Chianti consorzi to merge

After 18 years of separation Chianti Classico’s two historic wine grower associations are reuniting to form one single consortium under the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico appellation.

Francesco Ricasoli, owner of the Castello di Brolio estate, one of the driving forces behind the merge, said, ‘Our aim is to use our joint forces to convey a clearer, more visible message.’

He added that Chianti’s black rooster symbol would be restyled to be used on all Chianti Classico bottlings.

According to Giuseppe Liberatore, MD of the Consorzi Vino Chianti Classico, quality control will continue to be enforced by the consortium.

Moreover all Chianti Classico wines will now be sealed by the pink appellation DOCG strip with the black rooster symbol. This was an option previously only available to the Marchio Storico Gallo Nero producers.

Not everyone is behind the move. Producers such as Marchesi di Antinori and Castello di Ama, who have generally opted out of the groupings, remain sceptical and have chosen not to join the new unified consortium.

‘We are waiting to see how the new merge evolves,’ said Antinori MD Renzo Cotarella.

Marco Pallanti, winemaker at Castello di Ama, said because the style of Chianti Classico’s Sangiovese changes from area to area depending on the exposure, vineyard techniques and zone, a more exact demarcation was needed.

‘What we need is a re-classification according to certain parameters which would clearly demark authentic quality,’ he said.

Written by Michele Shah