All About Chianti

Appearance

  • Color: Ruby red that ranges from bright and vibrant in youngers wines or brick red hues in aged wines.
  • Opacity: Generally medium opacity, light typically passes through the wine.

Aroma

  • Primary Aromas: Bright red fruits such as cherry, strawberry, and plum, along with floral notes like violet.
  • Secondary Aromas: Hints of dried herbs, anise, and sometimes a subtle earthiness or minerality.
  • Tertiary Aromas: Leather, tobacco, dried leaves, and a hint of balsamic or spice like clove and cinnamon.

Flavor Profile

  • Fruit Flavors: Red fruit flavors such as tart cherry, raspberry, and plum.
  • Other Flavors: Hints of dried herbs, balsamic vinegar, tomato leaf, and a slight earthiness. With age, Chianti can develop more complex flavors like leather, dried fig, and tea leaves.
  • Oak Influence: Depending on the winemaker’s approach, Chianti may have oak influences. This can impart flavors of vanilla, cedar, smoke, or a touch of spice.

Structure

  • Body : Medium Body offering a balanced mouthfeel that is neither too light nor too heavy.
  • Tannins: Medium to high tannins provide structure and a slightly astringent, drying sensation on the palate.
  • Acidity: Known for its high acidity
  • Alcohol: Ranging from 12% to 14.5%.

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Pairings for Chianti

Tomato-Based Dishes

Tomato-based dishes, known for their vibrant acidity, are staples in many cuisines, from pastas with marinara sauce to pizzas and hearty stews. The natural acidity of tomatoes makes them both a challenge and a delight for wine pairing. When cooked, tomatoes concentrate their sweetness, balancing out their tangy notes. Whether served as a simple sauce or in more complex dishes like lasagna, these dishes are rich, bold, and full of flavor, requiring wines that can either complement or cut through their acidity for a balanced experience.

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Grilled Meats

Grilled meats, such as lamb and beef, offer rich, smoky flavors that intensify with the cooking method. The natural char and juiciness of cuts like ribeye or lamb chops make them a versatile option for a variety of occasions, from casual barbecues to elegant dinners. When properly seasoned, grilled meats balance bold flavors with tenderness, often enhanced with marinades or simple salt and pepper. The robust, smoky notes developed during grilling pair beautifully with full-bodied wines, making them a favorite for wine lovers.

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Aged Cheeses

Aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, Gouda, and Manchego, are cheeses that have been matured over several months to years. This aging process enhances their flavor and texture, making them more complex, with nutty, savory, and sometimes sharp profiles. The longer the cheese is aged, the more intense the flavors become, often with crystallized bits that add a delightful crunch. These cheeses lose moisture over time, becoming firmer, and pair beautifully with bold red wines due to their rich, fatty texture.

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