Kicking it Old World: Chianti Classico and the Legend of The Black Rooster

This week has been one of the busiest in recent memory for trade wine tastings.

If you follow us on Facebook, we promised frequent blogs about our vinous adventures, but there has been absolutely no time.  So if you’ve been checking this blog and coming up empty, we are sorry, but hopefully the oncoming onslaught documenting our Adventures in Wineland, will appease.

The week started with a fabulous tasting of Chianti Classico, followed the next day with Greece.  Both exciting and rewarding tastings in our estimation, and even slightly interesting timing, as both countries are oft considered the birthplace of wine. That’s not totally true, but as they said in Erin’s journalism days, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.

(Wine Trivia: Technically speaking most historians seem to agree that wine was first produced by accident in ancient Mesopotamia, somewhere around 5,000 BC.  It then made its way to Greece and Italy some 6,000 yeas ago.)

Anyway, we digress. In the interest of length, space and visual aesthetics, we will stick to Chianti Classico in this entry, but click here if you would like to jump to Greece.

Chianti

So, as mentioned, first on the docket was Chianti Classico.

Before we get into the details, know that Chianti Classico is the premier region within the larger borders of Chianti. Picture a dart board: first there is Chianti, an area that spans 160 kilometers in the heart of Tuscany.  Within Chianti, there’s Chianti Classico, another very large area of nearly 175,000 acres between Florence to the North and Sienna to the South.  And within Chianti Classico is nine communities, including the Greve, Radda, Gaiole & Castellina.

So what is Chianti Classico? Well, first, the wine must come from the Chianti region (Chianti wine refers to the place — not the grape).  Next, it must contain a minimum of 80% Sangiovese grapes and maximum of 20% legally authorized grapes (native varieties like Canaiolo & Colorino, or international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot etc.).  White grapes are not permitted in the Classico wines.

For standard Classico, the wine must be aged for a year following the harvest.  Classico Riserva, must be aged for at least 24 months, three of which must be in bottle.

Chianti Classico was granted its own DOCG status in 1996 — the highest ranking for Italian wines.  For wines to be labelled Chianti Classico, and therefore earn the DOCG designation, they must meet strict rules, like those noted above.

So how do you know the Chianti you’re buying is Classico, without having to memorize all the facts and data? Well, The Black Rooster, of course.  This emblem is the trademark of Chianti Classico, and if you see it on the bottle, you will know that what you’re buying is the real thing.

The Black Rooster became the symbol for Chianti, because, as the story goes, in the Middle Ages the republics of Sienna and Florence were fighting for supremacy, and Chianti, being the large area separating the two cities was a constant battleground.

To finally establish a border, it was decided a horse man from each town would ride towards each other and wherever they met, that would be the border between the two areas.

Both were to start riding at dawn, when the rooster crowed.  The Sienese man chose a fat, white rooster; the Florentine chose a skinny, hungry, black rooster, that had been pent up in a cage.  As soon as the black rooster was released (far from dawn, notably), the rooster started crowing, signaling the Florentine rider to get started.

Needless to say, the Sienese woke later, covering only 12 kilometers before meeting the Florentine, and Chianti fell under Florence’s control.

And thus the symbol of the Black Rooster is now that of Chianti Classico.

Our Recommendations:

Fontodi Chianti Classico 2009 $29.95
Vintages 9333317
Made of 100% Sangiovese, this bright red wine has aromas of red cherry, licorice  and earthiness.  On the palate, flavours of ripe red cherry, tart cranberry spice and black licorice notes, make this an elegant sipper to enjoy alongside chicken cacciatore with black olives.

Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2006 $43.95
Vintages 353201
80% Sangiovese with the rest made up of Cab Sauv & Merlot, this is a deep red wine bordering on garnet, with savoury/funky aromas of meat and horse with fennel and herb.  Voluptuous and giving on the palate, this is has lots of interest with red cherry, bay/rosemary herbs, and meaty flavours. Elegant, but grippy, try this with roast meat like osso bucco or beef ragu.

Le Fonti Chianti Classico Riserva 2007 $35
The Vine/Rob Groh Agency
92% Sangiovese 8% Merlot make up this blend – a delicious, bright brick-red wine with aromas of ripe black and red berry fruit, a hint of dark earth and olive notes.  Flavours of cherry, coffee, and uplifting rosemary.  A sophisticated and elegant wine, for sure.