Chianti is the most well known Italian wine. The dominant grape in Chianti is Sangiovese but it often contains Cabernet Sauvignon or some other type of grape. Chianti is a luscious wine admired for its rich, velvety, berry fruitiness accented with a touch of toasty oak. Chianti wines are typically dry, tart and fruity when young. With age the tart flavor fades, leaving a dry and fruity wine with a wonderfully complex floral bouquet. Chianti is an excellent red wine to accompany almost any type of Italian cuisine. Chianti was the basket-bottle wine, served on a red checked tablecloth, holding a romantic candle. In a modern reworking, Chianti now usually comes in a standard glass bottle, looking for a more elegant image. If you're a traditionalist, however, some brands still use the basket.
Chianti comes from the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. Only wines from this region can properly be called Chianti, although some other areas are using the name on their labels.