|
 This
is the world's definitive wine region, in both history and spirit; these
hills have been an enological center for several thousand years. In fact,
one local grape, the Canaiolo nero--one of the varietals that
traditionally goes into Chianti Classico--was known to the ancients as
the "Etruscan grape." The name Chianti, probably derived from that of
the local noble Etruscan family Clantes, has been used to describe the
hills between Florence and Siena for centuries, but it wasn't until the
mid-13th century that Firenze created the Lega del Chianti to unite the
region's three most important centers--Castellina, Radda, and Gaiole--which
chose the black rooster as their symbol. By 1404 the red wine long
produced here was being called chianti as well, and in 1716 a grand
ducal decree defined the boundaries of the Chianti and laid down general
rules for its wine production, making it the world's first officially
designated wine-producing area. In the 19th century, one vintner, the "Iron
Baron" Ricasoli, experimented with varietals using the sangiovese grape
as his base. Working off centuries of refinement, he eventually came up
with the perfect balance of grapes that became the unofficial standard
for all chianti.
Radda in Chianti - at 11 Kms.
Siena - at 25 Kms.
Firenze - at 50 Kms. |
