex, long finish
Pasta, Lasagna, Risotto, Eggplant Parmigiana	Chianti Classico 2020 – Isole e Olena	1-2 years ABV 14%	Medium to full bodied with an array of round, velvety tannins