The Chianti: A Wine Existing Since Time Immemorial
It was the Etruscans who introduced the cultivation of vine in the Chianti, whereas the Romans enhanced the wine-making process. In the Middle Ages, during the Barbarian Invasions, Benedictine and Vallombrosan monks devoted themselves to viticulture and promoted the production of wine especially in the Abbeys of Coltibuono and Passignano. Starting from the 13th century, some noble families living in the area, such as the Ricasolis and the Antinoris, "inherited" the activity from the monks and began to produce the excellent Chianti wines for which they are still renowned.
The very first document to mention the Chianti wine is dated 1398. According to it, at that time Chianti was a white wine. A century later, Sangiovese red grape had substituted the original white varieties and the quality of Chianti was so high, that in the 16th century Sante Lancerio, the cook of Pope Paul III (and a real gourmet!), purchased it for the Pope`s cellar in Rome.
In 1716, Grand Duke Cosimo III de` Medici issued an edict legislating on the name of the precious wine, on the process to be followed to produce it and on the area in which it could be produced; the edict identified four areas -
Bettino Ricasoli, also known as the "Iron Baron", played an important role in the enhancement of the quality of the Chianti wine. A great wine maker, Ricasoli in 1874 proposed his recipe for producing an excellent Chianti wine: it called for 70% of Sangiovese, 15% of Canaiolo, 10% of Malvasia and 5% of other local red varieties. Baron Ricasoli was also an important statesman, which contributed to increase the popularity of Chianti wine and helped to promote it all over Europe in the 19th century.
When you drink a glass of good Chianti, take your time to enjoy its aroma and structure and to think about the history hidden in every sip!
You can often find plenty of barrels and bottles of well-aged Chianti wine in the cellars of the holiday rental farmhouses and villas in the Chianti area! You will thus have the opportunity to wash the dishes of the Tuscan cuisine down with a glass of Chianti wine.
Our most requested villas for vacation rentals:
Villa for holidays on the hills of the Florentine countryside. Accommodation for 12+2 people, garden, private swimming pool, hydro massage, Internet connection.
More details
Villa for rent in the countryside of Chianti, near Florence. Accommodation for 8/12 people, private swimming pool, outdoor whirlpool bath for 7, Internet connection, children's playground, air conditioning. Golf club, riding stable and tennis club within a few kilometres. Possibility of organising dinners and cooking lessons.
More details
Villa for vacation rental in Radda in Chianti, between Florence and Siena, in the Tuscan countryside. Accommodation for 10 people, garden, swimming pool, panoramic view, Internet connection.
More details
Villa with swimming pool for rent near Siena for holidays in Tuscany. Villa with accommodation for 4/6 people, panoramic view on Siena.
More details