Chianti valley through the wine route.

What could be more pleasant than strolling through centuries-old vineyards? The vineyards of Tuscany give you a glimpse of what Italy is all about: gentle, refined and full of character. Let yourself be carried away to another world, only an hour by plane from France.

Tuscany is a region steeped in history and culture, whose pillars are religion, science, the sea and, of course, wine! We’ll be focusing on this last pillar as we explore the medieval villages of the Vallee dei Chianti. The wine route begins at Florence’s Basilica of the Holy Cross, protected by the Santa Maria, and ends at Tuscany’s other central square, the Piazza del Campo in the heart of the Republic of Siena. Let’s discover Chianti Classico DOCG, the grape variety’s most famous appellation. The Chianti emblem is a black rooster, a barnyard animal proudly displayed on bottles as a guarantee of quality and, above all, authenticity. Counterfeiting is nothing new: it was the Tuscan winegrowers who decided to apply this label in the 1920s. The aim was to protect their goods. This initiative followed the 17th-century edict of the Grand Duke of Siena, which officially established the geographical limits of grape varieties.

The Chiantigiana is one of the most charming roads in the whole country. The road passes through the villages of Castellini in Chianti and Greve in Chianti. These are two medieval villages dressed entirely in stone, and from the church to the enotecas, you’ll be transported into an extraordinary world. Steep vineyards surround the bucolic villages. There are plenty of places to taste the best Tuscan wines. The first traces of man date back to the Etruscans, when this region was their domain. Chianti first appeared as a white wine in the 13th century.

Route SR 222 passes right by Radda in Chianti or Gaiole in Chianti, south of Florence. Most villages have adopted the name “in chianti” at the end of their name to prove to Europe that their wines are authentic. We have a very French example, that of Champagne with the city of Châlons-en-Champagne. This appellation is also a great showcase to attract tourists, or make sure they don’t venture too far off the beaten track. In the past, these villages formed the Chianti League, which met to organize production quotas, set prices and draw up a list of loyal customers. This organization may resemble today’s OPEC for managing Arab oil. In fact, it was as a result of the League of Chianti that the Classico and DOCG appellations were introduced, not only to secure the authenticity of the wines, but also to ensure the monopoly of “good taste” and quality in the Middle Ages. The first Chianti was a rather sweet white wine sold by itinerant merchants in the late 1300’s. It improved over the ages to become deeper in the mouth, no longer a wine for the common people! The Irish politician Sir Edward Berry (1696 – 1776) described the wine as pleasant and refined, and decreed that it was not intended for any kind of drinking. As we can see, Chianti quickly became a renowned wine with a reputation to uphold. It’s no coincidence that counterfeiting was so widespread. You can immerse yourself in the great history of wine when you go to Val di Pesa and Val di Greve. The producers of this elixir will be delighted to tell you all about their family adventures.

If you buy a bottle with a big belly, it will be served in a wicker basket called a fiasco. Sangiovese is the ubiquitous grand cru grape, followed by Caiolo with and Malvasia Blanca, which account for a fifth. Chianti accounts for 2.5% of Italian wine production, with 1 million hectolitres produced annually. Italy remains the world’s leading wine exporter.

From Siena to Castellina, the views are sumptuous. This steep region is none other than the Chianti Mountains. Stop off at the Abbey of Coltibuono, which sits proudly at 900 metres above sea level, surrounded by farms. There are many castles in the ancient Republic of Siena, and here is a non-exhaustive list of the most attractive: Castello di Meleto, Castello di Brolio, and the village of Castelnuovo Berardenga. How about relaxing with a glass of wine and a prosciutto?

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When you’re in front of the vendor, don’t be without knowledge. You can marvel at the vineyards of the Chianti Putto appellation, including the most famous wines: montalbano, rufina, colli fiorentini and colli senesi. Among the prestige Chianti wines, you’ll find reds with strong character, such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano. As for whites, we have the dry Vernaccia from San Gimignano. Vino Santo is made from semi-passaged grapes, which are left on racks for several months to concentrate their sugar content, and aged for at least three years. This type of wine is ideal with desserts.

The Chianti wine route winds through peaceful vineyards, olive groves and fields, where vegetation is king. You can organize a stopover at Castello di Vichiomaggio and enjoy the passing of time until late evening.

If you want to enjoy a taste of the local terroir, you need the resort of your dreams. At the crossroads between Pisa, Lucca and Florence, our properties steeped in history will help you rediscover the different styles of Italy. What would you say to staying in this luxurious residence not far from Siena? This mansion perfectly respects Tuscan traditions in terms of architecture.

For those who prefer a little more ostentatious luxury, we suggest this charming home in the Valle dei Chianti. As with these dream villas for rent, it’s ideal for lounging around the pool on hot afternoons. Idyllic for a relaxing family vacation, our charming residences will let you enjoy the Siena region to the full.