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CHIANTI CLASSICO
The expression Chianti Classico suggests the oldest and most genuine area in the Chianti region. As a matter of fact Chianti is a vast area in Tuscany and is divided into 7 sub-zones, each one producing its Chianti wine with a specific name and label.
Chianti Classico stretches between Florence and Siena and includes only 14 municipalities: the whole territory of Greve in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti and Radda in Chianti, and part of the territory of Barberino Val d'Elsa, San Casciano in Val di Pesa and Tavarnelle Val di Pesa within the Province of Florence, and part of the territory of Castelnuovo Berardenga and Poggibonsi in the province of Siena.
The Black Rooster
Chianti Classico seal is a black rooster (Gallo Nero in Italian) on gold. Legend has it that in 13th century Florence and Siena decided to dispute a funny horse race to end their fights for Chianti. The meeting point of two knights, who had left respectively from Florence and from Siena when the rooster sang at dawn, would be the border of their territories. Florentines got a black rooster and kept it for a few days in a box with no food. On the race day when they took the rooster out of the box he sang much earlier than dawn and the Florentine knight left before the Sienese one and met him only 20 km from Siena walls. Since then the black rooster has been the symbol of Chianti: fist of the Chianti League in 13th century and then of the Chianti Classico Consortium.
In this small wine-region is produced one of the best-known and appreciated wines: the Chianti Classico Wine. It's included in the Super-Tuscan wines and has been produced here for over 2000 years, since Etruscan time. This Tuscan region was named Chianti and recognized as a wine-region since 13th century and its borders were defined in 1716 by an edict issued by Gran duke Cosimo III de' Medici.
What makes unique Chianti Classico compared to other Chianti wines is the unmistakable pink label with the Black Rooster seal. This particular label is the symbol of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium, founded in 1924 to protect, promote this wine and prevent wine fraud.
Chianti Classico is a DOCG wine and shows unique peculiarities and characteristics. To be named "Classico" is not enough to be produced within the Chianti region. In fact Classico wine has to respect specific rules. Its blend is 80% for Sangiovese, red grape typical of this area, 20% for other grapes that can native grapes such as Canaiolo and Colorino, as well as other international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Its peculiarities are a limpid ruby red color, floral notes for its odor and with an harmonious, dry and sapid flavor with a good level of tannin. The minimum alcohol level should be 12 degrees.
The best Sangiovese grapes are used to produce Chianti Classico Riserva, a particularly esteemed wine. Riserva wine has a deep ruby red color and requires a minimum maturation of 24 months including three months of bottle fining, as well as 12,5 degrees as minimum alcohol level.
Someone said that when you taste Chianti Classico wine, you'll never forget it ... taste it and prove it!
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