Is Ruffino Chianti good?
Yes, Ruffino Chianti is a good, food-friendly Italian red for about $10: bright, tart-cherry flavored and made for pizza and pasta night.
Ruffino Chianti · Sangiovese · Tuscany, Italy · nearly everywhere
- Alcohol
- About 12.5% to 13%
- Sweetness
- Dry
- Grapes
- About 70% Sangiovese, plus Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and others
- Made by
- Ruffino, owned by Constellation Brands
- From
- Chianti, Tuscany, Italy
- Price
- About $9 to $12
- Calories
- About 115 to 125 in a 5 oz glass (estimate)
What it tastes like
Sour cherry, red plum and a hint of dried herbs. Light-to-medium and zippy-tart, ending dry and slightly grippy.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
- Gripsmooth → grippy
Is it worth $10?
Yes, for food. On its own it can taste a little tart, but with tomato sauce it comes alive. That bright tang is exactly what tomato-based dishes need.
Who it’s for
For anyone cooking Italian, and people who like reds that are fresh rather than heavy. If you prefer smooth, jammy reds, it may feel sharp.
How to serve it
Serve slightly cool, about 15 minutes in the fridge.
The backstory
Two Ruffino cousins started the winery in Tuscany in 1877, and this Chianti has been the house signature ever since. Constellation Brands has owned Ruffino fully since 2011 and kept it when it sold off its cheaper wines in 2025. It ages in steel and concrete tanks instead of oak barrels, which is why it tastes fresh and tart instead of vanilla-y.
How it compares
- Ruffino Chianti vs Duboeuf Beaujolais
Beaujolais is softer, juicier and less tart, so pick it for sipping on its own and Ruffino for anything with tomato sauce.
- Ruffino Chianti vs Alamos Malbec
Alamos is fuller, smoother and darker for the same price, better with tacos and burgers, while Ruffino wins with pizza and pasta.
- Ruffino Chianti vs La Crema Pinot Noir
La Crema Pinot is similar in weight but rounder and fruitier, at about twice the price, so it is the pick for salmon or roast chicken.
What to eat with it
Questions people ask
- What kind of wine is Ruffino Chianti?
- A dry Italian red from the Chianti area of Tuscany, made mostly from the Sangiovese grape. Sangiovese is known for tart cherry flavor and high acidity, which means a mouth-watering zing.
- Is Ruffino Chianti the same as Chianti Classico?
- No. Chianti Classico comes from the original, smaller heartland of the region and has stricter rules. Ruffino makes both; the Classico bottles (like Riserva Ducale) cost more and taste deeper.
- How much is a bottle of Ruffino Chianti?
- Usually about $9 to $12 for a 750ml bottle. Big 1.5 liter bottles are common too and are a good deal for parties.
- Who owns Ruffino?
- Constellation Brands, the US company behind Corona and Modelo in America, which became full owner in 2011. Ruffino stayed with Constellation when it sold Woodbridge, Meiomi and other cheaper wines in 2025.
- Is Ruffino Chianti sweet?
- No, it is dry and on the tart side. If it tastes sharp on its own, drink it with food; tomato sauce and cheese make it taste smoother.
If you like this, try
- Duboeuf BeaujolaisGamay · about $13Drink this one
- La Crema Pinot NoirPinot Noir · about $25Drink this one
- Alamos MalbecMalbec · about $10Good buy
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with pizza?
- What wine goes with lasagna?
- What's the best wine under $15?
- What is dry red wine?
- What is Chianti?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Ruffino; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Ruffino.