What is the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico?
The terms Chianti and Chianti Classico often cause confusion and are often lumped together. "Bring me a glass of Chianti!" - "I'm going on vacation to Chianti this summer!" - "Yesterday our friends served us a glass of Chianti Classico - mhhh!" Sounds similar, doesn't it?
But there is actually a different meaning behind each of these phrases. The difference is clearly defined - and every wine lover should know it. But don't worry, it's not rocket science! With a few basics, you'll be in the picture in no time.
"The Chianti is a geographically defined area within the Tuscanyonly wine from this areaproduced under certain conditions, may call itself Chianti Classico and is labeled at the "Black Rooster" recognizable. Chianti is but also a red wine that produced in several areas of Tuscanybut not in the Chianti region." Nina in Chianti
No more confusion: Chianti and Chianti Classico
But let's start from the beginning. The decisive factor is the origin - and this is where the fundamental difference lies. Let's look at this together and take a closer look at the home of Chianti Classico.
Origin Chianti Classico DOCG - great tradition from a small area
Only red wines produced in the Chianti region under certain conditions are allowed to bear the name "Chianti Classico".
"Chianti" refers to the geographical region in Tuscany, which is bordered by Florence to the north, Siena to the south, the Elsa and Pesa rivers to the west and the Arno Valley to the east. The northern part belongs to the province of Florence, the southern part to Siena. The Chianti region covers a total of 71,800 hectares.
The climate in Chianti Classico is continental: warm summers, cool and damp winters. The vineyards are mostly located between 300 and 700 meters above sea level - higher altitudes are unsuitable for viticulture as the grapes do not ripen optimally there.
The symbol of Chianti Classico is the "black rooster" ("Gallo Nero"). Only where the Gallo Nero can be found on the bottle is it really Chianti Classico. So it's actually quite easy to recognize!
Source: Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Origin Chianti DOCG - large area and great variety
In six provinces of Tuscany - Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Pisa, Pistoia and Prato - red wines with the designation "Chianti DOCG" are produced. If the wine comes from one of the seven sub-zones, it also bears its name:
Chianti Colli Aretini
Chianti Colli Fiorentini
Chianti Colli Senesi
Chianti Colline Pisane
Chianti Montalbano
Chianti Montespertoli
Chianti Rufina
This extensive wine region is characterized by rolling hills, olive groves and vineyards. Geologically, the area consists of various chains of hills and valleys, and the vineyards are mostly between 200 and 400 meters above sea level. The adjacent Tyrrhenian Sea has a significant influence on the climate. Overall, the climate is continental with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
Source: Consorzio Vino Chianti
Chianti Classico vs Chianti: a "deep dive"
We now know that the origin - and therefore also the terroir, i.e. factors such as soil, climate, orientation and altitude - play a decisive role. Tuscany's long wine-growing history has given rise to very different wine styles, philosophies and, in some cases, the use of different grape varieties. This has led to the development of different types of wine with their own production regulations.
Rules for the production of Chianti Classico DOCG
Grape varieties & production Chianti Classico DOCG
At least 80% Sangiovese must be used, 100% Sangiovese may be used, with the 2020 vintage, a minimum proportion of 90% applies to Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, only 10% autochthonous, i.e. native grape varieties, may be added
20% may be added from indigenous or international red grape varieties (with the exception of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione from the 2020 vintage)
White wine varieties are prohibited
Vinification, ageing and bottling must take place within the Chianti Classico region
The maximum yield is limited to 7.5 tons of grapes per hectare
Quality levels, minimum alcohol content and maturity Chianti Classico DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG, minimum alcohol content: 12.0 %, ageing period: 12 months
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, minimum alcohol content: 12.5%, ageing period: 24 months, including 3 months bottle ageing
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, minimum alcohol content: 13.0%, ageing period: 30 months, including 3 months bottle ageing
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Buy Chianti Classico online 🛒
Rules for the production of Chianti DOCG
Grape varieties & production Chianti DOCG
Sangiovese is the main grape variety and must be used for at least 70%, up to 100% Sangiovese is permitted
Autochthonous grape varieties, i.e. native to Tuscany, may contain up to 30%
Grapes of white wine varieties are limited to a maximum of 10%
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon together may not exceed 15%
Vinification, bottling and ageing must take place in the defined production area
The subzones (see Chianti DOCG origin) may only be named if the wine was produced entirely in the subzone and the grapes were harvested and vinified within the respective subzone
Maximum yield of 9 tons per hectare
Quality levels, minimum alcohol content and maturity Chianti DOCG
Chianti DOCG and subzones Chianti Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane and Montalbano , minimum alcohol content: 11.5 %, no prescribed ageing period
Chianti Superiore DOCG and subzones Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Rufina and Montespertoli, minimum alcohol content: 12.0 %, no prescribed ageing period, but longer than for Chianti DOCG, not permitted in the Chianti Montespertoli subzone
Chianti Riserva DOCG, minimum alcohol content: 12.0%, in the Chianti Montespertoli sub-zone 12.5%, 24 months ageing time (including at least 3 months bottle ageing).
My summary Chianti vs. Chianti Classico
Chianti and Chianti Classico are distinguished by their different origins and production regulations. These are merely the technical background for their respective characteristic taste profiles. Chianti Classico is based much more heavily on Sangiovese, which allows the typical characteristics of this grape variety to be expressed particularly clearly: a strong structure, fine tannins and a present acidity.
The current trend is also moving in this direction, increasingly producing Chianti Classico from 100% Sangiovese or at least to further increase the proportion of Sangiovese. This leads to more powerful wineswhich, thanks to the terroir - characterized by slopes, woodland and optimal orientation - have a higher density, pronounced fruit and often a somewhat cooler character.
Nina in Chianti
"Chianti Classico is my great passion! This red wine from the heart of Tuscany has been with me for over twenty years - it is far more than just a wine for me, it is my profession, a piece of home and pure joie de vivre."
Chianti DOCG, on the other hand, is produced in various subzones, often in warmer areas with higher yields. This tends to result in lighter wines, some of which are more geared towards mass production. Quality awareness is not as pronounced here as in Chianti Classico. Nevertheless, there are also small, committed winegrowers in the Chianti region who produce excellent wines and are an asset to the region.
📍Both terms, Chianti and Chianti Classico, are located in Tuscany
📍Chianti is an area in Tuscany with a precise geographical definition
🍷 Chianti Classico is a red wine that can only come from the Chianti region
🍷 Chianti is also a red wine that can come from other regions of Tuscany