The origin of Chianti Classico

The Chianti region

The Chianti Classico wine-growing region has a long and eventful history: the first documentary references date back to 1398. In 1716, Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, officially defined the boundaries of Chianti by decree. This was the first legally valid document to define a wine-growing region. Today, only wine originating in this precisely defined area between Florence and Siena may bear the name Chianti Classico.

On July 31, 1932, the same area that is still valid today was defined by decree. The Chianti Classico area comprises the region of Tuscany bordered by Florence to the north, Siena to the south, the Pesa and Elsa rivers to the west and the Monti del Chianti to the east. In total, the region encompasses the entire municipal areas of

• Castellina in Chianti,

• Gaiole in Chianti,

• Greve in Chianti,

• Radda in Chianti

and partly the territories of

• Barberino Val d'Elsa,

• Castelnuovo Berardenga,

• Poggibonsi,

• San Casciano Val di Pesa,

• and Tavernelle Val di Pesa.

70,000 hectares of wine paradise

In total, this vinophile paradise between Florence and Siena covers an area of around 70,000 hectares. Around 10,000 hectares of this are planted with vines. 7,200 hectares are registered in the DOCG register for the production of Chianti Classico. This makes the Chianti Classico appellation one of the most important in Italy. On average, around 35 million bottles of Chianti Classico are produced every year. The wine is exported to more than 50 countries around the world. Graphics provided by Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico