The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Tuscany

DOCGStill huntingEasy

Chianti DOCG

The big-tent appellation surrounding, but not including, the Classico heartland. Quality runs from simple trattoria red to serious wine, and the subzones matter: Rufina in the cool hills northeast of Florence makes the most age-worthy, mineral Sangiovese in the zone, and Colli Senesi wines are broader and fruitier. Expect tart cherry, dried herbs, and a dusty, medium-grip tannin with fresh acid; the best Rufina riservas add iron, violets, and a long, taut finish.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Chianti, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Fattoria Selvapiana
Chianti Rufina
The best value in the whole Chianti universe, organic, taut and savory with sour cherry and iron; imported by Dalla Terra.
$18 to $24Wine-Searcher
Frescobaldi
Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva
Ubiquitous, reliable riserva with black cherry, leather, and cedar; a fair way to taste Rufina at any supermarket.
$22 to $28Wine-Searcher
Selvapiana
Chianti Rufina Riserva Bucerchiale
Single-vineyard Sangiovese that ages like Classico Gran Selezione, with dried rose, tar, and fine tannin.
$40 to $50Wine-Searcher