Wine Tasting Tours in Chianti

The Chianti wine route is marked as Chiantigiana (or simply the SR 222) on the map of central Italy and it connects Florence and Siena. It's one of Italy's most picturesque driving highways, traversing acre after acre of vines producing the world-famous wines. You'd be forgiven if you thought the Chianti wine trail was a straight or round path; actually, it's a series of zigzags. Don't worry, your efforts will be richly rewarded with breathtaking sights of the Tuscan countryside, quaint medieval villages, and, of course, great wines to sample.

The climate in Tuscany is the Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The weather on the southern coast is milder, whereas the climate in the mountainous north is cooler. Below we provided some information about favourable seasons to go to wine tours in the Chianti region:

• Spring is a wonderful time to explore Chianti and experience wine tours. By the end of March, the days are getting longer, and the weather is temperate and pleasant (18°- 20°C maximum), with the occasional shower. The trees are in full bloom, and the countryside is bustling with bustle and birds.
(!) Keep in mind that the Easter Holidays are commonplace for Italians to visit the Chianti region, and major cities such as Florence and Siena can get quite crowded throughout the weekend.

• Summer is hot and crowded, but it's an excellent time to get away from the city and go for wine tastings and vineyard tours in the countryside. The hottest months are July and August, with temperatures occasionally reaching 35°C, making it rather uncomfortable, especially in Florence (that is the reason prices of hotels go down in August). However, the hills and coast, where the air helps and the evenings are cooler, are more enjoyable.

• Autumn in Tuscany is a gift. In late September (26°C max) and October (20°C max), temperatures are still good, towns aren't too congested, and vineyards and forests change various shades of yellow and crimson. The weather is still moderate in October, with the main negative being the occasional rain shower. The month of November is an excellent time to visit Florence because it is less crowded. It's also a perfect time to explore the best wine tasting and tours in Chianti.

Since 1984, the Chianti formula has been revised once again. From that time, there are three categories of Chianti you want to try during wine tasting and tour to this area.

• One-two-year-old Chianti is distinguished by a transparent ruby color, a fruity aroma. It is highly acidic and has a decorated taste. The grapes for it are collected from 8 sub-regions of Chianti.


• Chianti Classico is made only from Sangiovese, which has been successfully cultivated here for thousands of years. The grapes are grown only in the historical area of Chianti Classico. Aging for 7 months in a bottle is a mandatory period. This wine has a full-bodied complex taste and a long aging period. Its dark red color with purple shades is fascinating, and the berry-violet aroma is unique.


• Chianti Classico Riserva is a high-quality wine made from grapes with a reduced yield. Aging in the bottle for at least 3 years. The Riserva category today accounts for 20% of the total Chianti production. This is a thick pomegranate-colored wine with the aroma of spices and wild berries, a subtle velvety taste.

Tuscan winemakers carry the charm of making wines with passion and love.
Chianti wine tours are an art in itself, where viewing a vineyard as a wine-producing hub is just an awesome thing to watch. When it comes to perceiving a vineyard as a wine-producing center, nothing beats it. Life is fascinating, and it is even more so when you are willing to learn about the history of a region. You will be accompanied by a guide who has worked for this company and will provide you with a wealth of information.
Stepping forward to observe the grapes in the vines is a joyous occasion. You will be stunned by the beauty that surrounds you in spellbinding shock. Then there's a tour of the winery, followed by a tour of the cellar. This is where you will witness the actual wine-making process. The best site ever, followed by a desire to taste wines, which is fulfilled by taking you right to the tasting area. Where the choice to select one of their best red wine is on you.
The tasting can be supplemented with classic Tuscan appetizers Finocchiona salami and Pecorino cheese or a full lunch if requested.
If you wish to stay longer at the farm and experience the wonderful Tuscan lifestyle, several wineries also offer accommodation as well.
Check individual winery profiles on our website to find the best wine tour in Chianti.

Here is the shortlist of places to visit in Chianti:
• Sagre is a traditional food and wine festival that takes place all throughout Tuscany and is a must-see. Small communities get dressed up for the occasion, and everyone participates. Local organizations and small companies work tirelessly to expand the number of opportunities to enjoy the good life, which is what the Chianti is all about.
• Volpaia, a hamlet 7 kilometers from Radda in Chianti, redefines the term "picturesque." A little square with two churches and a well. Flowers framed the doors, and ivy and roses grew up the stone walls, giving the space a mystical feel. You could easily spend a couple of hours just photographing the Tuscan countryside.
• San Gusmè is a little Medieval tranquil village half an hour's drive from Siena, nestled in a sea of vineyards. When you walk through the ancient gate, you'll come across a few streets and a lovely square. There are less than a hundred individuals that reside here, and silence reigns supreme. It was early Spring when we went, and the place was almost deserted, but we found a bar open for a coffee and a snack (grocery shop).
To discover more places to visit in Chianti, visit our Chanti wine region page.

The best way to drink Chianti is to pair it with local Italian dishes. As for the temperature, 15 °C is the optimal temperature for Chianti wines to have smoother tannins.

These places provide the best wine tasting experiences for families and kids:

• Cincinelli Marco


• Fattoria Montepescini


• Fattoria di Petrognano

These place provide the best wine tours for groups:

• Fattoria Uccelliera


• Poderi Arcangelo


• Pietraserena

Pair your beautiful glass of Chianti with the local Tuscan food at one of the wineries overlooking spectecular landscapes. Most of the wineries in Chianti also offer a gastronomic experience. Here is where we recommend eating locally:

• Fattoria Di Montemorli


• Fattoria La Striscia
  


• Mormoraia

Chianti pairs well with the red sauce pastas. It can be pasta with tomato sauce or spaghetti bolognese. Local Tuscan salami – Finocchiona together with toasted Tuscan bread is one of the best you can try with Chianti.

Pecorino cheese is an ultimate pair with Chianti wine. Pecorino is a hard cheese made from whole sheep’s milk and it can vary upon aging. Other hard cheeses such as aged Parmigiano Reggiano and sharp Cheddar also pair well with Chianti.