What does Chianti Classico mean to you? We can’t wait to see if you have something new to add to the list !
You have a thing for black roosters; Sangiovese rocks; Balance is a very good thing indeed in wine; Italy’s best is my favorite; classic is the new fashion; It’s DOCG Chianti Classico or bust; young at heart with knowing years…
Quantity decreased while optimism grows for the quality of a vintage with Sangiovese at the helm
The 2012 harvest in Black Rooster territory caused worry with several months of drought. Fortunately, after this dry season and one of Chianti’s hottest summers on recent record, late August brought enough rain to ensure that even this unusual summer would end in a good harvest for Chianti Classico.
The drier weather that came in through the summer certainly did influence the amount of grapes brought to the cellar. Wine production in 2012 was 16% less than the previous year, some 235,000 hl. With this smaller crop came optimism for a fine vintage. This optimism proved practical once people started to taste the wines.
Sangiovese weathered the unusual weather patterns of 2012 nicely, and thanks to its adaptability, the wines are tasting sensational.
Healthy grapes reached the cellar in perfect condition thanks precisely to the high temperatures and lack of moisture that kept the usual vine infestations (downy and powdery mildews) at bay. This helped foster correct, quick fermentation after pressing, with average alcohol content remaining at acceptable levels (at about 14° at most).
So 2012 promises very balanced wines, with excellent ratios of alcohol, acidity and polyphenols that seem to be guaranteeing mellow products, very fruity and with good but not excessive alcohol content.
For a full report on the 2012 vintage, please see: http://chianticlassico.com/blog/?attachment_id=706
Despite the fact that Chianti Classico production is falling (-20%), the demand for the wines is increasing. The United States continues to be one of Chianti Classico’s biggest markets. These facts and others regarding Chianti Classico were presented recently in Florence at the annual Chianti Classico Collection event - a showing of the new vintage of Chianti Classico wines. And it was not just facts that were presented by the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium.
A Chianti Classico Revolution has begun - a revamped logo, a new wine at the top of the quality pyramid, a new requirement for Riserva, and stricter regulations on bulk wine, and more were presented at the Collection event.
The name of the new wine at the top of the pyramid is called: Great Selection, and now Riserva and Vintage will be placed under the new wine on the pyramid.
For Riserva wines, a Chianti Classico may become reserve only if the manufacturer declares it so earlier on in the production process.
Bulk wine may be marketed only if certified as Chianti Classico (ie only after the tasting committee has certified it as such), unlike today with the so-called “action to become.” It has to prove itself as quality or its a no-go for that wine.
Restyling of the historic brand logo – the black rooster - by Robilant & Associates says goodbye to parchment and shape of cap, the black rooster comes back singing — expressing energy, beauty and elegance.
The band with the new logo will be moved — the final spot has yet to be determined!
More news to share soon -
Ciao!
February 19th, 12 noon…be one of the very first to see the new Black Rooster!
The BIG reveal will be streaming online from the live event In Italy at the Chianti Classico Collection. Feel like you are there and hear the news as it happens :
www.chianticlassico.com/collectionstreaming
Just what will the new black rooster look like?
Historic changes to the Chianti Classico DOCG have been officially approved by the majority of the Chianti Classico Consortium’s Member Assembly, allowing for a major revamping of the denomination.
As proposed by the Chianti Classico Consortium’s Board of Directors, the following measures were ratified:
The official approval for revamping the denomination comes after more than two years of dedicated work by the consortium’s board of directors, and included the hiring of outside experts as well as numerous member and pre-assembly meetings.
“Today we conclude a path taken more than two years ago with the precise intent of re-launching the denomination by means of changes to production regulations aimed at keeping abreast of the heightened product quality our wines have achieved in recent years”, stated Sergio Zingarelli, President of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. “I am confident that these new tools will enable us to meet future challenges with a set of rules able to make Chianti Classico stronger with regard to growing international competition. I thank all consortium members, the board of directors and the previous presidency, all of whom contributed to this important accomplishment”.
Initial approval for these changes was given by consortium members at last year’s May 28th, 2012 assembly, but important details had yet to be finalized. With yesterday’s ratification from the full assembly, the denomination can now fully embark on revamping the Chianti Classico DOCG.
The changes affect different stages of the production chain from winemaking to brand communication. Details on each of these changes will be presented at a February 19, 2013 press conference held during the denomination’s Chianti Classico Collection event held at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence. Included in the presentation will be an unveiling of a new Chianti Classico image to be featured as part of the DOCG revamping.
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It will be a great vintage for Chianti Classico this year! While we don’t know about the grape harvest yet, here we are talking about the Black Rooster soaring around the country in 2013 and having good fun with wine lovers.
Trade Tasting March 14th New York City
On March 14th, the Black Rooster will swoop into NYC for a trade tasting of its wines. If you are trade and you wish to go, just let us know!
Live Twitter Tastings
A whole host of Twitterings will take place twice this year, where the wines of Chianti Classico will be tasted live on two separate nights and dicsussed — all with Consorzio members and a winemaker or two from the region right on Twitter. You can grab a Chianti Classico and join in – dates to be announced soon!
International Food Bloggers Conference
Want to be in the one place that will definitely have incredible wine and culinary treats this year? The food bloggers conference is it! The Black Rooster will swoop into Seatte, Washington for one very extraordinary food and wine experience!
Attending the Society of Wine Educators Conference this year?
We will be there as well! Just wait till you taste our latest wines! We’ll also be spreading lots of news this year, so come keep up to date on Chianti Classico, one of the classic wine regions of the world.
So much more is coming – this is going to be quite a year! Cheers
Images of Chianti Classico
Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays to all!
THIS
PLUS THIS
MAKES FOR ONE FINE THANKSGIVING… BUT
THIS
PLUS THIS
MAKES FOR THE BEST THANKSGIVING EVER. Happy Thanksgiving all !
Chianti Classico has its own wine Acadamy, set in the 18th century Convent of Santa Maria al Prato at Radda amongst the rolling hills and vineyards of the Chianti Classico region.
Never has school been so fascinating as to join a venue steeped in history, with classic wines that are the very best expression of Sangiovese, along with knowledgable instructors who will teach you exactly what you want to know.
For your next visit to Tuscany, get enriched — not only in mind, but also in body by taking in the beautiful wines of Chianti Classico at the Chianti Classico Academy.
For more information, click here.