Scanning the wine list at anItalian restaurant, you might pick Chianti strictly out of familiarity, especially if you're new to wine. After all, you've probably wandered past a dozen or so bottles labeled "Chianti" at your local wine shop. You may remember the jug your grandparents used to bring out forpasta night. And perhaps you've noticed that some bottles sport a distinctive black rooster, even if you don't know why.
Long prized by wine geeks, Chianti Classico is making acomebackof sorts, thanks in part to its producers' zealous pursuit of quality winemaking. Chianti Classico's sales have climbed over the last two years, most likely fueled by wine producers' efforts to promote the region and highlight its differences from other appellations in Chianti.
Here's a bit about the wine, the rooster, and a few inexpensive bottles of Chianti Classico that express the incredible range of its wine producers.
The birth of Chianti Classico
Wait — is Chianti a wine or a place? Actually, it's both: Chianti is a mountainous Tuscan wine-growing region. Cosimo III, Grand Duke of Tuscany, legally established its borders in 1716, demarcating the area we now know as Chianti Classico, aka "old Chianti." (At the time, "Chianti Classico" was just "Chianti," and the wines made there were called — you guessed it — "Chianti.") The new legal designation was created in response to the area's reputation for quality. Its wines were known to make frequent cameos on royal tables throughout Europe, and its producers were keen to protect their interests.
However, no one consistently enforced the rules for who could use the name "Chianti" on wine. Since any winemaker could produce "Chianti" and trade on the region's long-established reputation, in the 19th and 20th centuries, many winemakers outside of Chianti did just that. Even winemakers as far abroad as California began to put the label "Chianti" on their wines and use the region's signature fiasco (those famously round, straw-clad wine bottles). As subpar producers jumped on the Chianti bandwagon, its standing among wine drinkers began to slip.
In 1932 the Italian government created a new law limiting which areas could use the Chianti name, as a response to pressure from regional winemakers. Much to the anger of producers from Chianti's traditional boundaries, however, this law also expanded Chianti to include surrounding regions that historically weren't considered part of it. Fortunately for those within Chianti's original boundaries, the law allowed them to use a new, exclusive label: Chianti Classico.
What about that rooster?
The black rooster, or gallo nero, is the symbol of Chianti Classico, a subregion of the larger Chianti production zone with a centuries-old tradition of quality winemaking. In 1924, a consortium of winegrowers in the original Chianti zone began using the black rooster motif — originally adopted by the Chianti League, a medieval military organization founded to defend the region's political borders — as their emblem. In 2005, the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico ("Chianti Classico Wine Consortium") chose the rooster to appear on the label of all Chianti Classico wines. Today, any bottle of real-deal Chianti Classico will feature a black rooster label. For the record, no one else is permitted to use this insignia.
Chianti Classico also maintains stricter winemaking laws than the larger Chianti region, regulating planting density, alcohol level, aging, flavor characteristics, and many other factors. Recent laws have added two special classifications:Riserva, which must age for a minimum of 24 months, andGran Selezione, for which grapes must come from a single estate and age for a minimum of 30 months.
American "exceptionalism"
Occasionally, you might find a bottle of wine labeled "Chianti" that — surprise! — isn't from Italy, let alone Chianti. How is this possible? Oddly enough, these labels are legal because of a loophole in an agreement between the U.S. and the European Union about how U.S. wine producers can label their wine. Americans were once allowed to use European place names on their labels; many stateside winemakers used them to indicate the style of the wine. (A hearty red might go by "Bordeaux," while a crisp white might be "Chablis.")
A 2006 trade agreement made this practice illegal, but many wines were grandfathered in, including California jug wine behemoth Carlo Rossi's famous "Chianti." Grown in sunny, pancake-flat Modesto — far from Tuscany's famous hills — Rossi's version doesn't taste much like the real thing.
How Chianti Classico is made
In the U.S., we tend to talk about wine in terms of grape varieties: "I love Pinot Noir," or "Chardonnay's my favorite." In Europe, though, wine is all about place. Every region boasts unique features and winemaking traditions that lend different flavors to wine grapes.
Take elevation, for instance: Chianti Classico's vineyards are, on average, 350 meters above sea level. Those higher altitudes means that there's more atmospheric pressure, resulting in cooler air and allowing grapes to ripen more slowly. Cooling sea breezes also help to temper Tuscany's heat. While warm days are important to help grapes ripen fully and develop their characteristically intense flavors, these cooling influences along with nightly temperature drops help to preserve grapes' natural acidity and lengthen the growing season for added complexity.
Then there's the land itself — Chianti Classico's soils include clay-limestone composite albarese and rocky clay-schist mixture galestro, which help to regulate the vineyards' temperature and water retention.
Finally, there are the grapes. Chianti wines largely comprise a grape called Sangiovese. Tough to grow and fond of warm climates, Sangiovese is an acidic, thin-skinned grape. In Chianti, it typically becomes a tart, tannic, bold red wine with notes of cherry, plum, and garden herbs. With age, it can develop savory notes like soy sauce or salami.
Chianti owes much of its current flavor to Bettino Ricasoli, a 19th-century Italian landowner and politician who popularized the (then lesser-known, now regionally dominant) Sangiovese grape. Though Ricasoli's recipe for Chianti differs from today's highly regulated incarnation of the wine, Sangiovese still comprises most (and occasionally all) of the blend.
Basic Chianti must be made from at least 70% Sangiovese grapes, while Chianti Classico must be at least 80% Sangiovese. The rest can be a mix of a limited number of grapes, such as native Italian grapes like Canaiolo or international varieties like Merlot.
The winemaking process also affects Chianti Classico's flavors. Wines that remain in contact with the grape skins for longer periods during winemaking tend to feature more robust tannins and a deeper color, while those made with less skin contact have a lighter, more approachable style. Aging in oak — traditionally in large, old barrels, but sometimes in small, new ones for a stronger oak flavor — can add flavors of baking spice and vanilla.
Chianti Classico to try this year
Here are a few bottles I recommend to first-time Chianti Classico drinkers, all of which ring in around $20–$25.
Villa Calcinaia 2018 Chianti Classico
This Chianti Classico pours a deep, dark ruby and features a nose of intense blackberry. Fermented at 84° F, the wine is full-bodied, with ripe fruit on the palate, and prominent tannins. (Higher temperatures extract more color and tannin.) The alcohol level is a whopping 14.5%, thanks to south-facing vineyards that soak in the Tuscan sun, but the wine remains refreshingly acidic despite its weight and intensity. It might be the wine you're looking for if you're serving rich, fatty, savory foods such as steak or pork.
Canonica Di Cerreto 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva
Ripe, rich, and full-bodied, with 18 months of oak aging, this wine could be the ideal gateway Chianti for drinkers more accustomed to ripe, hot California Cabs. With its notes of wet stone, ripe black plum, black cherry, and baking spice, this fruit-forward Riserva offers ripe tannins and balanced acidity, and clocks in at 14.5% alcohol.
In contrast, this wine features more savory, less fruit-forward flavors. With notes of olive, herbs, tea, bramble, and sour cherry, this wine ends with an edge of pleasant bitterness. Its elegant, fine-grained tannins and reserved style wouldn't overpower delicate pasta or fish courses.
Ruffino 2018 "Riserva Ducale" Chianti Classico Riserva
Another savory, earthy Chianti Classico. Aged for 24 months in large oak casks and concrete vats, this Riserva features a delicate body, elegant tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and flavors of cranberry, tart cherry, bramble, and a hint of soy sauce. The wine's alcohol content — 14% — is well integrated enough that it slips into the background.
FAQs
What does the rooster mean on a Chianti bottle? ›
The Black Rooster is the symbol of Chianti Classico DOCG. A red ring around it means it's a regular Chianti Classico and a Gold Ring around it means it's a reserve. Chianti DOCG is still good and worth drinking. It's just a different style of wine.
What does the black rooster represent? ›The black rooster has been a symbol of power, victory, and pride for the Florentines since the 1200s. Siena and Florence were in constant dispute over their territories, but when the rich soil of the Chianti region was up for debate, both sides were willing to race for it.
What's the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico? ›The main grape in both appellations is Sangiovese. In Chianti Classico, the wine must be made from at least 80 percent Sangiovese grapes. In Chianti, only 70 percent needs to be Sangiovese. And while Chianti Classico only allows red grapes, Chianti allows up to 10 percent white grape varieties.
What does Chianti Classico refer to? ›Chianti Classico is a dry, red wine made only in a specific part of Tuscany in central Italy. Here's how to make sure you're getting the real deal. 1. It can be made in just one place in the world. Specifically in central Tuscany, in the mountain-air-cooled hills between Siena and Florence by the Monti Chianti.
What does a rooster symbolize in Italian culture? ›Roosters of Fortune
It is an Italian tradition to give a ceramic rooster pitcher as a wedding or housewarming gift because the rooster symbolizes good fortune or good luck and is believed to protect one from dangers.
The bottles should not be exposed to direct light, natural or artificial. Do not store Chianti in the fridge or in the freezer. Both are too cold and risk spoiling the wine. After opening a bottle of Chianti, it is best to drink it within 2 or 3 days.
What does the rooster symbolize in the Bible? ›In Christian tradition, the rooster is the symbol of Christ, like the eagle and the lamb, particularly emphasizing the solar symbolism, light and resurrection. As Christ, the rooster announces the light that follows the night.
What does rooster mean in slang? ›(figuratively, obsolete slang) A violent or disorderly person. (figuratively) A powerful, prideful, or pompous person.
What does the Bible say about roosters? ›Matthew 26:75 states that after Peter heard a rooster crowing, he “remembered the words Jesus had spoken, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. ' And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Peter wept bitterly because he was confronted with an awful truth.
What are the three levels of Chianti? ›There are several categories of “Chianti.” There's Chianti, which is the catchall appellation at the bottom of the quality pyramid; Chianti Classico, which has its own appellation; and Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Senesi, subzones of Chianti known for their high-quality bottlings.
What does Classico mean in Italian wine? ›
Classico. A classic zone within a particular region. This doesn't mean the wine is better, just that it's from a 'classic' wine growing area. Riserva. A wine that's been aged for longer than the normal version of the same denomination.
What makes a wine a Chianti? ›To be labeled Chianti, the wine must be produced in the Chianti region and made from mostly Sangiovese grapes. In most instances, winemakers choose to use Sangiovese entirely, but in vintages where balance is needed, native grapes such as Canaiolo and Colorino are included in the blend.
What does Chianti mean in Italian? ›Definition of Chianti
: a dry usually red wine from the Tuscany region of Italy also : a similar wine made elsewhere.
Its scent and taste will remind you of forest fruits, cherries and strawberries, and you might even notice smoke, balsam, or woodsy aromas. It's also high in acidity, which makes Chianti perfect with pretty much anything you're craving.
Is Chianti a healthy red wine? ›Is Chianti a healthy red wine? It shares the health benefits of red wine, if drunk in moderation. Its polyphenol strengthens gums and teeth, while initial research is showing that its resveratrol may reduce the rate of cancer growth and stimulate the release of insulin.
Why do Italians have roosters in their kitchen? ›The famous Italian Ceramic Italian Rooster Pitcher symbolizes "Good Fortune" and/or "Good Luck" and is believed to protect one from dangers. It is an Italian tradition to give a ceramic Italian rooster pitcher to a friend or relative, ideally as a housewarming or wedding gift.
What's rooster in Italian? ›Rooster is translated in Italian by...
Il gallo ci ha svegliati. The rooster woke us up.
i galli cantano - the roosters sing; sound: chicchirichí i gatti miagolano - the cats meow; sound: miao. i leoni ruggiscono - the lions roar; sound: grrrrrr. i lupi ululano - the wolves howl; sound: auuuuhh.
Do you drink Chianti cold or warm? ›Serve Chianti too cold and the tannin is the only thing you'll remember. We can say the same thing about most young red wines. As the wines age, the tannin starts to fade and becomes less of an issue. So serve your Chianti at 60 degrees and it will reach 65 degrees in the glass as you enjoy it.
How do you drink Chianti Classico? ›Chianti wine is best served chilled but not cold. Try to get it down to a temperature of 55 to 60 °F (13 to 16 °C) before you serve it. You shouldn't store Chianti in the fridge, though. If it's too cold, you'll miss out on the more subtle notes in the flavor.
Can Chianti go bad? ›
It largely depends on the amount of tannins the wine has. Wines with lower tannin levels, like tempranillo, pinot noir, chianti, and barbera, don't really get better with age, and can be consumed a year after their grapes were harvested.
Why do Protestant churches have a rooster? ›In the 9th century, Pope Nicholas made the rooster official. His decree was that all churches must display the rooster on their steeples or domes as a symbol of Peter's betrayal of Jesus. In accordance with the decree, churches started using weathervanes with the rooster.
What was the last word of Jesus before he died? ›Just before he breathed his last breath, Jesus uttered the phrase “it is finished.” Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.
What does a chicken symbolize in Christianity? ›The hen symbolizes ideal maternal love and Christian love: she is self-sacrificing, nurturing, protective, and comforting. The chicks, who like human youngsters are precious though inclined to be errant, symbolize the Hebrew people as Jesus is portrayed as having viewed them with respect to his mission.
What does this emoji mean 🐓? ›Section 4 of 4:
🐓 (Rooster): Used to depict a male chicken. 🐣 (Hatching Chick): Used to represent baby birds or chicks. 🐤 (Baby Chick): Used to represent spring or Easter. 🐥 (Front-Facing Baby Chick): Used to express innocence.
The simple answer to your question is no, roosters do not lay eggs. Roosters do not have the correct anatomy to be able to perform this biological feat. Hen's lay the eggs, and roosters fertilize the eggs.
What does good looking rooster mean? ›18. Rooster = A guy. “ He's a good lookin' rooster”
What does it mean to hear a rooster crowing at night? ›Crowing can help him alert his hens to any perceived threat the rooster has noticed. A lot of nocturnal predators will prey on chickens in the night and the rooster's crow may indicate he's spotted a predator and is sounding the alarm. The rooster's crow gives the hens the warning to seek shelter from the danger.
How many times does the rooster crow? ›Over the course of a normal day a rooster will crow around 15 times on average. If you have several roosters living together then the crow count will rise.
How many times did the rooster crow when Peter denied Jesus? ›The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
What is the difference between Chianti and Sangiovese? ›
Generally, sangiovese refers to a specific red grape variety, while Chianti refers to a type of Italian wine. All Chianti wines contain sangiovese grapes, blending them with cabernet, merlot, or syrah, which provides the wine with a silkier texture, fine finish, and even more fruity flavors than 100% sangiovese wine.
How long can you keep Chianti Classico? ›Whilst a Chianti Classico is a high quality wine, it doesn't have that extensive oak ageing that allows to develop great maturity. In general should really be drunk before the 10 year mark, whereas a great Riserva can last 10-15 years.
Is Chianti a cheap wine? ›Chianti wine price
Chianti has a reputation in the United States as being cheap table wine. In reality it can be very excellent wine if you know what to look for. Some of the best affordable Chianti brands include Cecchi Chianti DOCG, Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, and Bolla Chianti DOCG.
Sangiovese is the most widely planted varietal (71,500 hectares). It is responsible for some of Italy's best wines: Chianti Classico, Vino Noble di Montepulciano, and Brunello di Montalcino. The Montepulciano grape comes second, covering 86,000 hectares.
Is Chianti a grape? ›The primary grape used to make Chianti is the Sangiovese grape. Most Chiantis are 100% Sangiovese, but some winemakers in the region enjoy innovating and defying expectations by blending the traditional local grape with the following: 1. Cabernet, a thick, hearty grape that grows well around the world.
What makes Italian wine different? ›THE GRAPE VARIETIES: Italy's 20 regions are home to some 545 different vine varieties. An incredible number! What's more, these vines only grow and produce grapes in Italy, unlike French vines, which are grown all over the world. This means that the flavours of Italian wines are unique and not standardised.
What is the difference between Chianti and Cabernet Sauvignon? ›While both are great, Chianti has an advantage in terms of pairing with many different foods. On the other hand, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown worldwide, so there are many different styles to enjoy. Chianti is sweeter than Cabernet Sauvignon, but both wines are still considered dry wines.
Is Chianti Classico good wine? ›After spending a few days visiting chianti classico growers earlier this summer, I found plenty of wines that support the argument, made by many an Italian wine importer, that chianti classico is one of the best-value “fine” red wine regions in the world, certainly when set against its Tuscan rival, Brunello di ...
What do Chianti taste like? ›Chianti is high in tannins and is usually oaked for several months, 7-24 months in the case of Chianti Classico. This results in a medium-bodied wine with notable earthy and rustic aromas. Common flavor notes include cherry, strawberry, dried herbs, balsamic vinegar, and smoke.
How can you tell a real Chianti? ›Look for “Gallo Nero”: the black rooster.
The logo distinguishing this wine must be on the neck band or back label. It's easy to find, so if you don't see it, just put the bottle back. The Consortium also works to monitor possible counterfeiting of the label.
Why do Chianti bottles have straw? ›
Blanched straw wrapped around these iconic bottles served two purposes: easy-to-blow–over round bottles could now stand up straight, and the baskets added protection during shipping. In short, fiaschi were cheap and easy–like most elements of early Chianti.
Should you let Chianti breathe? ›I'll start out by saying, it's always a good idea to allow Chianti to breathe. If you don't have a decanter, I suggest a good eight hours in an opened bottle at room temperature. If you do have a decanter, I strongly recommend about an hour. It can and does make a difference!
Which animal is on the official seal for the Chianti Classico Consortium? ›The rooster was adopted as an official emblem by the League of Chianti in 1384, and officially adopted by the Chianti Classic Wine Consortium in 2005.
What does Classico mean in Italian wine? ›Classico. A classic zone within a particular region. This doesn't mean the wine is better, just that it's from a 'classic' wine growing area. Riserva. A wine that's been aged for longer than the normal version of the same denomination.
What makes a wine a Chianti? ›To be labeled Chianti, the wine must be produced in the Chianti region and made from mostly Sangiovese grapes. In most instances, winemakers choose to use Sangiovese entirely, but in vintages where balance is needed, native grapes such as Canaiolo and Colorino are included in the blend.
Why is Chianti so good? ›Its scent and taste will remind you of forest fruits, cherries and strawberries, and you might even notice smoke, balsam, or woodsy aromas. It's also high in acidity, which makes Chianti perfect with pretty much anything you're craving.
Is Chianti considered a cheap wine? ›During the 1960s and 70s, Chianti had a reputation for being cheap wine, served in the laid-back cafes and pizzerias of Italy. Over time, Chianti wines have climbed the ranks of the wine world and there are now some really amazing and expensive bottles of Italian Chianti on the market.
Should Chianti wine be chilled? ›Serve Chianti too cold and the tannin is the only thing you'll remember. We can say the same thing about most young red wines. As the wines age, the tannin starts to fade and becomes less of an issue. So serve your Chianti at 60 degrees and it will reach 65 degrees in the glass as you enjoy it.
Is Chianti a healthy red wine? ›Is Chianti a healthy red wine? It shares the health benefits of red wine, if drunk in moderation. Its polyphenol strengthens gums and teeth, while initial research is showing that its resveratrol may reduce the rate of cancer growth and stimulate the release of insulin.
How is Chianti different from wine? ›Chianti is a medium-bodied, highly acidic, tartly-juicy ruby red wine with flavors of cherry and earth, produced primarily with Sangiovese grapes in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. Chianti features a high level of tannin, which contributes to its dry flavor. It has a floral scent and is deeply savory.
How long can you keep a bottle of Chianti? ›
Whilst a Chianti Classico is a high quality wine, it doesn't have that extensive oak ageing that allows to develop great maturity. In general should really be drunk before the 10 year mark, whereas a great Riserva can last 10-15 years.
Should you shake red wine? ›To vary degrees, the flavor of a wine can be adversely affected by traumatizing it before opening. Avoid repeatedly tilting the bottle, shaking it, or subjecting it to vibrations.
Where does the word Chianti come from? ›Etymology. Borrowed from Italian chianti, after Chianti, its area of production. Through Latin from the Etruscan 𐌂𐌋𐌀𐌍𐌕𐌄 (clante).
What is the aftertaste of wine called? ›LINGERING: Used to describe the flavor and persistence of flavor in a wine after tasting. When the aftertaste remains on the palate for several seconds, it is said to be lingering.
What DOCG means? ›DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
This is the highest classification Italian wines can be awarded. DOCG are the best of Italian wines. The classification means that there are controlled production methods (controllata) and guaranteed wine quality (garantita) with each bottle.