Castello Di Poppiano - Canaiolo Toscana 2021 (750ml)

Canniaolo has been growing in Chianti for a long time - maybe longer than Sangiovese - but it probably would have gone extinct in the 20th century if not for the legal requirement that Chianti Classico had some "other red grapes" in it until 1999.  But even as Chianti has gotten more serious, a few producers have gotten excited by the grape's ability to deliver soft and supple, easy to drink, reds that don't require a hunk of grilled beef to enjoy. This shows lovely ripe strawberry and black cherry fruit with a subtle whiff of summer flowers and just a touch of earth for complexity on the smooth, easy, finish. It can take a bit of a chill if you like and makes for a fine, all-purpose, Italian house red.

Caniolo is best known as one of the other local grapes that used to have to be blended with Sangiovese to make Chianti Classico. Today a few producers have gotten excited by the grape's ability to deliver soft and supple, easy to drink, reds that don't require a hunk of grilled beef to enjoy. This shows lovely ripe strawberry and black cherry fruit with a subtle whiff of summer flowers and just a touch of earth for complexity on the smooth, easy, finish.