Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG

Chianti Classico DOCG: 100% Sangiovese, 100% Tuscany!

Alongside the "superstar" Flaccianello, Chianti Classico is of course also the most important wine at Fontodi in terms of quantity. As one of three pure Sangiovese wines in the Fontodi range, Chianti Classico can confidently be described as Flaccianello's "little brother". Of course, the very best grapes are used for the Flaccianello, but despite this, the Chianti Classico has a lot to offer in terms of taste and quality. After all, Giovanni Manetti, the owner of the Fontodi winery, can be considered one of the pioneers of the rediscovery of the autochthonous Sangiovese grape variety - first with his commitment to Flaccianello, later for other of his wines and ultimately as a role model for numerous other Tuscan winegrowers. Because at a time when the whole world was demanding wines made from international grape varieties and the Super Tuscans were in great demand, Giovanni Manetti focused on Sangiovese, modern methods of vinification and the use of barriques. The grapes for the Chianti Classico are first placed in steel tanks for two weeks and then in Troncais and Allier barrels for 18 months. The success has proven Signore Manetti right to this day! 200,000 bottles of Chianti Classico are produced annually for wine connoisseurs all over the world. 

Wine enjoyment from the golden valley of Panzano in Chianti

The heart of Tenuta Fontodi is located in the best vineyards of the Conca d'Oro, in the golden valley of Panzano in Chianti, south of Florence. The Manetti family acquired the estate in 1968. Giovanni Manetti, who runs the business today, was only 16 years old when his family bought the estate. After careful consideration and with a clear decision in favor of the Sangiovese grape, the replanting of the vineyards in Conca d'Oro began. Although international wines were "en vogue" at the time, Fontodi celebrated success after success from 1981 onwards with Flaccianello della Pieve, made entirely from Sangiovese grapes. It was and still is quite possible that wine lovers know the label, which is adorned with an Etruscan cross, and the contents of these bottles very well, but do not know which winery this fine wine comes from. Today, Giovanni Manetti is the sole director of the 130-hectare estate - more than 80 hectares of which are vineyards. Around 400,000 bottles of wine are produced annually from the grapes, which are grown on the completely organically farmed land.

Superstar Sangiovese: This is pure Chianti Classico in a wine glass

There is no doubt that the Sangiovese grape has a firm grip on the Fontodi range: three of the five red wines are made entirely from Sangiovese - naturally from grapes from different vineyards and with different fermentation and maturation processes. The top name among the red wines is still the Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale IGT - made from one hundred percent Sangiovese, unchanged since 1981. The largest quantity is produced from Chianti Classico - also a 100 percent Sangiovese. Number three in the series of pure Sangiovese wines is the Gran Selezione from Fontodi, as which the Vigna del Sorbo has been classified since the 2010 vintage. The exact opposite of these three Sangiovese wines is the Syrah Case Via - a single-varietal international red in the Fontodi range which, despite the Syrah grapes, reflects the typical terroir of Panzano, as wine connoisseurs and lovers are convinced. Rare, but no less sought-after, is the Meriggio - a white wine from the Chianti Classico and a one hundred percent Sauvignon blanc. 

Tenuta Fontodi: organic wine meets dream vacation on perfect terroir

The use of pesticides was abandoned early on at Fontodi - today the winery is officially certified as an organic farm. The interplay of terroir, i.e. the sites where the vines grow and the grapes ripen, and the "Galestro" soil, which is ideal for Sangiovese, produces wines here that need not shy away from international comparison. All these conditions ensure that the Sangiovese in Conca d'Oro matures perfectly while retaining its freshness, acidity and structure. Of course, the international grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc also feel at home in the Fontodi vineyards - to a much lesser extent, of course. It is also truly magnificent to spend your vacation in one of the two agriturismo establishments that belong to the winery: Whether at Villa Pecille, with its five gorgeous apartments and pool in the middle of the vineyards on the upper edge of the Conca d'Oro, not far from the medieval town of Panzano in Chianti. Or at Agriturismo La Rota, which has three lovingly furnished apartments and a pool in the heart of the valley. This is simply pure Tuscany!

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Panzano in Chianti

Giovanni & Marco Manetti

Giovanni Manetti

80 ha of which 70 ha are classified as Chianti Classico

Galestro

South, Southwest

430 - 480 meters above sea level.

6,000 vines per ha

Guyot