The Best Chiantis
In my opinion, Financial Times columnist Jancis Robinson provides some of the best, most accessible coverage of wine anywhere. This past weekend, in the FT Life & Arts Section, Robinson looks at the 2006 vintage of Chianti Classico as “something to celebrate.” Apparently, this is the first year that “white wine grapes have been outlawed” from the making of Chianti Classico. Indeed, up until 2006, Chianti was a blend of white (mostly Trebbiano) and red (mostly Sangiovese) grapes. Robinson gives an interesting primer on the former and current production of Chianti - the wine made in the mini-region between Florence and Siena - and also makes suggestions for the best Chianti buys.
Here are her picks:
Taste of Tuscany: Classic Classicos
RECOMMENDED 2006s
●Badia a Coltibuono
●Carpineto (£)
Fonterutoli
●Collelungo (£)
Montecalvi
Principe Corsini, Le Corte (£)
San Fabiano Calcinaia
●Villa Calcinaia
SUPERIOR 2005s
●Castello di Ama
●Castello di Meleto (£)
●Casanuova di Nittardi
●Fontodi
A GOOD VALUE 2004
●Il Poggiolino (£)
●denotes a particularly traditional, lively style
(£) denotes especially good value
You can learn more about these wines from winesearcher.com and a few are available for purchase from wine.com and mywinesdirect.com.
