DOCG · Toscana
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico DOCG (Toscana) at a glance: 3 recorded wine types, with the main requirements from the official production specification. Listed types include Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and Chianti Classico Riserva. The technical sections cover grape yields, minimum ageing, market-release rules for the relevant wine types.
✓ Verified· September 2026
Production rules at a glance
Quick overview of the key requirements. Values and conditions can vary by wine type: consult the detailed rules and official source.
RegionToscanaProvinceArezzo, Firenze, Siena
Wine typesChianti Classico, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico Riserva
Grape varieties / compositionVaries by wine type: see the comparison below
Maximum grape yield7.5 t/haMaximum wine yield—
Minimum planting density4,400 vines/haMinimum alcoholic strength12% vol
Ageing—Minimum ageing in wood—
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Quick comparison within the appellation
ParameterChianti ClassicoChianti Classico Gran SelezioneΔ vs A
ColourRedRed—
Grape varietiesSangiovese 80–100%Sangiovese 90–100%—
Maximum grape yield7.5 t/ha7.5 t/ha0 t/ha (0%)
Maximum wine yield———
Minimum planting density4,400 vines/ha4,400 vines/ha0 vines/ha (0%)
Ageing—30 months—
Minimum ageing in wood———
Minimum alcoholic strength12% vol13% vol+1% vol (+8.3%)
Minimum total acidity4.5 g/l4.5 g/l0 g/l (0%)
Minimum sugar-free extract24 g/l26 g/l+2 g/l (+8.3%)
Release for consumptionvintage + 1 years——
AChianti ClassicoBChianti Classico Gran Selezione
Colour
ARed
BRed
Δ vs A—
Grape varieties
ASangiovese 80–100%
BSangiovese 90–100%
Δ vs A—
Maximum grape yield
A7.5 t/ha
B7.5 t/ha
Δ vs A0 t/ha (0%)
Maximum wine yield
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum planting density
A4,400 vines/ha
B4,400 vines/ha
Δ vs A0 vines/ha (0%)
Ageing
A—
B30 months
Δ vs A—
Minimum ageing in wood
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum alcoholic strength
A12% vol
B13% vol
Δ vs A+1% vol (+8.3%)
Minimum total acidity
A4.5 g/l
B4.5 g/l
Δ vs A0 g/l (0%)
Minimum sugar-free extract
A24 g/l
B26 g/l
Δ vs A+2 g/l (+8.3%)
Release for consumption
Avintage + 1 years
B—
Δ vs A—
TOOLS
Appellation calculators
Vineyard area and production, grape-to-wine yield, release for consumption and latest marketable vintage.
Common questions
How long must Chianti Classico be aged?
For the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wine type, the specification records at least 30 months of ageing. Other wine types may have different requirements; see the detailed rules below.
When can Chianti Classico wine be released for sale?
The permitted release depends on the rules for the specific wine type and, where required, its vintage. Check the official specification and the calculator where applicable.
TECHNICAL DATA
Structured data by wine type
Data by wine type
Numeric values come from the shared structured database. Official names, geographical names and regulatory wording are kept in Italian where appropriate.
Chianti Classico
Grape compositionSangiovese 80–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type7.5 t/ha4,400 vines/ha11.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Pratiche locali, leali e costanti; arricchimento consentito secondo Art. 5.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino più o meno intenso12% vol4.5 g/l24 g/l
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Grape compositionSangiovese 90–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type7.5 t/ha4,400 vines/ha11.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Deve provenire esclusivamente da uve dei vigneti condotti dall’azienda imbottigliatrice; vietato arricchimento con prodotti esogeni; aumento del titolo naturale massimo 1% vol.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing30 months—3 months in bottle
Minimum total 30 months: 3 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 27 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l26 g/l
Chianti Classico Riserva
Grape compositionSangiovese 80–100%
Viticulture
RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
Wine type7.5 t/ha4,400 vines/ha11.5%—
Winemaking
StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Pratiche locali, leali e costanti; arricchimento consentito secondo Art. 5.
Ageing
TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing24 months—3 months in bottle
Minimum total 24 months: 3 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 21 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.
Characteristics at release
ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l25 g/l
Municipalities / permitted area
Greve in ChiantiCastellina in ChiantiRadda in ChiantiGaiole in ChiantiSan Casciano in Val di PesaBarberino TavarnelleCastelnuovo Berardenga
Official source
Official product specification · Chianti Classico