Photo © Ambito Firenze e Area Fiorentina

Florentine DOCG reds: history and identity in a glass

Red wine is a fil rouge that unites the Florentine territory, sculpts the landscape and marks events on the calendar

by Florence area

There is a deep connection between wine and the lands surrounding Florence.
A delicate balance between nature, labor and tradition that is also reflected in the landscape.
Simply head out from the more urbanized western plain to be immersed among neat rows of vines, farms and hillsides dotted with vineyards.

Here, Sangiovese is the most widely planted red grape in Italy and defines the identity of local wines.
Viticulture in these areas is often entrusted to small family-run businesses, which guard ancient knowledge and keep alive the link with the land.

The hills, especially east and south of Florence, tell a story of traditional processes, grape harvests and landscapes shaped by agricultural labor.

It was in this context that two of the most representative expressions of Chianti DOCG wine were born: Chianti Colli Fiorentini, from the hills surrounding the city in a gentle embrace, and Chianti Rufina, produced along the Sieve valley.
Two territories that are quite close yet able to offer wines that differ in character, structure and harmony. Both tell of the same deep passion for wine and for the hills that have been representative of this part of Tuscany for centuries.

Contents

1.

Chianti Colli Fiorentini
2.

Chianti Rufina and Pomino
3.

Dedicated to wine

Chianti Colli Fiorentini

The vineyards of Lastra a Signa - Credit: Ambito Firenze e Area Fiorentina

The hills that enclose Florence have long been raked by vineyards, from which came the wine produced by the noble families who had their country residences and hunting lodges here. The Colli Fiorentini subzone boasts some of the best expressions of wine produced around the capital city. A ‘modern’ wine, with a body that is never too much, with bright hues, fresh aromas and good balance—these are the most evident characteristics of Chianti Colli Fiorentini wines, albeit with all the differences due to the individual areas, the diversity of the soils, the various microclimates and the personal interpretation of each winemaker.

The Chianti Colli Fiorentini covers the municipalities of Fiesole, Lastra a Signa, Impruneta, Bagno a Ripoli, Rignano sull’Arno, Incisa, Figline Valdarno, Pelago, Pontassieve and portions of the Reggello territory.

The symbol of the Consortium is the Marzocco, the lion holding the shield bearing the Florentine lily, standing atop the tower of Palazzo Vecchio.

The wine can only be found on the market after September 1, about a year after vinification.

Chianti Rufina and Pomino

Interior of a cellar in Rufina - Credit: Ambito Firenze e Area Fiorentina

Rufina—or, La Rùfina as it known among Tuscans—is a subzone of Chianti, located along the valley of the Sieve river, bordered by the hills that jut into the Apennines. The origins of viticulture in this area is truly ancient, with the wines of these lands being highly renowned even before the Grand Ducal era.

Chianti Rùfina needs a period of time to stabilize, before being refined in the bottle to acquire its characteristic ruby red color with garnet hues. In terms of timing, Chianti Rùfina can only be released as of September 1 of the year following harvest.

In the same area, in Pomino, a hamlet of the municipality of Rufina, the semi-mountainous environment creates the perfect conditions for producing red and white wines that are very elegant and come bearing a rich bouquet.
The small area and limited production have not prevented Pomino DOC wine from being appreciated internationally, in all its different expressions—red, white, Riserva and Vin Santo.

Dedicated to wine

The Impruneta grape festival - Credit: Costanza Giovannini

Wine production characterizes the area with its numerous farms, scattered throughout the countryside among hillocks and hillsides, as a way of carrying on with much pride a tradition that is always ready to be renewed and presented to the public—including tourists—on public occasions such as fairs, festivals or festivals.

The main events highlighting wine production are (in chronological order):

Chianti Lovers Week in early May in Florence
The Toscanello d’Oro held between late May and early June in the town of Pontassieve
The Grape Festival on the last weekend of September in Impruneta
Bacco Artigiano in late September in Rufina (this year from September 26–28)

And finally, transversal to all municipalities are the two events promoted by the Movimento Turismo del Vino in Tuscany, namely Cantine Aperte, seeing the cellars doors open in late May, and Calici di Stelle in August, with the main highlight on the 10ᵗʰ.