No visit to Tuscany would be complete without enjoying a Tuscany wine tasting or tour. Tuscany is synonymous with wine. And if you’re searching for the very best Tuscan wines, then look no further than Chianti Classico. The Chianti Classico region is widely considered to be the ultimate wine region anywhere in Italy, never mind just in Tuscany. The area conjures up images of rolling hills and picturesque woods, dotted with vineyards and olive groves.
Where is the Chianti Classico region for your Tuscany wine tasting?
Chianti Classico is situated in the heart of Tuscany, in the area that stretches between Florence and Siena.Ā There are fiveĀ āin Chiantiā Tuscan villages that fall within this territory. These include Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Panzano in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti and Castellina in Chianti. No Tuscany holiday would be complete without enjoying a Tuscany wine tasting in at least one of these! The area also partly includes other villages such as Barberino Tavernelle, Poggibonsi, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Castelnuovo Berardenga. In total the Chianti Classico region covers an area of around 170,000 acres. It can also boast more than 130 wineries which officially welcome visitors keen to enjoy a Tuscany wine tasting.
One thing that it is important to understand is that Chianti Classico is distinct from Chianti. Both are celebrated Tuscan wines but the two appellations are independent and separate. Chianti wines are grown in a much wider area that extends beyond the borders of Chianti Classico. Since 2010, it is forbodden to make Chianti wines within the Chianti Classico wine region.
What wines will you try during your Tuscany wine tasting in the Chianti Classico region?
Chianti Classico wines are red wines. The main grape used is the Sangiovese grape. You will see different levels of wine. The Chianti Classico VintageĀ must have been aged for at least 12 months. Chianti Classico Riserva wines must have been ages for at least 24 months from the date of the harvest. And three of these months must have been spent in the bottle. Finally, Chianti Classic Gran Selezione wines must have been aged for at least 30 months.
Only the the red wines produced in the oldest area of Chianti can be called Chianti Classic DOCG. These wines must use at least 80% Sangiovese grapes. The remaining 20% can be made up of other grape varieties and these can be either native or international.
What food should be paired with Chianti Classic wines in your Tuscany wine tasting?
Chianti Classic wines are famous for their robust character. These are complex wines and they are best accompanied with some of Tuscany’s rustic, hearty dishes. These include our favourites – the delicious Chianina steak and the mouth watering wild boar pasta – along with some fabulous cured meats so typical of the area. However, don’t worry if you’re a vegetarian. There are some amazing crostini toppings that will satisfy these tastes, along with wonderful soups – ribollita and zuppa.
How to get to the Chianti Classico region for your Tuscany wine tour
If you’re enjoying a tour of Italy, it’s easy to incorporate a Tuscany wine tour in the Chianti Classico region into your itinerary. If you’re journeying from North to South, Florence would be the entry point to the area.
By air: If you’re coming from overseas, you can opt to fly into Florence, Pisa or Bologna. If you’re arriving at Bologna, you can catch the monorail from the airport to the city centre. From here, it’s then a high-speed train ride to Florence which will take less than 45 minutes. Likewise, from Pisa, it’s easy to catch either the train or the bus to the city of Florence.
By train: Trains in Italy are superb. High speed train connections from both Trenitalia and Italo offer high-speed travel to the heart of Florence.
By car: Once in Florence, you can opt to hire a car or organise a private driver. It’s important to note that many wineries are hard to reach using public transport. As a result, having a driver or having your own car, is essential in this area.
The best Tuscany wine tasting in a town
Whilst we have said that having a car is essential, if you really don’t want to leave the city, then we can still bring a wine tasting to you!
If you’re in Florence, then you can enjoy a one hour wine tasting overlooking the Ponte Vecchio. Book here. Or, discover some incredible Tuscan wines in an exclusive wine tasting inside a beautiful Renaissance palace in the heart of Florence. An expert sommelier will guide you through a tasting of some of the finest Tuscan wines, accompanied by some classic Tuscan antipasti. Book here.
Alternatively, if you’re in Siena, you could opt to pay a visit to the La Lastra winery. This vineyard offers a very special 3 hour Tuscany wine tasting experience which comes with a light lunch and includes the opportunity to sample four different wines. It’s an easy bike or taxi ride from the city centre. Book here.
The best Tuscany wine tasting by bike
The Chianti Classico countryside is simply idyllic, so what better way to explore its wineries than on two wheels? In fact, the area already boasts its own cycling event. Ever since 1997, the L’Eroica cycling event has been held each October. With different length routes on offer, it is a magical cycling event. However, you can enjoy a beautiful ride at any time of the year thanks to this Tuscany wine tasting tour by bike. You’ll be out for 8 hours in total and your ride will include a stop for lunch and a wine tasting. Book here.
The best value Tuscany wine tasting
If you don’t want to hire a car or get on a bike, but still wish to avoid the high costs of a private transfer, then a group Tuscany wine tasting tour is probably the best option for you. This guided group wine tour leaves from Florence and will take you to two wineries. Book here. Alternatively, this half day wine tour from Siena is another great option. Whereas the Florence tour is for groups of up to 25, this is a more exclusive tour for up to 8 people in a minivan. Book now.
The best Tuscany wine tasting with lunch
The Panzanello winery is iconic. Either the owners themselves or a member of their trusted team will guide you through the winery, sharing its history with you. They’ll also bring to life the wine production process before leading you to the indoor tasting room or outside terrace to enjoy a tasting of five of their wines. All this is accompanied by an incredible lunch with a menu that changes dependent on the season. Book now.
Alternatively, another fantastic option is a Tuscany wine tasting and lunch at boutique winery Savignola Paolina. Located just south of Florence, here you will enjoy a lighter lunch and a tasting of four wines along with the estate olive oil. Book now.
The best Tuscany wine tasting with private driver
For a truly memorable tour of Chianti Classico region, opt for this private Tuscany wine tour in a vintage Fiat 500. Book now. Or what about being transported in a vintage motorcycle sidecar on your Tuscany wine tour? Each sidecar can seat up to two passengers however, please note, that these are delicate so the company will need to know passenger weights before confirmation. This particular tour stops for lunch and a wine tasting at one of our favourite Chianti Classic wineries. Book now.
Discover our favourite wineries for your Tuscany wine tasting
We couldn’t miss the opportunity to introduce a couple of other other favourite Chianti Classico wineries. A firm favourite with our clients is the winery at Castello di Selvole. This sits in a stunning setting with spectacular views. Your visit will begin with a tour of the winery’s historic cellar which is situated below the villa. You’ll then enjoy a tasting of the three agings of the winery’s Chianti Classic wine – Vintage, Riserva and Grand Selection. All this is served up with a selection of cold meats, crostini and local cheese. Book now.
And last, but definitely not least, is the family run Casanuova di Ama winery. This 2 hour wine and food pairing receives 5 star reviews from our clients time after time. Book now.
Or check out all the wineries we recommend to our clients at Winedering.