The Chianti Region of Tuscany

Chianti is a region of about three hundred square kilometres, nestled between the towns of Siena and Florence. Entirely hilly, it varies in aspect from the severe and harsh to the sweet and soft, covered in neat rows of vines, green forests or stony meadowland with olive groves and sparse oak trees. The light is quite astounding - no view ever seems to be the same from one hour to the next and on clear days you can see forever: on misty days the light  filters colours and objects as though through a silken veil, and you seem to be living in a Renaissance landscape.

Interspersed in this landscape are castles: some still occupied by the noble families whose ancestors built them in the feudal middle- ages; others - ruined, perhaps in battle centuries ago, and abandoned - still dominate their hilltops with proud arrogance.

 

There are numerous hill towns and hamlets, villas and farmhouses, guarded by sentinel cypresses, by people who may make their living tending the vineyards, or have already made more than a living and have retired to beautiful old houses.                 

Chianti is a major Italian wine-growing region and is also known throughout the world for exceptional food. For anyone wanting an authentic Italian holiday, surrounded by the splendid Tuscan countryside it is a must.                              

 

The main towns are: Anchiano, Castelfiorentino, Certaldo, Cetona , Chianciano Terme, Fiesole, Gambassi Terme, Greve in Chianti, Molin del Piano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Panzano in Chianti, Pienza, Terme, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Gimignano, Sarteano, Siena and Vinci. 
                                                                         
Many wines are produced in the region, with its wonderful combination of climate, soil and four special grapes: The Sangiovese and Canaiolo (black) and the Malvasia and Trebbiano (white). These grapes give Chianti wines their notable dry, full-bodied character with a bouquet like violets. There are so many good wines, it is worth trying some to discover your favourite. Call in at farms and estates and ask to taste the wine; the owners will be happy to let you and, if you buy, the price will almost certainly be less than you would pay in the shops. 

 

Protected by the Fine Arts Commission, Chianti is unspoilt and will remain so, but it has such an active agricultural and viticultural life that there is no danger of its sinking into a museum-like tourist attraction. 

A truly unending source of culture, history, scenery, architecture, tourist attractions, gastronomy and wines, the Sienese part of the territory contains the ancient towns of this land: Radda, Gaiole and Castellina (the old Chianti League), as well as Castelnuovo Berardenga . In fact, here lie the defence lines of the Republics of Siena and Florence, which have scowled at each other over hill and dale, through woods and vineyards for centuries!