Chianti Classico
Tuscany is known the world over for its wines, the most famous probably being Chianti. Chianti comes from within a strictly delimited zone within the region, with bottles of Chianti Classico being instantly recognisable as they bear the black rooster logo.
It is not sufficient simply for Chianti Classico wines to be produced within the Chianti region, they must satisfy a whole series of regulations decreed by the regulatory body the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico. These include:
· sangiovese must be at least 80% of the blend
· the other grapes can be be the local canaiolo or colorino or international varieties including cabernet sauvignon or merlot
· the yield must not be greater than 52.5 hectolitres of wine per hectare
· the minimum alcohol level must be 12% or 12.5% for the riserva
· wine cannot be released for consumption until after October 1st of the year following the harvest
Only if these criteria, plus a number of others, are met can the wine be labelled with the Classico designation which is then awarded Italy’s highest classification of DOCG.
There are two versions, normal and Riserva. Normal is a relatively young and fruity wine put on the market after October 1st of the year following harvest. These are pleasant and easy drinking wines to have with a range of foods. Riservas on the other hand have been made from grapes especially selected for their ageing potential, ample bouquet and a balance of elegance and power. They are matured for a minimum of 24 months including at least 3 months in bottle. As I write this the youngest riserva you would be drinking now in 2008 would be a 2005. These wines are an ideal accompaniment to substantial meat dishes.
Next time you have a bottle of Chianti Classico note the label carefully. You will see a unique number on the foil capsule. if you go to the Chianti Consorzio’s web site you will be able to track down the wine and learn all about its production. The Consorzio desribes traceability like this:
When it comes to safeguarding products, the key word has always been “traceability. Chianti Classico wine is monitored throughout all production stages, from the vineyard up to its bottling. Through Internet, the “traceability” system allows all consumers to trace every single wine bottle bearing the denomination of origin certificate. It is therefore possible to track down the bottler, the bottling date, the chemical-physical composition of the wine, the product’s certification, and in some cases, it is also possible to locate the exact vineyard that produced the grapes. All of the above is implemented to provide the consumer with appropriate product guarantee. “Traceability” also protects the consumer: the foil wrapper (the identification mark) enables the consumer to follow the course of a bottle in real time during its entire transformation process, from the grape harvest to the shelves of wine bars and stores.
The Langhe and Roero region of Piedmont also offer wine and gastronomic excellence. The most famous wine made from the Nebbiolo grape is Barolo, a full rich bodied wine which goes well with most of the local cheeses found in the area.
Other wines include Barbaresco, Dolcetto and Barbera all of which can be sampled at many of the Regional Enotecas.
In order to get the best price on wine in this area, you need to direct to the producers where you will be supplied with high quality wine from about 3 Euros a bottle. If you fancy more local table wine you can take your own container to be filled, prices vary between 1.5 and 2.5 Euros per litre. Just talk to the locals, they will tell you the best placers to go.