One of the best-known Italian wines, Chianti is palate-pleasing, easy-drinking and pairs well with a variety of dishes—especially anything made with classic Italian ingredients.
Produced from Tuscany’s native Sangiovese grape, which is now widely planted all across the country (and the world), Chianti boasts classic aromas associated with the beloved varietal such as “the tart sweet notes of super fresh cherries, the metallic tang of gunpowder or flint and earthy, herbaceous notes of Mediterranean brush,” says Wine Enthusiast Writer-at-Large Danielle Callegari, who reviews Tuscan wines.
But this familiar option is more than just a pedestrian sip. A bottle of Chianti can elevate a weeknight dinner, or even serve as celebratory drink for a special occasion or party.
“Chianti is like a New York sports franchise in a lot of ways—it’s been around since the dawn of time, sets the terms for other players, has had some ups and downs and, in the end, everyone’s a fan,” says Callegari. “The good news is we’re in the middle of a hell of a season.”
