Tuscan Wine Curator introduces you to the Chianti Colli Fiorentini area and its wines
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI WINE ZONE
Chianti Colli Fiorentini is the Chianti DOCG sub-zone closest to the city of Florence, and quite fittingly its symbol is the rampant lion that overlooks Florence from the wind vine atop the tower of Palazzo Vecchio.
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI TERROIR
The Chianti Colli Fiorentini wine zone stretches east, south and west of Florence, from Fiesole to Certaldo, over hills and wide valleys at average altitudes of 150-350m a.m.s.l., with a predominately stony and compact soil of clay and limestone. Over half of the vineyards have a south-east or south-west exposure. The climate is temperate, with an adequate average rainfall to support quality viticulture despite moderate water deficits in the summer. November is the wettest month.
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI GRAPE VARIETIES
As a Chianti sub-zone, Colli Fiorentini wines are made primarily from Sangiovese grapes (70% minimum). Other local varieties are Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia, Colorino, and Verdicchio. Foreign grapes include Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI WINE TYPES
Rosso di Toscana IGT, Chianti Superiore DOCG, Chianti Riserva DOCG. Niche wines include SuperTuscan aged in Barrique casks or terracotta jars, Bianco di Toscana IGT, Bianco di Toscana IGT macerato (orange wine), Rosato di Toscana IGT.
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL
The great development of viticulture took place under the Medici rule. At the time, the wine from this area was known as ‘Vinum Florentinum’ or ‘city wine’. In September 1994, the producers of the Colli Fiorentini area formed the Chianti Colli Fiorentini Consortium to protect the appellation.
CHIANTI COLLI FIORENTINI TRIVIA
In Impruneta, the self-proclaimed "Capital of the largest Grape Republic in the world" a large Grape Festival has been held every year since 1928 on the last Sunday in September.
