History and regulations
The origins of "Chianti" wine are lost in centuries past, but
the wine was sanctioned in the 19th century, and the D.M. (Departmental Executive
Order) dated 31st July 1932 established the first territorial boundaries with
the geographic specifications for "Classico", "Colli Aretini", "Colli Fiorentini",
"Colli Senesi", "Colline Pisane", "Montalbano" and "Rùfina" wines.
The "Montespertoli" sub-zone was added to these with a Decree dated 8th September
1997.
"Rùfina" is the smallest of the specific geographical Chianti areas, covering
a surface area of 12,483 hectares. Viticulture has very ancient origins on
these hills which stretch towards the Apennines, and the wines from the Rùfina
area were renowned even before the Grand-ducal period.
"Chianti" obtained "Denominazione di Origine Controllata" (DOC) status with
the President's Decree dated 9th August 1967, which also established its characteristics
with special Production Specifications. In the various sub-zones, more restrictive
production modalities and special requisites are laid down for the wines.
The particular excellence of "Chianti" wine was also recognized with the granting
of "Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita" (DOCG) status, by President's
Decree dated 2nd July 1984. From then onwards, in addition to the controls
already carried out, "Chianti" had to undergo an organoleptic examination
by state tasting panels at the Chambers of Commerce as well as specific chemical
analyses. Only once it has passed these examinations can "Chianti" be bottled
and marked with the DOCG label certifying its validity.
The Departmental Executive Order of 5th August 1996, and subsequent modifications,
approved the present Production Specifications for "Chianti" DOCG, in which
the characteristics of "Chianti Rùfina" wines were given as follows:
| Chianti Rùfina D.O.C.G. | | Top ^| |
-Vine varieties:
Sangiovese:
from 75 to 100%
Canaiolo:
up to 10% Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti individually or together:
up to10%
Recommended and/or authorized red berry varieties:
up to 10%
Yield:
maximum 80 quintals of grapes per hectare
New vineyards:
at least 3,300 plants per hectare Maximum grape yield in finished wine: no
more than 70%
Production areas:
part of the municipalities of Dicomano, Londa, Pelago, Pontassieve and Rùfina,
all located in the province of Florence.
New vineyard production:
from fourth year after installation.
Vinification:
within the "Chianti Rùfina" production area.
Minimum natural volume of alcoholic strength of "Chianti Rùfina" grapes:
11% Introduction date for consumption: no earlier than June 1st of the year
following grape production.
Characteristics upon introduction for consumption:
Color:
lively ruby red, tending towards garnet red with aging.
Odor:
intensely winy, sometimes with the scent of sweet violets, of a more pronounced
subtlety with aging.
Taste:
harmonious, dry (with a maximum of 4 g/l of reducing sugars), fruity, slightly
tannic, improving in time to a soft velvet.
The vintage wine which has been "refermented with whole berries" is lively
and rounded.
Minimum total volume of alcoholic strength:
12%
Minimum total acidity:
5‰
Minimum net dry extract:
22‰
"Chianti Rùfina Riserva":
minimum aging - 2 years, of which at least 3 months of bottle aging.
Minimum total volume of alcoholic strength at consumption: 12.5%
Packaging:
for capacities of up to or over 0.375 liters, and up to 5 liters:
"Bordeaux style" bottles;
"Tuscan flasks": up to 2 liters.
Sealing method:
cork level with bottle mouth.
In the "Chianti" production area, only recently have regulations been approved
for an ancient traditional product:
Vin Santo (fortified wine).
The production area for DOC "Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina" coincides with
and lies alongside that of DOCG "Chianti Rùfina", with the possibility interchanging
Vineyard Registers.
The Production Specifications for DOC "Vin Santo del Chianti" were approved
by a Decree dated 28th August 1997 and represent an important step in the
development of such a traditional product of quality Tuscan viticulture.
| Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina D.O.C. | | Top ^| |
-Vine varieties:
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti individually or together: minimum
70%
Recommended and/or authorized white and/or red berry varieties:
maximum 30%
For the "Occhio di Pernice" specification:
Sangiovese: minimum 50%
Recommended and/or authorized white and/or red berry varieties:
maximum 50%
Yield: maximum 100 quintals of grapes per hectare
New vineyards:
at least 3,300 plants per hectare
Maximum grape yield in finished wine at third year: no more than 35% Production
areas:
part of the municipalities of Dicomano, Londa, Pelago, Pontassieve and Rùfina,
all located in the province of Florence.
Vinification:
within the "Chianti Rùfina" production area.
Sugar content at the end of natural drying of grapes: no less than 27% Crushing
of grapes:
not before December 1st of the year of harvest and no later than March 31st
of the following year.
Vinification and aging:
in wooden containers (kegs) of capacity no greater than 5 hectoliters.
Introduction date for consumption:
no earlier than November 1st of the third year following the year of grape
production.
Characteristics upon introduction for consumption:
Color: from pale to golden yellow, to intense amber.
Odor: ethereal, intense, characteristic.
Taste: harmonious, velvety with a more pronounced roundness for medium sweet,
mellow and sweet types.
Minimum total volume of alcoholic strength:
16% of which: at least 13% developed and a maximum of 3% to be developed for
the dry type and at least 13% developed and a minimum of 3% to be developed
for the mellow type.
Minimum total acidity:
4.5% for the dry type, 5% for the mellow type Maximum volatile acidity: 1.6‰
Minimum net dry extract: 21‰
For the "Occhio di Pernice" specification:
Color: from intense pink to pale pink
Odor: warm, intense
Taste: mellow or sweet, soft, velvety and rounded
Minimum total volume of alcoholic strength:
17% of which: at least 14% developed
Minimum total acidity: 4‰
Maximum volatile acidity: 1.6‰
Minimum net dry extract: 26% "Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina Riserva"
and "Vin Santo del Chianti Rùfina Occhio di Pernice
Riserva": introduction date for consumption, not before November 1st of the
fourth year following the year of grape production.
Packaging: in bottles of capacity no greater than 0.75 liters. Sealing method:
cork level with bottle mouth.
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