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"Classic" Italian Today, let's turn back to the "classics" with another wine from the same company, Mazzei's 1998 "Fonterutoli" Chianti Classico. Chianti Classico, just as the name implies, is Chianti made from grapes grown in the central ("classic") part of the Chianti region, and it's made under somewhat stricter regulations than regular Chianti. But changes in the Italian wine regulations since 1985 have relaxed the rules. For centuries, in order to bear the name "Chianti," wines had to be made of a standard blend of grapes - two red (Sangiovese and Canaiolo) and, in small proportions, two WHITE grapes (Trebbiano and Malvasia). The new rules allow variations - wine makers must use at least 75 percent Sangiovese, but the rest may include the old varieties or even such "non-traditional" grapes as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot; or as Mazzei has done with this vintage, it may be 100 percent Sangiovese. One thing remains constant - a quality Chianti (and the "Classico" all but ensures quality) will be an amiable wine, fruity yet tart, and it will go very well with food.
FOOD MATCH: Demonstrating Chianti's flexibility with Italian fare, it made a first-rate match with a meatless summer dinner of pasta with fresh basil pesto and a ration of caprese, fresh tomato slices topped with mozzarella, olive oil and basil. WINERY WEBSITE: http://www.fonterutoli.it/index-en.html (English)
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Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2001
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