Planning a trip to Florence, Italy? Lucky you—this colorful city has it all: awe-inspiring Renaissance art, architecture, and historic monuments, breathtaking river and city views, and delectable food and wine.
Unsurprisingly, though, the city’s charm attracts its fair share of crowds, and after a few days of the hustle and bustle, nothing is better than a quick escape to the countryside. Fortunately, Chianti wine country, only a quick 30-minute drive away, invites you to immerse yourself in its picturesque landscapes, tranquil vineyards, and hearty Tuscan cuisine.
Chianti Rùfina: The Hidden Jewel of Tuscany
Chianti Rùfina is the most historic of the seven subzones that fall under Italy’s Chianti DOCG. Situated in the hills to the east of Florence, Rùfina enjoys a more continental climate and higher altitude compared to its fellow Chianti DOCG appellations. This unique environment results in Sangiovese-based wines characterized by good tannins and acidity, akin in style to the more well-known Chianti Classico wine, which comes from its own distinct DOCG appellation (not a part of the seven Chianti DOCGs).
Chianti Rùfina wines have been known since the Middle Ages for producing some of the region’s finest Tuscan red wines, and in modern times, these wines have been frequently sold at Florence’s wine bars and trattorias.
While they are well-praised by wine critics, this gem of a wine appellation still awaits discovery by wine enthusiasts. Often, they are mistakenly grouped with generic, inexpensive Chianti wines from other, less distinguished areas of the region and, as a
This Article was originally published on The Wine Chef
