Celebrate National Chianti Day – Friday 5th September

A Brief History of Chianti

Long before the modern wine world knew the word Chianti, and around the year 900BC, an ancient civilisation known as the Etruscans were planting vines across the hills of Tuscany. They were true pioneers, carving terraces into the landscape, carefully selecting soils, and even trading their wine as far afield as France and the Mediterranean. The Romans may have brought their own flair to viticulture, but it was the Etruscans who laid the first foundations of Tuscany’s winemaking heritage.

By the 14th century, the word Chianti was being used to describe wines from this special part of Tuscany. In 1716, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici officially demarcated the Chianti region, making it one of the world’s first legally recognised wine zones. Today, Chianti enjoys the highly respected DOCG status, which ensures the quality of the wine reflects its historic status. 

Many of us still picture those squat, straw-wrapped bottles called fiaschi. While they’ve largely given way to sleek modern bottles, they remain a nostalgic symbol of Italy’s love affair with this timeless red.

The Soul of Chianti – Sangiovese

At the heart of Chianti lies the Sangiovese grape, Tuscany’s star variety and the grape that gives Chianti its unmistakable character. Expect bright red-cherry flavours, lively acidity, deep colour and a savoury, earthy edge that makes it the perfect food partner.

The name Sangiovese is thought to come from the Latin sanguis Jovis, meaning “the blood of Jupiter.” Quite fitting, considering this grape has been central to Tuscan life for over two millennia. 

Why We Love It

Chianti isn’t about fuss or formality. It’s about flavour, friendship, food, and of course sun!! Nothing beats the image of sitting back with friends on a late summer's afternoon enjoying a glass with the rolling hills of Tuscany gently hazing in the background. 

So this National Chianti Day, why not raise a glass to Tuscany’s most famous red? From its Etruscan beginnings to its modern DOCG prestige, Chianti is a wine that continues to embody the warmth and soul of Italy.