The Enoteca del Chianti Classico on Piazza Matteotti is the best starting point for understanding the wines of the zone. It stocks a comprehensive range of Chianti Classico producers — from the large cooperative estates to small family wineries — and the staff know their way around the bottles.
You can taste by the glass at the counter, or buy bottles to take away. The selection covers the full range of classifications: Chianti Classico (the basic DOCG), Chianti Classico Riserva (at least two years ageing), and the Gran Selezione (single-vineyard, estate wines, at least thirty months). This is the best place to taste across producers before deciding which estates to visit.
The enoteca is under the arcades on the western side of the piazza. Open daily in the summer season; reduced hours in winter.