Chianti Classico DOP (cerfified “authentic”) is 100% sangiovese grape from a tightly defined part of Tuscany. Now, that’s a good grape for wine. The grape was never the problem. The problem was shitty winemaking in part caused stubborn adherence to the “way we’ve always done it” and a lack of competition.
So, then some outsider shows up (in the 60s or 70s, grapes need decades...) thumbs his nose at these rules, mixes local Sangiovese with varietals imported from France (Merlot and Cabernet Franc, I think) and that dude rocked their world. (The French routinely blend grapes, which is often not the case elsewhere.)
It can never be called “Chianti”, but it’s from Tuscany. Anyway, it smoked the old guard, and forced them to up their game. Today, Chianti is a solid product. (Anyway, it goes to show that a little experimentation can have really cool results.)
But here’s the kicker. Bring you visa, coz Super Tuscans can be freaking expensive (I don’t buy them, lol) There are good, cheaper versions, “IGT Toscana” that are value for money.
Personally, I’m looking at Sicilian wines. Sleeping giant, I think. But that’s a totally different story.
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) of nerello mascallese. So, from the Mascali area (near Taormina) with fields literally creeping up the slopes of Mount Etna. It is delicate but dry. I have never seen it since... not at the SAQ, the LCBO or private agents. Didn’t regret getting the case, that’s for sure. Bloody brilliant.
