Chianti

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Chianti is an area of Tuscany, Italy made famous by the red wine of the same name. It has much to offer for a visitor interested in wine, food and natural beauty. Many of the wineries are open for a tour and a tasting, and some offer accommodation services as well.

[edit] Cities

[edit] Understand

A view from the Castello di Querceto.
A view from the Castello di Querceto.

Chianti is above all a wine region. The Chianti DOCG appellation is divided into seven subregions (Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and Rùfina), of which Classico is most famous.

The Chianti Classico region in turn is defined by the towns between Florence and Siena: Greve, Panzano, Castellina, Gaiole and Radda. Almost all the famous Chianti estates are located near to one of these towns.

In addition to the red wine, many producers make the dessert wine Vin Santo del Chianti as well as "Super Tuscan" wines that do not adhere to the DOC regulations. Some also make olive oil.

[edit] Get in

From abroad, usually the best way to reach Chianti is to fly to an airport in Tuscany, such as the Pisa airport, or some other major airport in Italy. Alternatively, from Central Europe one might want to take a train to Italy. Once in Italy and preferably in Tuscany, you have to find your way to Florence; this will be easy as the city has good train connections to the rest of the country. From Florence there are several alternatives to get to Chianti: rental car, bus, taxi, etc.

Precise instructions are difficult to give since it depends so much on from where you are departing and exactly where you will be staying (in Florence, in Siena, in Greve, or some other place in the region).

[edit] Get around

Chianti is easiest to explore with a car. The most likely place to begin the trip is Florence, where rental services are abundant. The most important road to know is the Chiantigiana from Florence to Siena, as it penetrates the heart of the region, Chianti Classico.

Without car, the region is accessible with SITA buses from Florence. When in Greve, for example, it is then possible to rent a bike.

[edit][add listing] See

For someone interested in museums, churches and such things it is not necessary to leave Florence or Siena. However, the Chianti area can be an excellent base from which to explore Tuscany as whole without having to stay in these crowded cities. The countryside is beautiful, and absolute gems that should be visited are the hamlets of Montefioralle and Volpaia, and the beautiful towns of Greve, Panzano, Radda and Castellina.

[edit][add listing] Do

The region is an invaluable treasure for those who are interested in exploring the eno-gastronomic culture of Tuscany.

See also: Wine tourism#Italy

With serious competition only from a few neighboring regions in Tuscany and from Piedmont, Chianti is one of Italy's prime wine regions. The best way to tour the wineries and sample their products is on the last Sunday of May when many producers throughout Italy open their doors for the festival of Cantine Aperte. Tastings are free and reservations unnecessary, so if you like wine and happen to be in Tuscany at the time, this is a fantastic opportunity for you. You should however keep in mind that not all the wine produced in Chianti is exceptional and that some of the best producers do not even participate in Cantine Aperte, so it makes sense to plan ahead and be choosy.

Olive groves are also the region's pride, and while it is not normally possible to visit an oil press, olive oil can be purchased directly from the producers. Olives are pressed in November and December and the olio nuovo or new oil, which is very piquant for the first several months, is especially prized on bruschetta and ribollita.

[edit] Wine producers

  • Castelli del Grevepesa, Via Grevigiana 34, 50024 Mercatale, San Casciano Val di Pesa (FI), ☎ +39 055 821911, [1]. A cooperative producer with some good wines for an excellent price. No tours available though. edit
  • Castello di Querceto, Via A. François, 2, 50020 Greve in Chianti (FI), ☎ (+39) 055 85921, [2]. 10.30-17.30. From traditional Chianti to more modern Super Tuscans. Tour and tasting 10 €/person. edit
  • Fattoria Selvapiana, Località Selvapiana, 50068 Rufina (FI), ☎ +39 055 8369848, [3]. One of the best producers in the exciting Rùfina subregion of Chianti. edit
  • Fontodi, 50020 Panzano in Chianti, ☎ +39 055 852005, [4]. Chianti Classico and Super Tuscans. Also olive oil. edit
  • Querciabella, Via di Barbiano 17, 50022 Greve in Chianti FI, ☎ + 39 055 8592 7777, [5]. Award winning Super Tuscans. edit
  • Villa Cafaggio, Via San Martino in Cecione 5, 50022 Panzano in Chianti (FI), ☎ 055/8549094, [6]. Quality producer of Chianti Classico. Visits from Mon to Sat by appointment. edit

[edit] Chianti Wine Tours

  • Chianti Wine Tours, [7]. One of the best ways to get to know the wines of Chianti is to take a private tour with a minibus and driver-guide. In addition to guaranteeing a well-informed commentary, this approach ensures that the vineyards you visit are open when you arrive and means you do not have to "taste" and drive. edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

  • Ristoro Di Lamole, [8]. It has a wide balcony with panoramic views out over the hills, and depending on the time of year you will get a great sunset as you eat. The staff speak good english, and the customers are a mix of locals and Americans, with a few British as well. A starter, main and bottle of local vintage wine will cost around 30 Euros per head, plus tip, and they won't let you leave until you've made a serious dent on the bottle of complimentary limoncello.
  • Villa Bordoni, [9]. Part of the hotel by the same name, the Villa Bordoni restaurant is made up of two intimate rooms which open onto an Italian garden, perfumed by the bouquet of Florentine roses that wind their way along its stone walls. For those who prefer to dine under the stars or watch the sun set slowly behind the Chianti hills, candle-lit tables are dotted amongst the palms and box hedges. In the cooler months, the fireplace is lit to make a crackling fire. The wine cellar is carved directly out of the bedrock upon which the Villa stands. Formerly a dungeon attached to a fortified watchtower, it dates back to the 11th century, and is all that remains of the original structure. Many hard-to-find vintages and Tuscan wine icons such as Querciabella, Fontodi, La Massa and Poggio Scalette are present in the list of reds, whereas amongst the whites there is a strong preference for the northern regions of Alto Adige and Friuli.
  • Restaurant Villa Sangiovese, Villa Sangiovese Our restaurant is located in the hotel of the same name in Panzano in Chianti, an attractive Tuscan hilltown half way between the art cities of Florence and Sienna. In summer one dines in the courtyard with a panoramic view out over the vineyards, olive trees and cypresses of the Chianti hills. Hotel Villa Sangiovese (Restaurant), ☎ +39 055 85 24 61 (fax: +39 055 85 24 63).  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

If you want to go to Chianti, the natural assumption is that you want to drink the wine. It is made with the sangiovese grape, although lesser quantities of other grape varieties may be added. There are different philosophies of making Chianti: some prefer traditional blends with sangiovese and other local grapes (including white ones), some use international varieties such as merlot, and finally there are those who use only sangiovese for their Chianti.

The taste of the wine depends a lot on the producer's decisions, but also on the exact place where the vines are grown. Sangiovese is known as a rather difficult grape to grow, and differences in the land affect the taste of the resulting wine. Traditionally Chianti is a light wine with high acidity with a slightly bitter but fruity taste and berry aromas. As international markets demand high-fruit, high-alcohol wines, Chianti is changing as well, and more modern versions have a fuller, although less recognizable taste.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

  • Castello del Nero (Luxury Hotel Chiantishire), Strada Spicciano, 7 (50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa (Firenze)), ☎ +39 055 80 64 70. 
Castello del Nero Luxury Hotel near Florence, in the heart of Chiantishire

A LUXURY RETREAT IN THE HEART OF CHIANTI

A Small Leading Hotel of the world, Castello del Nero Hotel & Spa is located a stones-throw from the historic cities of Florence and Siena, surrounded by 700 acres of rolling Tuscan hills.

Castello del Nero is the first luxury hotel in the Chianti area to offer you the added indulgence of an exclusive destination spa, making it a perfect choice for any experience; a spa holiday, a romantic honeymoon, a journey into wine and gastronomy, an exceptional wedding venue, a relaxed business conference or simply some private time to relax and revitalise.

Abandon yourself to the magnificence of Castello del Nero and its beautiful surroundings. As each season brings changes throughout the Chianti landscape, different experiences continue to emerge.

FIVE STAR AMENITIES IN HISTORIC SURROUNDINGS

A modern day luxury sanctuary, Castello del Nero is the first property in the region to offer you the absolute latest in modern facilities while maintaining the atmosphere of its historic surroundings.

The grandeur of the past can still be felt through the many frescoes, family crests and vaulted ceilings that adorn many of the rooms and in the midst of it all, our attentive staff offer you unparalleled indulgence at every turn.

Each of our 50 rooms and suites has breathtaking views of the estates olive groves and vineyards, inhabited by pheasant, deer and wild boar.  edit

The agritourism accommodation is usually less expensive than hotels or pensiones and of course provides the facilities for preparing your own meals. Castello del Nero Hotel Chianti

  • Castello di Montalto, www.montalto.it - The historic and charming Castle of Montalto lies in one of the loveliest and most unspoiled parts of the Chianti area of Tuscany, not far from Siena. It is very centrally located for art touring, an excellent home base for sight-seeing, winery visits and exploring hill towns and back roads. Part of the castle and the houses surrounding it are offered directly by the owners as self-catering vacation rental accommodations. The estate has a swimming pool, a tennis court, an ample library, laundry facilities, private gardens and extensive woods for pleasant walks and jogging. There are beautiful vistas over the farmed fields in the valley. Castello di Montalto (Agriturismo), ☎ +39 0577 355675 (, fax: +39 0577 355682).  edit

  • Villa Bordoni, [10], Villa Bordoni, a sophisticated country house hotel, nestles in the grey-green hills immediately above the town of Greve, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. This 16th century noble villa commands an extraordinary vantage point over the unspoiled Chianti hills and their biblical landscape of vineyards, terraced olive groves and forest. Rooms are elegantly decorated and all include LCD TVs, DVD players and broadband internet connection. The gourmet restaurant and its bar open onto the Italian garden, where you can also dine under the stars or watch the sun set slowly behind the Chianti hills. The hotel also offers a panoramic swimming pool and an open-air gym (with a view!)... Villa Bordoni is part of Condé Nast Traveller's 2007 hotlist as "one of the best new hotels in the world"...
  • Palazzo Leopoldo [11] Via Roma, 33 - Radda in Chianti. Situated in Radda in Chianti, hill town that has remained unaltered in its medieval charm, Palazzo Leopoldo is a patrician villa where history, art and modern comforts meet to provide that certain old-world touch.
  • Agriturismo Monaciano [12] Tuscany self catering accommodations into the Chinti hills just 7 km. from Siena with swimming pool, ping-pong and a romantic park. Monaciano has many farmhouses that may comfortably accommodates large families or large group of friends.
  • Gavillaccio, Gavillaccio.it, Loc. Gavillaccio - Gaville - Figline Valdarno - FI - Italy tel. +39 055 9501078 mobile +39 328 0976133 email: arcipelago@gavillaccio.it. Gavillaccio is located in an extremely panoramic area bordering Chianti and is at the centre of an artistic triangle which includes the cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo. Vacationing at Gavillaccio is ideal for those who are interested in complete relaxation in touch with nature and also having the possibility to easily reaching the most important artistic and historical sites of Tuscany and Umbria
  • Ostello del Chianti (Chianti youth hostel), Via Roma, 137 50028 Tavarnelle Val di Pesa FI, PH +390558050265 Fax +390558065039 [5] A clean, comfortable and friendly hostel very convenientely situated right in the heart of Tuscany, within easy reach of Florence, Siena, Sangimignano and the renowned Chianti area. doubles 31,00 euros ensuite 40,00 euros Dorms 14,00 euros
  • Villa Torre Rossa, [13], Villa Torre Rossa, in the Florentine hills, ideal for those looking for an apartment in Florence to spend a quiet and relaxing vacation, surrounded by nature (basically the same atmosphere of a farmhouse with deluxe comforts)
  • Hotel Villa Sangiovese, Villa Sangiovese - is located in Panzano in Chianti, an attractive Tuscan hilltown half way between the art cities of Florence and Sienna. It is a one hour drive to Florence or Sienna, and Florence can also be reached by comfortable pullman bus from Panzano. The hotel opens of the small main piazza of Panzano, Piazza Bucciarelli, and its courtyard and grounds have a panoramic view out over the vineyards, olive trees and cypresses of the Chianti hills. The main structure of the hotel dates from the 15th century and was originally a winery. Over the years it was converted into a villa and is now the main building of our hotel. Hotel Villa Sangiovese (Hotel), ☎ +39 055 85 24 61 (fax: +39 055 85 24 63).  edit

  • Park Hotel Chianti, Park Hotel Chianti - the perfect accommodation to spend a few days of absolute relax, immersed in the charming natural beauty of Chianti hills, surrounded by small lanes, vineyards and endless green fields. The hotel provides outdoor swimming pool with solarium, a relaxing private garden, lunch and dinner in a typical trattoria, free bike hiring service and many interesting activities like wine tour and excursions in the surrounding villages. Park Hotel Chianti (Family run Hotel Accommodation), ☎ +39 055 8070106 (fax: +39 055 8070121).  edit

  • ROSS Hotels - ROSS Hotels Chianti Tuscany The Ross Hotels is a young hotels chain that owns 4 hotels in the most famous italian region of the world: Chianti.

[edit] Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!
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