Eating & Drinking

Naturally, this is the homeland of Chianti Classico, even if Super Tuscans are also produced locally.  Chianti ranges from ruby-red to garnet in colour, darkening with age. The wine is dry, balanced but slightly tannic, with hints of violets, and goes well with grilled meats or pizza. Chianti Classico Riserva, which is more full-bodied and complex, goes well with game and Pecorino cheese.

The trademark on bottles of Chianti Classico is the Black Rooster (or Black Cockerel), the historic symbol of the Chianti Military League, depicted by Giorgio Vasari on the ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. Our recommended wine estates are featured in each of the individual Chianti guides. Make a point of sampling Chianti Classico wines in the Casa Chianti Classico, the official wine-tasting centre in neighbouring Radda. Also make Castello di Volpaia wines the starting point for an outing to the fortified hamlet of Volpaia, north of Radda.

This is just a taster to the Chianti. See our restaurant recommendations below and also see our other guides to top Chianti towns and villages, all accessed through our Destinations listings.

This friendly, homely inn in Castagnoli is popular with locals and visitors. The seasonal menus make use of such local produce as truffles and wild boar and includes some Sienese specialities and plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes. The mid-priced menu ranges from Pecorino souffle in a courgette sauce to duck breast, T-bone steak, or ravioli stuffed with Pecorino and beans in a Chianti Classico sauce. A typical meal concludes with cantucci biscuits and Vin Santo.

Address: Via del Castello 2
Localita Castagnoli
Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 731921
Web: www.ilcelliere.it

Tucked into an early 14th-century building in the heart of Radda is this homely wine bar. It also doubles as a good-value inn and wine shop. Along with a wide selection of Tuscan wines, you can tuck into taglieri, platters of home-cured meats or cheeses, along with porchetta (roast suckling pig). For something more substantial, choose stubby pici pasta with a meaty ragù sauce, ravioli with black truffle or hearty ribollita soup. Florentine tripe, wild boar stew and Sienese ossobuco are also on the menu.

Address: Piazza IV Novembre, 53017 Radda in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 738055
Web: www.casaporciatti.it

Set about 7 km south of Castagnoli, this appealing inn lies in Castello di Brolio, the ancestral castle estate of the Ricasoli wine dynasty. Combine a tour of the castle with lunch in the estate inn. Alternatively, the sunset tour of the castle includes dinner in the Ricasoli’s restaurant. Your castle ticket also allows for a free wine-tasting in the Ricasoli tasting rooms below the castle. With lunch, indulge in the Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2006. Dishes are creative twists on traditional Tuscan cuisine. Along with classic Florentine-influenced meat dishes, expect more fish than found in most of the Chianti. Such dishes as olive gnocchi in pecorino sauce or rabbit salad with crispy spelt can also be paired with Ricasoli wines.

Address: Castello di Brolio, Localita Madonna a Brolio, 53013 Gaiole di Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 7301
Web: www.ricasoli.com

This popular stop on the Chianti trail lies along scenic roads 9 km east of Radda. The rural restaurant is set on the glorious wine and olive oil estate of Badia a Coltibuono, complete with its 11th-century abbey. Housed in the former stables, the inn makes use of a charming terrace in summer. Dine under a rose-trailing pergola and tuck into largely organic produce, including from the estate. Modern Tuscan dishes include cured meats, organic pasta with wild duck sauce, fennel soup, lamb or rabbit mains, and home-made fruit tarts or chestnut pastries. The impressive seasonal tasting menu is complete with a wine pairing of four wines. The estate wine, oil and chestnut honey are also on sale.

Address: Badia a Coltibuono, Localita Badia a Coltibuono, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti
Tel: +39 0577 749031
Web: www.ristorante.coltibuono.com