What type of wine is chianti?
The primary grape of Chianti is Sangiovese. It is medium bodied with a solid, dry texture and a tannic backbone that are particularly suited with food pairing. There are different levels of Chianti wine, the first being simply labeled Chianti. These are inexpensive every day drinking wines. The next level is Chianti Classico, which was developed/labeled by the Chianti Classico Consortium in 1924 to protect the quality of its wines. A hallmark of the wine is the small black rooster that appears on the neck of every bottle of Chianti Classico. In 1996 Chianti Classico received its own DOCG classification (separate from Chianti). This designation brings additional requirements such as Chianti Classico can use 75 to 100 percent Sangiovese. But Chianti Classico can use up to 15 percent of other red grape varieties such as Colorino, Malvasia Nera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot, as long as they are grown in the Chianti district. Ordinary Chianti can use a maximum of 10 percent of othe
