Named after a growing region in Italy, Chianti is a style of wine made primarily from Sangoivese grapes. Bright and fruity, Chianti is Italy's most popular wine type. Today, Sangiovese is also grown successfully in California.

Sangiovese is Italy's most widely planted red. It's a native of Tuscany. The word means "blood of Jove," a romantic nod to the god Jupiter. Slow-growing and late-ripening, Sangiovese grapes make rich, elegant, strongly fragrant red wine.

The name "Chianti" actually refers to a specific appellation within Tuscany.

While Chianti today is more often made from nearly 100% Sangiovese grapes, Tuscan winemakers are also experimenting with blending wines. They use Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah in the blends. This technique has given rise to the new wave of "super Tuscan" wines that have helped to revitalize this winegrowing appellation.

Production and marketing changes have pushed Chianti sales. In 2000, sales in the United States were up 27%.

Today's innovative mix of contemporary and traditional techniques is steadily improving the quality of the region's Chianti.