Chianti Rufina

Filed in archive Italian Wines on June 29, 2009

© dottorpeni

Tuscany is a place blessed with some of the world's best grapes. Sangiovese grapes. And they make some of the world's best wine, IMHO.

Deb Harkness had a post recently on a 2005 Marchesi de' Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Nipozzano Riserva. "Cherry aromas and flavors that were both fresh and rich," according to Deb. (She includes a good recipe for meatballs that the chianti complements well.)

While the grape has been around for centuries, the wine-area called Chianti originated in 1716. In 1932 the Chianti area was redefined and divided up into seven sub-areas: Classico, Colli Aretini, Colli Fiorentini (later renamed Montespertoli), Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano and (of course) Rùfina. Good stuff...