Chianti Tuscany vacation rentals Chianti accommodation Greve in Chianti accommodations Greve in Chianti vacation rentals, Tuscany holiday homes, accommodations in Tuscany, lodgings in Chianti, rental villas in Tuscany, Chianti Bed & Breakfast. Book Gaiole in Chianti, Italy Bed and Breakfasts Hotels Chianti hills Reservations Bed and Breakfast Reservations Online Book Hotels and B&B inns. If you travel all the way to Italy, then you better be prepared to spend at least one day in the Tuscany region Chianti true flavor of Italian wines, cheeses, art, and scenic landscapes are stored in Tuscany and its many small hilltop towns.  You are better off using one of the proven Tuscany tour companies or independent guides to give you a complete tour of the Chianti wine region, Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra, and many other wonderful towns located in Tuscany.

Chianti, Tuscany Holidays in the Wine Region near Florence and Siena

The Chianti area in Tuscany is one of the most beautiful in the whole region, as well as the most well-known and appreciated by visitors from across the world.

The borders of the Chianti region are not clearly defined but in general it extends over the provinces of Florence and Siena, covering all of the area between the two cities and extending to the east toward the Valdarno and to the west to the Val d'Elsa. The Chianti wine area extends further beyond the two cities, all around Florence and even toward Arezzo, Pistoia and Montepulciano.

The Chianti Region, an area 65 square miles in size, is located just south of Florence and north of Siena.  Although there are bus tours from both cities, the area is best explored by car.  Road SS-222 is the major wine route, and from it branches a maze of minor roads, not all kept in the best condition or even paved.

This area is considered one of the oldest wine regions in the world, as evidenced by the medieval castles and ancient towns that line the hillsides.  One of the grapes (the Canaiolo nero) used to make Chianti predates the Roman civilization and was once known as the “Etruscan grape.”  

The name Chianti most likely was taken from a noble Etruscan family name, the Clantes.  In the 13th century Florence created the “Lega del Chianti” to unite the three most important areas, Castellina, Radda and Gaiole.  The black rooster became the symbol of the Lega del Chianti.  In 1716 the Grand Ducal defined the boundaries of the Chianti Region and codified the rules for making Chianti.  Since wineries outside of the official boundary began marketing their own wines as Chianti (though not following the rules of production), the “Consorizo del Gallo Nero” was established (1924).  

The wineries that are members of this consortium use the black rooster as their symbol, and together these wineries make about 80% of the Chianti Classico produced today.  You will know you have an authentic bottle of Chianti if the black rooster is on the pink label at the throat of the bottle.  The main attraction for a visitor to this region are its many wineries and medieval towns.  Below you will find some information on the best choices in alphabetical order.  If you are interested in touring a winery and having a tasting, it is best to reserve in advance.  Although reserving one or two days in advance may be enough, a week or more in advance is appropriate in busy months (May-September).  For our clients traveling to this region, we can make arrangements for a tour and tasting.  Chianti is a wine producing region in Italy world famous for its dry, red wines. Chianti is located in the center of Tuscany,with Florence on the northern end and and Siena marking the southern boundary. The region is divided into smaller areas with the Chianti Classico area being the center and the most prestigious wine.

Other Chianti sub-regions are Chianti Rufina, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Sensesi, and Chianti Colli Aretini. The main grape used in Chianti is the Sangiovese variety, but it may be blended with other grapes, including Trebbiano. Chianti is a wine to enjoy with food, especially the foods of the region.

Charming towns of Chianti

Badia a ColtibuonoBarberino Val D'elsa BrolioCastelnuovo Barardenga CastellinaCastell'in VillaCerna S. Donato in Poggio Fonterutoli The castle of Gabbiano	Greve Lamole MeletoMontegrossi Montefioralle Monteriggioni Monte Scalari The Pontignan Carthusian Monastery Panzano Passignano Abbey	Radda S.Andrea in Percussina S.Felice S.Gusmé S. Maria Novella S.Polo in Robbiana Starda The Castle of Verazzano Volpaia

Greve in Chianti (the old name was Greve; in 1972 was renamed Greve in Chianti after the inclusion of that area in the Chianti wine district) is a town and comune (municipality) in the province of Florence, Tuscany, Italy. It is located c. 31 km south of Florence on A1 higway, and 42 km north of Siena.

Tuscany Wine Tours: Excellent wine tasting tour in Tuscany. Get a tour of the Tuscany vineyards by a true wine oficionado. Tuscan-wine-tours.com is run by Rebecca. She offers a perfect Chianti Classico wine tour in the region close to Florence - available as a private tour or in a small group. You get to taste wines like Chianti Classico, a Riserva and an IGT Super Tuscan. Prices range from 240 Euros per person down to 100 Euros. Check out the website for more details on the 4 wine touring itineraries and how to book.  They have 1/2 and full day tours with expert guides and exclusive visits to wine cellars that include wine tasting and gourmet Tuscan lunches. Prices are about 120 Euros for a full day - includes transportation to and from your hotel and lunch. You can also search the forums on the Tripadvisor.com site with hundreds of entries from fellow travelers who have done similar tours and can give you references and feedback on who is the best and most reliable.

ONLINE RESERVATION HOTEL IN CHIANTI AREA
Finest Hotels in Tuscany in the Chianti Area where even the most demaning tourists will find quality accommodations charming and luxury hotels in Chianti Area Florence hills from cheap hotels to luxury accommodation in chianti area tuscany relaxing hills your best holidays on Bed & Breakfast around Siena Florence Chianti Hotels hotel reservations lodging guide the name of Chianti is linked to the wine, but also its Olive oil is of the highest quality. A Farmers Union guarantees its quality and establishes its characteristics. It is produced respecting ancient tradition and conserved in terracotta pots.
Observing these rules, the best olive oil comes up with a unique taste, the leading actor in Italian cooking.

Online accommodation booking on top cities in Chianti area top page   San Gimignano - Val d'Elsa ed Empolese Chianciano Terme - Tuscany Spa and Health Resorts Chianciano Terme - Val di Chiana

Other destinations in Chianti area in alphabetical order top page    C  Cecina Valley [16] Chianti [101] Crete Senesi [21]  F  Florentine Mountains [12]  V  Val d'Elsa ed Empolese [135] Val d'Orcia [24] Val di Chiana [102] Val di Merse [16] Valdarno [24]