Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico See Toscana (historic center) map, ref #4

469690989-Tuscan hills and vineyards

Region:
History: Established as a subzone of the Chianti DOC in 1967, which became a DOCG in 1984; Chianti Classico became a separate DOCG in 1996
Vineyard Area: 5,455 ha / 13,474 acres (2017)
Production: 252,000 hl / 2,800,000 cases (2018)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
RED WINES
  • Rosso (Rd): Minimum 80% Sangiovese (locally Sangioveto) + OARG
  • Riserva (Rosso)
  • Gran Selezione (Rosso)

Significant Production Rules:
  • 177406391-Autumn in ChiantiMaximum vineyard elevation: 700 m (2,300 ft)
  • Grapes for Gran Selezione can be harvested only from the winery’s own vineyards
  • Minimum alcohol level: 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for Riserva; 13.0% for Gran Selezione
  • Residual sugar: Maximum 4 g/l (0.4%)
  • Aging: For Rosso, minimum approx. 1 year (ERD = October 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 24 months, including 3 months in bottle (ERD = January 1, V+3); for Gran Selezione, minimum 30 months, including 3 months in bottle (ERD = July 1, V+3)

Last Disciplinare Modification: 03/07/2014

Note: The top category for Chianti Classico wines—Gran Selezione—was approved by the Italian agriculture ministry in February 2014, for qualifying wines from the 2010 vintage onward (and for a few wines from earlier vintages by special approval), although it still has not been approved officially by the EU.