Tuscany | Chianti

Vernaiolo is one of the oldest members of the Rocca delle Macìe family and has always been the estate's most traditional example of Chianti. Its name is derived from the Latin vernāle, which means "of spring" and indicates the season in which the Chianti was bottled after it had survived the winter. Even today, this lively, ruby-red wine is ready to drink in the spring after the harvest and retains its fresh and fruity characteristics for a long time.

Poggio Bonelli in Castelnuovo Berardenga looks back on a centuries-old tradition – coveted over the centuries by Siena's most prestigious noble families, from the medieval Spennali to the powerful Piccolomini and the Chigi Saracini. Today, Villa Chigi honours the memory of Count Guido Chigi Saracini, who was not only a passionate wine lover but also founded the famous Accademia Chigiana in 1932. The vineyards are perched 280 metres above sea level on the sun-drenched southern slopes of the Chianti zone around Castelnuovo Berardenga. Here, between the warm, typically Mediterranean Chianti hills and the plains of the Crete Senesi, the vines benefit from excellent breezes and air circulation, which limit the risk of water stagnation and humidity. The special transitional soils between clayey, sandy sediments and atypical Chianti soils create ideal conditions for Sangiovese.

Fattoria del Cerro in Acquaviva di Montepulciano is the largest private vineyard in the region with a total area of 600 hectares and 181 hectares of vines – mainly known for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its Chianti Colli Senesi comes from 20 hectares of vineyards in the Sienese hills and is mainly made from Sangiovese (90 per cent) with Merlot (10 per cent). After manual harvesting, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks with eight to ten days of maceration, followed by three months of ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels.

The cuvée of 85% Sangiovese and 15% other grape varieties comes from the historic vineyards near Gaiole in Chianti. Vinified in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, traditional ageing methods preserve the typical Sangiovese freshness and authentic Chianti character. Bright ruby red in the glass. The bouquet is characterised by dark fruit: black cherries and blackcurrants, with elegant notes of violets and balsamic hints of liquorice and mint. Juicy and refreshing on the palate with the characteristic playful acidity of Sangiovese, velvety spiciness and charming fruity notes that remain present into the finish. An uncomplicated but refined Chianti of remarkable authenticity. SUPERIORE.DE

As the name Sasyr suggests, this wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. Only 15 per cent of the Sangiovese matures for six months in large oak barrels, the rest comes from stainless steel. Pretty red colour with notes of blood orange, blueberries, crushed violets, dried herbs and some cedar wood. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, dense finish. Sasyr is a fresh and harmonious red wine for many occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

Capezzana is opening a new chapter with the Monna 1475 series – fresh, accessible and uncomplicated, without abandoning the quality standards of the traditional Tenuta. The Bianco combines Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc to create a Mediterranean cuvée that is vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the lively fruitiness and freshness of the grapes. A wine for the moment, to be drunk young and a perfect match for Capezzana's vision of getting younger wine lovers excited about Carmignano. In the glass, the 2024 is bright yellow in colour with green reflections. The bouquet is fruity with notes of tropical fruit – pineapple, banana – and delicate hints of white and yellow flowers. Soft and full on the palate, with beautiful harmony and balance. The structure is pleasantly present, the refreshing acidity is perfectly balanced, the finish is medium-long and fruity with floral notes. An uncomplicated, elegant white wine that is just as convincing as an aperitif as it is with light fish dishes and seafood – tuscan lifestyle in a glass, naturally from the best vineyards! SUPERIORE.DE

From the youngest vineyards of the 530-hectare Camigliano estate – where the tufa soils on the south-western slope of Montalcino give the Sangiovese particularly juicy fruit and fragrant flavour. 80% Sangiovese, supplemented by 20% Merlot for supple fullness. After gentle pressing, the wine ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, then matures in large barrels and rests in the bottle for a few weeks before bottling. Vivid ruby red with garnet nuances, aromas of sour cherry, wild berries and a hint of liquorice, fruity and fresh on the palate, with soft tannins and animating length. SUPERIORE.DE

Three grape varieties, three characters, one wine: Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon share the Cretum Rosso in equal parts – an assemblage that could not be more typical of southern Tuscany. Each variety is vinified separately and only then do they come together in the tonneau. The Sangiovese thus retains its lively acidity and cherry fruit temperament, while Merlot contributes fullness and Cabernet structure.

Far from the fame of the Vino Nobile vineyards, this Chianti was created in the "Pozzi" vineyards, where Federico Carletti ventured an oenological experiment. At an altitude of 350 to 450 metres, with a view of the famous San Biagio church, densely planted Sangiovese vines thrive on stony clay soils of almost skeletal permeability. Ninety-five per cent Sangiovese blends with five per cent other Tuscan varieties to create a Chianti of uncompromising authenticity. Six months in stainless steel preserve the youthful freshness of this DOCG composition, which Federico deliberately conceived as an alternative to modern velvet gloves.

An uncomplicated Tuscan from the organically cultivated vineyards of Castello di Radda, which are south-facing on the hills behind the winery. The cuvée of 60% Merlot and 40% Sangiovese grows on clay-rich soils with a limestone content, which gives the wine its fruity and accessible character. After manual harvesting, the wine is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks with a maceration period of around ten days. The wine is matured partly in steel and partly in tonneaux, with bottling taking place in the summer after the harvest.

The name says it all: "Cretum" refers to the Crete Senesi, those moon-like clay hills that stretch south of Siena. Poggio Bonelli lies on their threshold – in the extreme south of the Chianti Classico, where the vineyards of Castelnuovo Berardenga merge into the barren beauty of the Crete. Soils from the Pliocene, over five million years old, characterise the wines here: clay-rich tuff interspersed with sand. Chardonnay and Viognier come together in this terroir.

Felsina's rare white wine from the heart of Chianti Classico. pep, made from 70% Trebbiano, 15% Chardonnay and 15% Sauvignon Bianco, thrives in south-west facing vineyards at an altitude of 350 metres. After manual harvesting, the wine is fermented and matured exclusively in stainless steel tanks. Straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. Shows floral and fruity aromas on the nose. Light and very refreshing on the palate with a natural salinity. An extremely versatile white wine for everyday enjoyment – perfect as an aperitif or with tasty fish dishes such as fritto misto or baked fish. SUPERIORE.DE

This Sangiovese expression full of character, which bears the authentic face of Chianti Classico, comes from the privileged vineyards around Castellina in Chianti. The Zingarelli family, who have been dedicated to this exceptional terroir for five decades, rely on hand-picked grapes, predominantly Sangiovese with a subtle proportion of Merlot, for their classic wine. Lively ruby red in the glass with a youthful brilliance. The intense bouquet develops ripe aromas of raspberries and wild strawberries, accompanied by notes of violets and an elegant spiciness with subtle nuances of wood. On the palate, the wine is balanced, structured and warm, with a silky body and fine, never intrusive tannins. The lively freshness harmonises perfectly with the fruity concentration and leads to a lingering aromatic finish. A Chianti Classico that masterfully combines tradition and modernity and expresses the typicality of its origin with youthful purity. SUPERIORE.DE

Felsina's entry-level wine made from 100% Sangiovese from the border between Chianti Classico and the Colli Senesi. The vineyard, acquired by Domenico Poggiali in 1966, is located in Castelnuovo Berardenga on diverse soils of sandstone, marl and limestone. After temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, the wine matures for twelve months in medium-sized Slovenian oak barrels. Ruby red in colour with violet hues in the glass. Fruity aromas of wild berries and berry bush on the nose, complemented by pleasant spicy notes. Round and supple on the palate with well-structured tannins and a delicate final of red fruit and vanilla. A classic Chianti from the Colli Senesi, perfect for everyday enjoyment with meat dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

"When We Dance" – sting's 1994 ballad is about a love that makes angels hide their wings. The eponymous Chianti is more down-to-earth, but no less seductive: a classic triad of Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Colorino, as Tuscany has known it for centuries. The biodynamically farmed grapes are harvested by hand and matured in stainless steel for six months – no wood, no distractions, just pure varietal expression.

Borrigiano – named after the inhabitants of the medieval village of Il Borro – marks a special chapter in the history of the Ferragamo family. As the estate's first wine under the prestigious Valdarno di Sopra DOC, it combines the tradition of an appellation that was recognised as one of the first four Tuscan wine regions by Cosimo III de' Medici back in 1716. This elegant cuvée of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from organically cultivated vineyards between 300 and 500 metres above sea level in the Valdarno Valley. The unique soil composition – characterised by sandstone, clay and fossilised marine deposits from a prehistoric lake – gives the wine its characteristic minerality. Ten months of ageing in large wooden barrels preserves the lively fruit and creates a harmonious interplay between tradition and innovation.