Chianti

[wineman6537]

What is the difference between a California Chianti and an Italian Chianti?

[Innkeeper]

Hi 6537, and welcome to the Wine Board. Haven't seen any California "Chianti" lately. It is or was one of several wine names that bulk California pruducers misappropriated from legitimate European wine regions. Others included Chablis, Burgundy, Rhine, and Champagne. The grapes that went into the California versions were not even the same as those in the authentic ones. The harm done by this practice is incalculable. If I had a dollar for every person I've had to explain "real Chablis" to, I'd be a rich man. Fortunately, though some can still be found, most of these bogus imitations have left the market.

Italian Chianti is a blend of grapes built primarily around the noble sangiovese grape. It is raised in California and made into a wine called Sangiovese. This is similar to, but not the same as Chianti. A wine is not just grapes. It is also the result of what is called terroir (combination of soil, orientation of vineyard, amount of rain, sun, etc) and winemaking skill and tradition.

One of the benefits we have of Europeans naming their wines after regions is when we hear it, we can clearly indentify with the wine. Not so when we just hear the name of the grape. Sangiovese grown in Italy, California, Australia, and other places does not give you the singular identity when mentioned unless you add the country or region to it.