Generous Tuscan Chianti
Villa Le Barone has specially selected for you the best of Chianti wines for the best years of production. Selection is based on criteria of pertainance to the Chianti region, ongoing product quality year over year, full product range of Chianti Classico, Riserva and IGT, reasonable prices and - of course - taste! Some of the best wines on our wine list:
= Fontodi www.fontodi.com
= Fonterutoli www.mazzei.it
= Riseccoli www.riseccoli.net
= Molino di Grace www.ilmolinodigrace.com
= Lamole di Lamole http://www.lamole.com/en/
= Cafaggio http://www.italyandwine.info/chianticlassico/villacafaggio.htm
= Panzanello http://www.panzanello.it/
Chianti ?
Chianti is a wine producing region, divided in seven sub-regions, out of which Chianti Classico (6 490 ha between Florence and Siena, Panzano being the centre) is the most renowned: Chianti Classico can only be produced only with grapes grown within this small area. Outside of this area, one can have Chianti, but not 'classico'. Chianti Classico is made with at minimum 75% of Sangiovese grapes. Chianti produces White and Rosé wines, but the Chianti Classico denomination is only permitted for Reds. Classico can be drunk best from 2 to 5 years after vinification.
Chianti Classico 'Riserva' has a richer taste than Chianti Classico, is generally produced only with red grapes and is kept longer in vats, barrels or barriques before being commercialized. Approximately 20% of Chianti Classico becomes 'Riserva'. Riserva can be drunk best from 5 to 15 years after vinification.
Super-Tuscan is a generalized name for wines, raised within or without the Chianti Classico region using:
=non traditional grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and/or Syrah)
=mix of different grape types: 100% Sangiovese, or Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon, or Cabernet-Merlot, ...)
=non traditional vinification processes (ageing in newly made French barriques)
Contrarily to Chianti Classico, no legal specification exists for Super-Tuscans. Many Super-Tuscans use the IGT (Typical Geographical Origin) certification.
The Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) label certtifies that the bottler of the wine belongs to the Chianti Classico consortium and is a guarantee of enological quality and taste.