Chianti hasn’t exactly had it easy. From Carlo Rossi declaring war on wine by dropping 1.5 liter jug-bombs of CA Chianti on the US market to Ruffino vowing to fill in the gaps with lighter fluid in kitschy straw bottles, the region and its wines have been crushed by mass production and bad PR. Sadly, a shocking number of individuals still see the wine as symbolic of checkered vinyl and chicken parm. Even here in NYC, with every serious Italian wine list in the city giving face time to Chianti’s greats, there still remains this suspicion among those who’ve been all but poisoned by Ruffino: you can take the Chianti out of the straw bottle, but you can’t take the straw bottle out of the Chianti. And unfortunately, Chianti still hasn’t had the proper opportunity to clear its name. With the rise of the Super Tuscan regime, it was further branded as the type of wine that maverick artisans were trying to escape, improve upon, or discard all together.
So, with Sassicaia stepping on its neck and the rest of the US subconsciously banishing the region to bodegas and pizza parlors, Chianti has had a hard time proving to the masses that it produces—and has always produced—world-class wines. But we’re here to tell you that it has, and here are 4 wines that prove it.
Chianti Classico ‘Il Poggio’, Monsanto - Monsanto practically invented Chianti Classico - it was the first wine to have the name and remains one of the best. Il Poggio is the gem in their crown and is only bottled in the finest vintages. Beautiful forward red fruit, delicate floral aromatics and load of Monsanto dirt.
Where to buy: Drink the Grapes
Where to drink: Bar Henry, Scarpetta, I Trulli
Chianti Classico Riserva, Castell‘in Villa – One of the greatest producers of traditional, age-worthy Chianti whop’s responsible for what is, in our opinion, the greatest Chianti ever made, their ’71 Riserva. Lean, traditional, mineral-driven brilliance.
Where to buy: Uva Wines, Appellation
Where to drink: Convivio, inoteca vino e cucina, The Four Seasons Restaurant
Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Cacchiano – If any of your snotty friends aren’t yet convinced that Chianti has moved beyond the straw bottle and checkered tablecloth days, look no further. Drop a bomb on the snobs with this bright, classy Robert Chadderdon babe.
Where to buy: Astor Wines
Where to drink: Frankies 17
Chianti Classico, La Sala – This boutique producer has quickly catapulted itself into the spotlight with thoughtful, terroir driven expressions of Sangiovese from their holding in the Western portion of the Classico zone. Well priced draped in pure, bright fruit with just enough grunge underneath to keep us alert.
Where to buy De Vino
Where to drink: Beppe
Wine Picks of the Week: Beyond the Straw Bottle
Chianti hasn’t exactly had it easy. From Carlo Rossi declaring war on wine by dropping 1.5 liter jug-bombs of CA Chianti on the US market to Ruffino vowing to fill in the gaps with lighter fluid in kitschy straw bottles, the region and its wines have been crushed by mass production and bad PR. Sadly, a shocking number of individuals still see the wine as symbolic of checkered vinyl and chicken parm. Even here in NYC, with every serious Italian wine list in the city giving face time to Chianti’s greats, there still remains this suspicion among those who’ve been all but poisoned by Ruffino: you can take the Chianti out of the straw bottle, but you can’t take the straw bottle out of the Chianti. And unfortunately, Chianti still hasn’t had the proper opportunity to clear its name. With the rise of the Super Tuscan regime, it was further branded as the type of wine that maverick artisans were trying to escape, improve upon, or discard all together.
So, with Sassicaia stepping on its neck and the rest of the US subconsciously banishing the region to bodegas and pizza parlors, Chianti has had a hard time proving to the masses that it produces—and has always produced—world-class wines. But we’re here to tell you that it has, and here are 4 wines that prove it.
Chianti Classico ‘Il Poggio’, Monsanto - Monsanto practically invented Chianti Classico - it was the first wine to have the name and remains one of the best. Il Poggio is the gem in their crown and is only bottled in the finest vintages. Beautiful forward red fruit, delicate floral aromatics and load of Monsanto dirt.
Where to buy: Drink the Grapes
Where to drink: Bar Henry, Scarpetta, I Trulli
Chianti Classico Riserva, Castell‘in Villa – One of the greatest producers of traditional, age-worthy Chianti whop’s responsible for what is, in our opinion, the greatest Chianti ever made, their ’71 Riserva. Lean, traditional, mineral-driven brilliance.
Where to buy: Uva Wines, Appellation
Where to drink: Convivio, inoteca vino e cucina, The Four Seasons Restaurant
Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello di Cacchiano – If any of your snotty friends aren’t yet convinced that Chianti has moved beyond the straw bottle and checkered tablecloth days, look no further. Drop a bomb on the snobs with this bright, classy Robert Chadderdon babe.
Where to buy: Astor Wines
Where to drink: Frankies 17
Chianti Classico, La Sala – This boutique producer has quickly catapulted itself into the spotlight with thoughtful, terroir driven expressions of Sangiovese from their holding in the Western portion of the Classico zone. Well priced draped in pure, bright fruit with just enough grunge underneath to keep us alert.
Where to buy De Vino
Where to drink: Beppe
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