 All Chianti wines are designated DOCG and are produced in the designated appellation area between Florence and Siena. Made primarily from Sangiovese (min of 75%) and other allowed grape varieties including the local Canaiolo and Mammolo and international varieties like Cabernet and Merlot, the best wines come from Chianti Classico region.
However, these are very expensive and the 160% import duties in India make them beyond most people's reach. Two-thirds of the production takes place in the area outside the Chianti Classico zone. This includes Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Colli Aretini, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli and Chianti Rufina.
Opus Chianti Riserva is from the Rufina region. This is the highest and coolest sub-zone in the Chianti appellation, to the East of Florence and comes closest in terms of quality of Chianti Classico wines. Wines from this region are acidic and quite tannic, making them longer lived. Riserva means it has been kept in the oak for longer period making it more complex. The 2001 vintage was a very good vintage. The wine lasts 5-8 years, slightly more for good vintages. So the wine should be at its peak right now.
The garnet coloured wine is a dry, medium wine with typical Chianti bouquet of berry fruits that carries into slightly spicy, flavours of black cherries and leaves a pleasant taste in the mouth. Its lower alcohol level of 12.5% is also a positive feature. It comes in a dark Bordeaux type bottle.
 Although the wine shines with pepperoni pizzas, pastas with Bolognese sauces and sausages, it will be enjoyable with mutton and chicken kebabs and tikkas, possibly mutton curry, rajmah-rice, mushroom dishes and also by itself because of its mellow tannins right now.
This Chianti Riserva retails for Rs. 1290- Rs. 1300 in Delhi and Gurgaon at most outlets. Buy it from air-conditioned shops only. For a special price to the DelWine visitors at Rs. 990 each for 6 bottles or more makes it a highly recommended wine. Contact Manoj Joshi, GM of the importer at 9873880032.
Serve at 16-18°C after keeping the opened bottle for 20-30 minutes.
The wine is imported by Vinner Wines Pvt ltd., who own the Opera label and also import Lambrusco sparkling red, Pignoletto white and Sangiovese di Romagna under the same label.
Subhash Arora |