Chianti is the most popular Italian wine. It is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape, but is normally a blend. How does it compare to a Sangiovese wine? Tonight we will find out. In a prior show we did a Chianti tasting. I love Chianti and I believe I liked all three wines we tasted that night. It is normally made from a blend of grapes, but is mostly made from the Sangiovese grape. It comes from the Tuscany region of Italy.

Sangiovese produces a wine that is medium in body, has medium to high acid and medium to high tannins.

You can pick out a Chianti Classico by looking for a black roster on the label. This means the wine comes from the classic region known for the production of Chianti.

Sangiovese wine from California is more fruit-forward and is known for having more floral aromas.

If drinking a wine by itself, you may prefer the Sangiovese, but I believe Chianti is more of a food wine.

Tonight, we taste:

1. 2018 Carpineto Chianti Classico, purchased from Costco for $19.99. This wine was rated a 93 by the Wine Spectator and a 92 by the Wine Enthusiast. Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo (Merlot like grape with soft tannins and bright acid) and other red grape varietals. Aged in Slavonian and French oak barrels for at least a year. 13.5% alcohol. Serve at 64-68 degrees in a decanter. Tastes of tar, stone, and umami of mushrooms, seaweed and soy sauce before sour cherries and cranberries emerge. Palate has black cherries, blackberries, milk and dark chocolate, bitter orange. Long finish. Pair with game and roasts.
2. 2016 Idle Sangiovese purchased from Wine Styles for $37.00. Aromas of licorice, smoke, violets, herbs, and cherry. Pair with spaghetti, roasted vegetables. Comes from Knights Valley AVA in Sonoma. Picked in the early morning fog, transported to the winery in the back of a flatbed. Hand sorted at the winery, destemmed, cold soaked for 4 days. Fermented for 2 weeks with punch downs done 3 times/day. Aged 16 months in 30% new (medium-long) toasted French oak barrels, 70% aged in French oak. Blended with 3% Merlot.

Next week The wines we will taste include:

1. 2021 Domaine Filliatreau. This is a Saumur, Loire Valley purchased from Sarasota Wines for $22.95.
2. 2022 Quinson Cotes de Provence. Purchased from Trader Joes for $8.99.
3. 2021 Octopada Pinot Noir purchased from Costco for $7.99.