The Chianti area has been one of the most important wine producing regions in Italy for over two centuries. It was the family of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Lopold I that began cultivating grapes during the 18^th and 19^th centuries in the region that would become modern Chianti.

The best time of year to visit Tuscany (Toscana) is at harvest time in September, or just before harvest to see the vines bowing heavily with ripening Sangiovese grapes – the variety that is responsible for making Chianti Classico. During September most towns in Chianti celebrate the Sangiovese harvest with wine festivals such as the Vino al Vino held on the third week in September (17-19) in the small town of Panzano in Chianti, where many local wines can be sampled by the glass.

Here you will find a guide to some of the most popular wine festivals and wineries to visit during a trip to the Chianti region.

Wine Festivals

(second week in September)
Rassegna del Chianti Classico
A festival for the Chianti Classico. Friday from 17.00 – 22.00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 – 22.00
Location: Greve in Chianti

Feste dell’uva
This is a wonderful festival in the pretty village of Vagliagli. There will be a parade and dancing, lots to eat and drink. It is an excellent typical village festival and we recommend that you see it. The website is www.festadelluvavagliagli.it, unfortunately it is all in Italian but there are many photos to give you an idea of the atmosphere at the festival.
Location: Vagliagli

Radda in Chianti

Radda in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 35 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km north of Siena.

Volpaia  – www.volpaia.com

Albola – www.albola.it

Gaiole in Chianti

Gaiole in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km northeast of Siena. The American magazine Forbes named it number one in its list of “Europe’s Most Idyllic Places To Live.”

The Chiantigiana (SR 222) is one of the most scenic and charming motoring routes in Italy, running directly south from Florence to Sienna cutting through the heart of the Chianti Classico wine zone. The road sweeps around rolling Tuscan hills and past thousands of hectares of vineyards, all producing outstanding Chianti Classico DOCG (the highest classification of Chianti). For a truly inspiring tour along Chiantigiana road, make time to visit some of the ancient towns of Chianti and surrounding wineries:

Brolio – www.ricasoli.it

The name Ricasoli has been linked to wine since 1141, when Brolio Castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family. The family tree, reproduced in a print from 1584, is also one of the first images we have of Chianti. You can book wine tastings for small or large groups at the Brolio wine shop: an exciting way to learn about and appreciate the Chianti Classico area through its most representative wines.

Greve in Chianti

Greve is a principle market town 31km south of Florence (Firenze). The Franciscan monastery is still at the heart of the old part of the city, as is the triangular main piazza, where a market has been running more or less continuously for centuries serving the nearby castle communities and hamlets.

Wineries to visit:

Verrazzano – www.verrazzano.com

Vignamaggio

Villa of Vignamaggio dates back to the 14th century and the winery produces around 230,000 bottles of wine every year, divided between Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, I.G.T. and Vinsanto del Chianti Classico DOC. They offer pre-booked guided tours of their gardens and wine cellars, including a wine tasting and lunch. Their shop is open daily for free wine and oil tastings.

Panzano in Chianti

A small town with Etruscan origins, Panzano is situated on the Chiantigiana road between Castellina and Greve. Panzano Castle, built between the 11^th and 12^th centuries, nestles at the highest part of the town and the hike through the cobbled streets is well worth it.  The piazza is charming and a perfect place to watch the elderly men play cards, sip a Prosseco or enjoy homemade gelato.

Wineries to visit:

Le Fonti

A charming boutique family run winery nestling at the foot of Panzano village. The winery is open for cellar tours and tastings Monday to Friday from 10 – 12 and 2 – 6pm and produces superb IGT and Chianti Classico DOCG.

Fattoria Montagliari

A small family owned and run farm that has been producing wine using the most traditional methods since 1720. The Migliorini family, bought Fattoria Montagliari in 1999 and produce Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti Classico Riserva, Brunesco di San Lorenzo IGT, Grappa, Brandy, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and aged Trebbiano Balsamic (20 and 28 years). There is also a fantastic restaurant with genuine Tuscan cooking and breath-taking views over the Greve valley.

Wine Festival: Vino al Vino – 17-19 September

Castellina in Chianti

Castellina in Chianti has historic and noble origins -in the 13th century it was built on a high ridge, probably over Roman ruins. It has a 14th-15th century character with a number of religious structures, including the parochial church of San Salvatore.

Wineries to Visit:

Gagliole – www.gagliole.com

Villa Trasqua
With 50 hectares under vine producing Chianti DOC and IGT wines, Villa Teraqua also boasts 10 hectares of olive trees. They offer guided visits to the cellars; tasting of Chianti Classico and Toscana rosso Trasgaia IGT for just 20 euros per person.

Wine Festival: The Grape and Wine Festival, Sinalunga, Piazza Garibaldi – third week of September

Wine tip- It’s all about temperature

When buying a bottle of Chianti ask the merchant what the vintage (year) was like (was it a hot or cool summer?), in order to gauge the wine’s aromatics. Temperature has an immense impact on the ripening of the grapes during the last weeks prior to harvest and is the key to determining the final aromatics of the wine. In the case of Chianti if temperatures are on the cooler side, the resulting wine will be fresher, more aromatic and abundant in fresh fruit flavours such as cranberry, cherry, and raspberry. If the season finishes with warmer temperatures, the wine will be dominated by plummy, prune-like characteristics.

Tuscan Villas in Chianti wine region

To make the most of the region’s excellent wine and local ingredients, go native and pretend you’re Italian by hiring a villa so you can cook up an Italian feast for friends and sip wine on the veranda.

• Villa Bernardi – Panzano in Chianti

A beautiful and spacious Tuscan farmhouse property situated on a hillside outside of the village of Panzano. The property dates back to the 11th Century and has been restored carefully to retain its original features and character. Laid out over 4 levels, this property is ideal for family groups with plenty of space to gather. The saltwater swimming pool is reached by a stone path across the lawn and enjoys views across the Chianti countryside. Sleeps up to 10 people and costs from £6552 per week

• Docciolina – Greve in Chianti

A traditional villa with beautiful views from the gardens and large swimming pool, which it is accessed from the terrace in front of the villa by some stone steps. A perfect spot to enjoy the Tuscan hills and sip wine from your terrace. The property sleeps up to 8 people and costs from £1502 a week.

• Panorama at Cornino – Castellina in Chianti

A spacious villa in the Hamlet of Cornino overlooking the Chianti hills, Panorama provides a peaceful retreat close to the town of Castellina. This beautifully restored property is surrounded by olive groves and unforgettable views. The property sleeps 3 people and costs from £546 per week.

To Tuscany has a wide choice of villas in Italy to choose from throughout the Tuscan wine regions. Visit www.to-tuscany.com to see a selection of properties and check availability.

In the course of centuries, the Trollinger has developed into a popular Wurttemberg speciality and is thus considered the national drink of Swabians. A wine of hearty character, it is enjoyed with the solid and robust local meals.

Be it a Swabian snack or a special Sunday meal, perhaps a ragout of Schurwald angus beef in its lovely Trollinger sauce, served with vegetables and the potato speciality known as Schupfnudeln, Trollinger will complement all kinds of good food.

This Wine Available at German Wine Store

It was originally brought to the region by French monks as far back as the 8th Century and contributed to the renoun of the Neckar Valley’s wines.

Nowadays, Clevner is cultivated around the Heilbronn region where it is carefully nurtured with much love and attention, even though yields are low. It produces fine wines of a beautiful, subdued red colour, tender bouquet and full body.

The Samrot is a mutation of the Schwarzriesling which it ressembles in character. Its fine acidity lends it a dignified elegance; Samtrot literally translates as “red velvet”. This is a festive wine par excellence.

This Wine Available at German Wine Store

Weissberbst must be made from one single grape variety which gives the wine a taste all of its own with a great deal of character suitable for drinking on a wide variety of occasions. In principle any red variety grown in Wurttemberg can be vinified as Weissherbst.

The classic local fish dish of char and octopus served with a lemon butter sauce will partner Weissherbst made from Schwarzriesling particularly well.

The history of pressing red and white grapes together goes back many centuries and traditionally any grape can be used. This means that Schillerwein is a multi-faceted style which offers many different, yet harmonious flavours

Generally the style is light and fresh making the wine well suited to many dishes such as pockets of veal stuffed with leeks and served with a sage sauce — a traditional local speciality of italian origin.

On a different level Schillerwein is excellent as a summer drink mixed with cool mineral water served as a thirst quencher on very warm days.