CHIANTI CLASSICO, THE EVALUATION OF ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR WINE TERRITORIES IN ITALY – by Filippo Magnani

 

Chianti Classico Collection in 2021 becomes “Chianti Classico Connection”

The Black rooster is an identifying symbol of one of the most interesting wine areas in Italy.  It is a wine that is always evolving. Chianti Classico is a land of such versatility and richness that could be confusing, that’s why the Consortium has an important role in spreading awareness and territorial promotion. The Collection is an annual event of the Anteprime Toscana, dedicated to one of the most fascinating wine areas in the world.

The “Collection”, this year, was entitled “CC” (Chianti Classico) “Connection”.  This global event is synchronized in 5 different countries, including multiple days at the end of May for Chicago, Florence, London and New York and the end of June was reserved for Munich, and Tokyo. In these six important cities, the Black Rooster presented a hybrid format combining an in-person tasting for the sector’s professionals and online interaction with the producers. The Consortium gathered a selected international audience from the wine sector, with the attendance being over 2,800 experts and members of the press, 400 wines being presented with10,000 bottles being tasted.

The 27th edition of the Collection was held In Florence, the 20th and 21st of May, in the beautiful Cloister of the Santa Maria Novella Museum, in the 14th-century Dominican convent attached to the Basilica, an iconic symbol of the Renaissance.

Chianti Classico Moving Forward

The Chianti Classico area is a unique “mosaic” of microclimates to discover. It is a wine district always in evolution. Two main measures approved recently: the Consortium formally introduced 11 subzones “Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (UGA)”, allowing different villages to further express the versatility of the Chianti Classico area, and to label their production with the specific name of their land. The Members of the Council also embraced the introduction of new tight specifics on the Gran Selezione category, showing off the increasingly widespread tendency to enhance the full potential of Sangiovese.

Chianti Classico New Sites on Subzones

This new “micro-site identification” was attributed not only to geological and scientific studies, but also from the so-called human factor, in terms of local culture and traditions. The UGA applies only to the Gran Selezione wines which is t 6% of the production of the vintage but with the goal of broadening it to Riserva and Chianti Classico wines.

Gran Selezione Regulation Switches Toward Sangiovese

The other step was made on the specifications to further the restrictions for the blend of the Gran Selezione. The new approved proposal increases the proportion of the Sangiovese to a minimum of 90%, and eliminates the international grapes in any blend of the Gran Selezione. Finally, the remaining 10% is limited only to Chianti Classico native grapes: Canaiolo, Colorino, Malvasia Nera., and others.

Chianti Classico the Ultimate Wine Destination

The Chianti Classico region has for centuries been one of the most popular destinations for wine enthusiasts. It is a wine paradise held by the arms of its two historical capitals: Florence and Siena.

This area is mainly covered with woodlands, principally oak, chestnut and pine as well as cypress, situated on a plateau at altitudes between 200 and 800 metres. The highest altitude for growing grapes for Chianti Classico wine is 700 metres a.s.l. The local climate is continental with significant day-night temperature variation, generally low winter temperatures – below 4-5°C – and hot, dry summers, often reaching temperatures of over 35°. Geologically the land is a shield of clayey schists (marl), with layers of scaly clay, alberese and fine limestone sandstone.

Chianti Classico Passport

Chianti Classico is offered in three different types that represent its qualitative pyramid:

Chianti Classico ‘Annata’
Chianti Classico ‘Riserva‘, and
Chianti Classico ‘Gran Selezione’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chianti Classico – A Wine Lovers’ Paradise 

Chianti Classico gets its name from an area of Tuscany that is famous for its food, lush rolling hills and medieval towns.  A territory to discover through extraordinary wine estates, luxury retreats, beautiful landscapes, historical charming buildings, superb wine and exceptional restaurants. A wine-vocated area that, every year, attracts professionals and wine lovers from all over the world. To assist visitors through the exploration of an area fundamental for our region’s history and culture, the Consortium has now launched the Chianti Classico Card.

A passe-partout to open all the doors into the Gallo Nero world: over 200 unforgettable experiences are available through this card, from guided tastings in the wineries to picnics in the vineyards, visits to museums in the area, and discovering artistic and architectural treasures hidden among the vine rows of Chianti Classico. The Gallo Nero Card aims to guide tourists through an exploration of one of the fundamental elements of our region’s history and culture: Chianti Classico wine and all the gems of its production territory.

My tasting at  C.C.C 2021

Having spent only one day at Chianti Classico Collection, I have reviewed 162 wines, from Annata Chianti Classico 2019 and 2018, as well as Riserva and Gran Selezione 2018 categories. The Chianti Classico 2019 Annata showed beautiful lively-colored, ripe fruit with great aromatic intensity. An appropriate level of natural acidity guarantees good fragrance. The vast majority of wines I tasted were graceful with slightly lower alcohol content than average previous vintages. The Chianti Classico 2018 Annata, in general, turned out to be soft, fruity with good structure and balance. This is partly a reflection of the vintage which started cool and continued quite rainy through the summer, ending with nice weather during harvest. I found a wide range of great wines, showing high intensity and complexity of aromas in the Riserva and Gran Selezione 2018 categories.

On my radar : Chianti Classico Annata 2019 

Winery:  Istine
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg 2019  (100% Sangiovese – bio)
Ruby colour with paler hue towards the edge. Intense bouquet of cherry with balsamic notes. Lovely entrance, round with ripe fruit, medium body. Firm, velvety tannins with a long finish. I love it!

Winery: Castello di Ama – Ama
Wine:  Chianti Classico Docg 2019  (96% Sangiovese, 4% Merlot)
Brilliant, ruby red with compacted rim. Pronounced flavour of cassis with overtones of violet. Full-bodied with bright acidity. Well balanced with rich red fruit and soft tannins. Harmonious end. Great wine.

Winery: Fattoria San Giusto a Rentennano
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg 2019  (95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo – bio)
Ruby core with light purple rim. The nose is fruity and dynamic with a hint of spiciness. Well-structured body with medium alcohol and soft tannins.  Dry and fresh, with a long persistence. I like it very much.

Winery: Quercia al Poggio
Wine:  Chianti Classico Docg 2019  (80% Sangiovese, 5% 10% Ciliegiolo, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Malvasia Nera – bio)
Clean, ruby red with a paler tinge. Lovely aromas of strawberry and cherry with a touch of roses. Full body with round, sweet tannins. Fresh and harmonious finish. Very good wine.

On my radar : Chianti Classico Annata 2018 

Winery: Val delle Corti
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg 2018  (95% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo)
Intense ruby red with paler reflections. Distinctly rose floral nose mixed with hints of cherry. Full-bodied with pleasant red notes developing on the palate. Medium tannic structure. Long and fresh aftertaste. Ac harming wine.

Winery: Cinciano
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg 2018  (100% Sangiovese)
Ruby core with light purple hue towards the edge. The nose is fruity and dynamic with a hint of pepper. The palate expresses ripe red cherry with a well-structured body, medium alcohol and soft tannin. A bit light at the end. A good wine.

Winery: Castello della Paneretta
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg 2018  (85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino)
Medium ruby-red. Intense flavour of red plum and notes of violet. Medium acidity with discreet alcohol level. Fruity and spicy. Quite a long finish.  I liked it.

On my radar : Chianti Classico Riserva  2018 

Winery: Castello di Monsanto
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Riserva 2018  (90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino)
Medium ruby core, paler towards the edge. The wine displays an intense flavour of wild berry with scents of new leather. Rich and powerful,  good balance of body, fruit, acidity and firm tannins. Lovely wine with great potential.

Winery: Bibbiano
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Riserva 2018  (100% Sangiovese- bio)
Bright, intense ruby with garnet hue. It displays an intense flavour of cherry and blueberry with light earthy overtones. Juicy and vibrant with a medium-bodied palate, soft tannins and toasty light notes at the end.  I really appreciated this wine.

Winery: Fèlsina
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Riserva Rancia 2018
Ruby colour turning slightly garnet on the rim. Beautiful aromas of ripe cherry and prune with balsamic overtones. Blackcherry in the palate with a light smoky scent. Medium body with round, fine tannins. Fresh delicious finish.

Winery:  Monteraponi
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Riserva Il Campitello 2018 (90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo, 3% Colorino – bio)
Deep garnet core with ruby tinge. Complex nose with flavour of  black cherry and prune with a note of rhubarb. Fragrant, juicy palate with present acidity. Discrete alcohol level and soft tannins well integrated with the fruit. Long finish. A great, fine wine.

On my radar : Chianti Classico Gran Selezione  2018 

Winery: Conti Capponi – Villa Calcinaia
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Gran Selezione Vigna Contessa Luisa 2018  (100% Sangiovese – bio).
Intense and brilliant garnet colour. Its bouquet is intense and ample with notes of blackcurrant and violet. The palate is rich and elegant. Full-bodied with impressive freshness and velvety tannins. Long finish. Great wine.

Winery: Ricasoli – Castello di Brolio
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Gran Selezione 2018  (100% Sangiovese)
Clear, deep red garnet colour. Intense flavour of cherry, blueberries and violet. Spicy with notes of liquorice and mint. The mouth is dense with medium soft tannins and toasty hints. An elegant wine with long and pleasant aftertaste Charming, fine wine. This is an excellent wine

Winery: Fontodi
Wine: Chianti Classico Docg Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo 2018  (100% Sangiovese – bio)
Brilliant, deep garnet colour with a compact rim. Various and intense aromas of ripe plum, blackberry and chocolate. A full-bodied wine with rich dark cherry fruit well balanced with soft tannins. Elegant and harmonious finish. Outstanding wine,  clear expression of pure Sangiovese with long life.

Always a big ”Thank You” to my colleague and friend Liz Palmer !

Filippo Magnani

 

 

 

 

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New Zealand Winegrowers Announce Inaugural 2021 Wine Week

The New Zealand Winegrowers has just revealed details its inaugural New Zealand Wine Week, which kicks off February 8th, 2021 as a virtual event.

With activities planned across the USA, UK, Ireland, and Canada, there is a wide-range program including tastings, discussions, and online activities, including ‘Challenging the Myths around Food Miles.’

The events have been designed to explore New Zealand’s wine story showcasing its “premium, sustainable, and diverse wines”, states NZW.

They will also offer participants the opportunity to participate in live discussions with leading wine voices from around the world.

“In these challenging times we are delighted to be able to work together across our key Northern Hemisphere markets to bring a wide range of valuable intel and insight from renowned speakers,” said Charlotte Read, general manager, marketing.

“We aim to shine a light on many aspects of New Zealand wine during this week and show that even though we can’t physically be together, we can raise the profile and celebrate New Zealand wine with our trade and media audiences,” she added.

Other activities include: ‘What’s New… What’s Next!?’ – a winemaker led panel discussion seminar exploring behind the scenes in New Zealand wine cellars;  ‘Pinot Noir Soils’ – a webinar delving into the different regions that excel in growing Pinot Noir; Syrah Masterclass – exploring the diverse styles and regional expressions with Rebecca Gibb MW; New Release Self Pour – a guided self-pour tasting to explore a set of new releases from New Zealand; and Instagram Lives with Dr. Jamie Goode plus several New Zealand winery personnel to explore different facets of New Zealand wine.

As part of the week, an online New Zealand wine catalog will also be launched, aimed at trade-based in US, UK, Ireland, and Canada, which will provide a service whereby customers can browse participating winery profiles and compare varieties, price, channel, and availability in each market.

For full details and registration

https://www.nzwine.com/en/events/new-zealand-wine-week/

 

Chef Marco Pierre White launches “£7,000 Spring Gastronomy Experience’” in the Scottish Highlands

Tempestuous Chef Marco Pierre White has just launched a three-night food experience at Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the Scottish Highlands which will set you back £6,910. The ‘Spring Gastronomy Experience’ is being offered by Satopia Travel.

In its promotional material for the four-day culinary adventure, Satopia Travel dubs Pierre White “the Godfather of modern British cooking”.

The experience includes meals created by the outspoken chef, a tour around the Alladale Wilderness Reserve, and accommodation in a recently refurbished Victorian manor with Laura Ashley interiors.

White was the youngest ever chef to be awarded three Michelin stars, scooping his third at Restaurant Marco Pierre White at the Hyde Park Hotel in 1994 when he was just 33.

Since retiring from the kitchen, White has opened over 40 restaurants in the UK.

Russell Crowe is set to play Chef Marco Pierre White in a forthcoming biopic about the chef.  The actor has also written the script and will be producing the film.

Satopia Travel Website:

https://satopiatravel.com/

Alladale Wilderness Reserve Website:

https://alladale.com/

“The Ultimate Guide To Champagne” is recommended as one of the ten best Champagne books

Megan Starr, Travel Editor, Content Editor, and Marketing/SEO Specialist, based in Frankfurt, Germany has recommended The Ultimate Guide To Champagne as one of the ten best Champagne books to read.

“Liz Palmer’s The Ultimate Guide to Champagne is one of the best books available for those looking to learn everything about the world of Champagne. A perfect accessory for a beginner, it takes you through the history and makings of Champagne, from how to shop for it to how to store it. The book’s exquisite detail and the clear in-depth knowledge possessed by the author is easily transferred from writer to reader.

Hailing from (Toronto) Canada, the author has spent plenty of time traveling throughout the region getting to know the area in great detail that you would easily believe she spent her whole life living and working there.”

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Champagne-Liz-Palmer/dp/0991894634

https://www.meganstarr.com/best-champagne-books/

Osorno Chile has ‘Tremendous Potential’ for high-quality sparkling wine

One of Chile’s principal producers of sparkling wine, Miguel Torres Chile, is hoping to exploit the Osorno Valley’s “tremendous potential” for high-quality sparkling wine, according to winemaker Eduardo Jordan.

Jordan said he believed the area in the Los Lagos region of Chile was ideally suited to the production of premium sparkling wine.

Jordan said: “The south is the future for sparkling wine. I think that the Osorno area has tremendous potential to produce high-quality sparkling wines since the cold weather and the mixture of volcanic and alluvial soils present the ideal environment for this type of wine.”

He recalled how the producer has been experimenting with sparkling wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the region since 2017 and the results “are well on track to-date”.

To make the wines, Miguel Torres Chile is working with a grower with which it has had a long-term contract. It has already released a wine from the area – a Sauvignon Blanc – which is part of its Cordillera range.

“It’s a vertical Sauvignon with a citric acid mouthfeel typical of this area and that which is difficult to find in other areas of Chile”, said Jordon.

Osorno, located at a latitude of 40 degrees – roughly the same as the North Island of New Zealand – it is one of the emerging wine regions in the far south of Chile, giving its name to a city, province and volcano in the region. With as much as 1,500mm of rainfall a year, it can be a challenging area to grow grapes, according to Jordan. It is mainly planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a smattering of Riesling.

“Due mainly to climate change in Chile, today it is possible to plant vineyards in places that were unthinkable eight to 10 years ago, due to rising temperatures and lower rainfall in the summer months. Osorno is one of those places in Chile where today there are a small number of producers or wineries who have dared to plant vineyards”, Jordan added.

Miguel Torres Chile was founded in Curicó in 1979. Jordan said that temperatures are noticeably warmer now, with the producer, which sources grapes from many regions in Chile, noticing big differences in picking times.

“In 2007 we really started noticing that temperatures were changing. The sea temperatures were warmer and summer temperatures are now 1-2 degrees higher”, he said.

“When we were founded, Curicó was considered south, now it’s central. Itata and beyond is now referred to as the south.”

Source: Drinks Business