Title: 
The Chianti Region: Wine And Territory

Word Count:
812

Summary:
One of the hottest destinations in the booming tourist towns of Italy is Chianti. Among other reasons, Chianti has come to represent the one-stop spot of Tuscany’s wines. Known to all and sundry is Chianti, Italy’s most popular brand for wine. It derived its name from the Tuscany region. It usually comes in its characteristic squat bottle covered by a straw basket called ‘fiasco’ (flask) which is less used nowadays. Most of these traditionally shaped wine bottles are quite af...


Keywords:
tuscany accommodation, chianti vacation rentals, tuscany villas


Article Body:
One of the hottest destinations in the booming tourist towns of Italy is Chianti. Among other reasons, Chianti has come to represent the one-stop spot of Tuscany’s wines. Known to all and sundry is Chianti, Italy’s most popular brand for wine. It derived its name from the Tuscany region. It usually comes in its characteristic squat bottle covered by a straw basket called ‘fiasco’ (flask) which is less used nowadays. Most of these traditionally shaped wine bottles are quite affordable with one bottle selling at a little less than one American dollar.

However the prices of some sophisticated ones are very expensive but still not out of the reach of the average tourist. Chianti has many bars for visitors and holiday enthusiasts who wish to enjoy nightlife in the town. As for those who preferred the outdoor life, you can go down any of Chianti’s hideaways to have a feel of the natural world especially if you are a pair on a romantic getaway. Chianti is one place to be if you are out to get value for your break or holiday. It is the stop for all seasons and more with the dishes and wines which are readily available.

The first definition of a wine-area called Chianti was made in 1716. It described the area nearby the villages of Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti and Radda in Chianti; the so-called Lega del Chianti and later Provincia del Chianti (Chianti province). In 1932 the Chianti area was completely re-drawn. The new Chianti was a very big area divided in seven sub-areas. The old Chianti area was then just a little part of the Classico area, being the original area described in 1716 about 40% of the extension of the Classico sub-area and about 10% of all Chianti.

Most of the villages that in 1932 were suddenly included in the new Chianti Classico area added immediately or later in Chianti to their name (the latest was the village of Greve changing its name in Greve in Chianti in 1972). The existence of the Chianti region came into being around the 16th century. This region comprises of other villages such as Gaiole, Castellinna and Radda 1932 showed the complete re-organization of the Chianti area. These new are, big in land mass was divided into seven lesser areas namely: Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi and Montalbano. Former Chianti was just a tiny part of the Classico area during the 1700s. The 1900s witnessed the addition of newer villages in which Greve remains the most recent.

DOC ‘s spread and acceptability at the time of its entry into wine scene reached a crescendo that was overwhelming in 1967 .Tuscany region was not left out of this phenomenal feat. This led to the Chianti wine region gaining more territory. Other areas being harnessed on all fronts by this are Siena for the Colli Senesi, Florence for the Colli Fiorentini, Arezzo for the Colli Aretini and Pisa for the Colline Pisana with Rufina being an exception. Some parts of what is known today as Colli Fiorentini was renamed Montespertol in 1996.

However 1970 saw the drill down in the production of white grapes in the Chianti region. This eventually led to the legalization of wine production that is 100% Sangiovese which implies no grape extract. This wine s may come with a rooster like image at the neck of the bottle indicating that the producer is part of the Gallo Nero consortium. These consortium stands for an association of wine producers of the Classico region. Old Chianti wines usually 38 months old are referred to as Riserva. Chianti wines having lower yield, higher alcohol content and dry extract are commonly known as Chianti "Superiore".

Another widely respected brand of wine are the Italian reds. Compared to other popular red wines the Italian reds hold the ace when it comes to their distinct tarter taste, higher acidity and aroma. Red wines are named after the regions procuring them unlike the French ones which are named after the grapes used in making them. Different varieties of grapes not easily found in other parts of the world are used in making these wines. Notable amongst these preferred wines mainly due to their simple sipping are Valpolicella, Chianti, Barolo and Merlot. Rondinella, Corvina and Molinara are the three different varieties of wine usually blended together to produce excellent red wine.

Chianti and Valpolicella wines are named produced in region of the same name where the latter is essentially a lighter wine. The Barolo is quite distinct from the other two because its derived only from one variety of grape know as the Nebiolo. Merlot is noted for its simplicity. Tuscany produces a wide range of Italian red wines. They are usually very relatively expensive and yet affordable. These Italian red wines can be bought from online stores, exclusive outlets or any of the stores which sells them.