Tuscany is a popular wine travel destination. Through Brunello, Vino Nobile and above all, of course, Chianti, the region has experienced a real boom. This then culminated in the "Super Tuscans" and led to ever higher prices and ever more uniform barrique wines. It was precisely this development that disappointed more and more Italy lovers and the boom died down.
Off the beaten track |
But finding the "right" Tuscany and its typical wines is not that difficult. You just have to leave the familiar paths and drive a bit along the winding narrow roads through the hills of Florence, in Italian: "Colli Fiorentini". You can still find them there, the friendly winegrowers with "real" wines, first-class olive oil and very often also rooms or holiday flats in the wonderful old buildings - and all that at quite affordable prices.
A little history
Where does Chianti actually come from? Originally, there were actually relatively few hectares in a very clearly defined area of the municipalities of Radda, Gaiole and Castellina. Gradually, Chianti came from almost all the municipalities from Siena to Florence and Arezzo. So in the 1930s, it was decided to allow the core area to be called "Classico". It was not until 1963 and 1967 that the current designations of origin, the nine DOC areas, were enshrined in law; the DOCG came in 1984.
Colli Fiorentini
Chianti Colli Fiorentini: Like a round "M" on the "Classico" area |
Because of the predominance of the better-known regions, most winegrowers here bottle only a portion themselves and deliver the rest in barrels to large wineries in the classic towns. Prices are low, a bottle of Chianti Colli Fiorentini is usually available from the farm for between 4 and 7 euros. Prices for olive oil and accommodation are also moderate.
About 860 hectares on mostly relatively steep hills, at 150-420m above sea level, with sandy-stony to calcareous soils are mainly planted with red wine. Besides the main variety Sangiovese, one finds Canaiolo, Colorino, the white varieties Malvasia and Trebbiano as well as the "international" varieties Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot.
A little technical information
Sangiovese - the main variety for Chianti |
Chianti Colli Fiorentini is presented from 1 September of the year following the harvest. The Riserva has to mature for two years (calculated from the 1st of January of the year following the harvest), of which at least 6 months in barrel. For more details: www.chianti-collifiorentini.it
During our visit, even the two extreme vintages of 2002 and 2003 were on a good level, and the barrel samples of 2004 suggest a great, fruity and elegant vintage. The focus of all the wineries is on Chianti, but they also offer quite pleasing red wine cuvées, though often with a lot of wood.
Particularly recommendable wineries:
Ugo Bing, Fattoria di Fiano in Certaldo
www.fattoriadifiano.it
Malenchini, Fattoria Lilliano in Grassina
www.malenchini.it
Bartolini Baldelli, Fattoria di Bagnolo, Impruneta
www.bartolinibaldelli.it
Fattoria Le Sorgenti, Bagno a Ripoli
www.fattoria-lesorgente.com
Lanciola, Carla Guarneri, Pozzolatico
www.lanciola.net
Castello di Poppiano, Conte Gucciardini, Montespertoli
www.contegucciardini.it
Castelvecchio, San Casciano, Val di Pesa
www.castelvecchio.it
Tenuta La Cipressaia, Montespertoli
lacipressaia@leonet.it
Fattoria Baggiolino, Scandicci
www.baggiolino.it
Fattorie Giannozzi, Barberino Val d'Elsa
fattoriagiannozzi@hotmail.com