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- Country: Italy
- Region: Toscana
- Subregion: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
- Commune/Village: San Casciano in Val di Pesa
The vineyards and land comprising the La Sala estate date back tothe 11th century and boast the distinction of having been owned by theMedici family. The estate comprises 21 hectares, 15 of which arededicated to the cultivation of grapes intended for the production ofChianti Classico. La Sala is presently under the primary direction ofLaura Baronti, who oversees a staff comprised exclusively of women.
Chianti has passed through many phases, enduring more than one identitycrisis or two. Things became particularly challenging when the originalzone—Chianti Classico—was enlarged to comprise a significant portion ofToscana, fulfilling the government’s desire to fashion a brand name asopposed to a wine of quality. The DOC production formula, whichpermitted the inclusion of white grapes, favored quantitative concerns.The granting of DOCG status to both Chianti and Chianti Classico,however, realized significant improvements (notably the admittance ofinternational varieties) and further improvements were introduced in1996 (tighter yield restrictions and greater allowance for the use ofinternational varieties). Chianti benefited the most, however, from theefforts of the Chianti Classico consorzio to identify clones ofSangiovese that produce more concentrated fruit. At present, a ChiantiClassico must be a minimum of 80 percent Sangiovese (Chianti’s minimumis 70 percent), although it may actually be pure Sangiovese, as is LaSala’s rendition.
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