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This town has become Chianti’s unofficial capital. There are wine shops galore, but the most popular spot is Macelleria Falorni, one of Italy’s great butchers, stuffed with hanging prosciutto , ageing cheeses and free samples.

A vineyard since 1007, Brolio has been the soul of the Chianti region since “Iron Baron” Bettino Ricasoli, Italy’s second prime minister, perfected the Chianti wine formula in the 1800s.

The only hilltop member of the Chianti league (great views) is capped by the 15th-century Palazzo del Podestà studded with stone coats of arms of past mayors. There’s another good butcher/grocer’s here called Luciano Prociatti.

The Antinori wine empire owns the vineyards round this 11th-century monastery. Sunday tours (3pm) get you inside to see Domenico and Davide Ghirlandaio’s Last Supper fresco and, in the San Michele chapel, baroque paintings by Ridolfo di Ghirlandaio and local boy II Passignano.

This 14th-century hamlet, hovering directly above Greve, consists of a single circular street, two churches and fantastic views over the valley and on to the 10th-century Pieve di San Cresci church below the walls.

Just south of Panzano lies this little Romanesque church with several Sienese paintings from the 13th to 15th centuries and a pretty little brick cloister.

The most medieval of the Chianti League towns, with a glowering Rocca fortress. Via della Volte – a tunnel-like road pierced by “windows” overlooking the countryside – was a soldiers’ walk when this was Florence’s last outpost before Siena.

A perfect 6th-century BC tomb, with four passages tunnelling into the burial chambers. There is a light switch beside the gate.

This abbey from 770 includes an 11th-century church, Lorenza de’ Medici’s cookery school and a classy restaurant run by her son Paolo.

This often-overlooked town (view from town) is the home of Dario Cecchini (arguably Italy’s best butcher) and a couple of fine enoteche , where you can sample local wines with snacks.