Chianti Colli Aretini
キャンティ・コッリ・アレティーニ
Lighter, brighter Sangiovese from the hills above Arezzo.
About Chianti Colli Aretini
- Producers listed
- 2
Chianti Colli Aretini is one of the seven official sub-zones of Chianti DOCG, located in the province of Arezzo in eastern Tuscany, where vineyards climb the hills around the city of Arezzo and the upper Arno valley, often above 300m elevation. Soils are predominantly clay and limestone, and the mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers helps grapes ripen fully while preserving natural acidity. Wines must contain at least 70% Sangiovese, typically complemented by local varieties Canaiolo and Colorino, and increasingly international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Compared to other Chianti sub-zones, Colli Aretini wines tend to be lighter-bodied with more pronounced acidity and a less complex bouquet: deep ruby red in color, with a fine, floral nose of cherry and violet, and a harmonious, savory palate with soft, moderate tannins. Minimum alcohol is 12%, with aging requirements of at least 12 months for the standard wine and 24 months for Riserva.
Best for
Great for those wanting a lighter, acid-driven Chianti for everyday meals, and fans of Sangiovese exploring lesser-known sub-zones.
Food Pairings
Pasta with meat ragu, roasted or grilled meats, game, and aged pecorino cheese.
Producers
ポデーレ・オルティカ
Podere Ortica
Podere Ortica is a certified organic estate in Civitella in Val di Chiana, in the Colli Aretini hills of the Chianti zone between Florence, Arezzo and Siena. Founded in 2015 by Francesca Bidini — an agronomist-turned-winemaker who began working in her father's organic vineyards in 2006 — the 30-hectare farm devotes 7 hectares to native varieties (Sangiovese, Malvasia, Trebbiano, Colorino, Canaiolo) and 2 to olive groves. Fermentation is spontaneous with wild yeasts, macerations are short in cement or steel tanks, and wines are bottled young without filtration. Each cuvée is named after a member of Francesca's family — Ade, Ago, Agade and Ati — reflecting the estate's intimate, family-run character. The house style favors drinkability: light-bodied, low-alcohol wines defined by simplicity, elegance and vivid acidity rather than extraction or structure.
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www.podereortica.it/ヴィッラ・ラ・セルヴァ
Villa La Selva
Villa La Selva is a historic wine estate in Montebenichi, in the commune of Bucine (Province of Arezzo), set in the Valdambra valley between Siena, Arezzo and Florence. The property, once a fortified watchtower guarding the valley, belonged to the Florentine de' Medici family from the early 1400s. Since 1957 it has been run by the Carpini family, who transformed it into a boutique wine resort while preserving its 12 hectares of vineyards, planted mainly to Sangiovese alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malvasia and Trebbiano. Villa La Selva has been certified organic since 2020, hand-harvests its grapes, and vinifies with minimal intervention in stainless steel before aging select wines in barrique. The estate produces around 40,000 bottles a year across labels such as Felciaia (Sangiovese), Selvamaggio (Cabernet Sauvignon), Merlo Rosso (a Sangiovese-Cabernet-Merlot blend) and Vigna del Papa, a Vin Santo del Chianti DOC made from Malvasia and Trebbiano.
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villalaselva.it/en/
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Chianti Colli Aretini located?
- It is one of the seven official sub-zones of Chianti DOCG, situated in the province of Arezzo in eastern Tuscany, with vineyards on the hills around Arezzo and the upper Arno valley, often above 300m elevation.
- Is Chianti Colli Aretini the same as Chianti Classico?
- No. They are distinct classifications: Chianti Colli Aretini is a sub-zone of the broader Chianti DOCG, while Chianti Classico is a separately regulated DOCG covering the historic core zone between Florence and Siena with stricter rules.
- What grapes are used in Chianti Colli Aretini?
- The wine must contain at least 70% Sangiovese, usually blended with local varieties Canaiolo and Colorino, and increasingly international grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
- How does Chianti Colli Aretini compare to other Chianti sub-zones?
- It tends to be lighter-bodied with more pronounced acidity and a less complex bouquet than Chianti Classico or Rufina, making it an approachable, food-friendly style meant for relatively early drinking.