One of the most famous wine regions in Italy, Chianti, is right between Florence and Siena. It makes for an easy day trip from either Florence or Siena, but many visitors prefer to stay for longer and enjoy the many wandering hills filled with woods and the lovely vineyards.
The Chianti Wine Region is awash in interesting villages that are connected by back roads that wind up and down the hills. This area’s most famous wine is called Gallo Nero, or Black Cockerel. The area is noted for this wine worldwide.
Chianti has a great climate for growing these wonderful wines. In fact, the atmosphere has been one that has drawn many European settlers to live here from outside of Italy. Popular towns include Radda in Chianti, Gaille and Greve in Chianti. One good way to really get the most out of your visit Chianti wine region is to take some of the smaller roads to explore areas not as heavily trafficked by other tourists.
In September, Greve in Chianti is the location of the Chianti Wine Region’s biggest wine festival. Greve also has a fun Saturday market in the main piazza.
The Chianti Wine Region really embodies the Tuscany region. It also has olive groves amongst the charming villages.
The highway called SR222 runs from Florence right in the middle of Chianti. It’s also known as Strada Chiantigiana. One scenic route is to take the Strada highway in Chianti south of Florence and Greve in Chianti, which has many wine tastings and events that people enjoy.
Greve in Chianti
Greve in Chianti is actually the capital of the Chianti Wine Region. This town is friendly with many markets and tons of cafes. You can also find many wine bars, called enotoche, and many craft shops. Greve’s Piazza Matteotti is a nice place to visit. It has a statue of Giovanni de Verrazano, who discovered the New York Harbor. Perhaps more interesting is the charming market held in Piazza Matteotti each Saturday in the mornings.
Panzano
Panzano is quite a lovely stop in the Chianti Wine Region. It has both an old town and a new town. However, you’ll need a car, because there is no train service here. Part of Panzano still retains its medieval walls. The church in Panzano is called San Leolino and dates to around the 10th Century.
Radda in Chianti
Radda in Chianti sits atop a hill with two nearby valleys – Val di Pesa and Val d’Arbia. You need a car to reach this town, because there’s no train service to it. It’s a small town with many interesting streetscapes to explore. You’ll see many signs in Radda in Chianti that direct you toward camminamento, which is a passageway that circles part of the city within the walls that dates back to medieval times. One good stop at Radda in Chianti is the castle called Castello di Brolio, which was owned by one of the founders of what we know as modern Italy. It’s said that one of the founders actually invented the recipe for Chianti wine. The castle has cellars you can tour, but you need an appointment to do so.
