A few weeks ago, the members of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, which comprises around 500 wineries from the appellation, set a new milestone for Chianti Classico.

Giovanni Manetti is the owner of the famous Fontodi winery in Panzano in Chianti and is also the current president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico. In this episode, I talk to him about what these new regulations are, why they were introduced, what advantages they will have for Chianti Classico connoisseurs and why they may also be important for Chianti Classico wine in the fight against climate change.

Welcome back! I'm delighted to take you back to the fascinating world of Chianti Classico today. In this episode of my podcast "For a glass of wine with Nina and Chianti", I have a very special guest: Giovanni Manetti from the renowned Fontodi winery and current president of the Consorzio Chianti Classico. Giovanni and I have known each other for almost 20 years and it's always exciting to hear his views.

The golden valley and its treasures

Our conversation took place at the Fontodi winery, in the middle of the famous Conca d'Oro, the golden valley, of Panzano. Giovanni explained that "Conca d'Oro" is so named not only because of its sunny location, but also because of its precious soils, which have been known for centuries for excellent wines. The grapes from which some of the best Chianti Classico wines are made grow here.

Of course, a glass of wine was a must. Giovanni presented his Fontodi Chianti Classico, a powerful wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes. With its deep color, invigorating acidity and excellent structure, it embodies the essence of Chianti Classico. Giovanni describes this wine as strong and harmonious at the same time, a true reflection of the region and its culture. He also affectionately refers to this wine as his "business card".

UGA: A step into the future

Giovanni introduces us to the work of the Consorzio Chianti Classico, which brings together over 500 producers. This association takes care of marketing, production standards and their control. A recent important decision by the members concerns the Chianti Classico appellation and how it responds to the challenges of climate change. In recent weeks, the letters UGA have caused a stir in the wine world. They stand for "Unità Geografica Aggiuntiva" and mark an important innovation in Chianti Classico: the subdivision of the region into smaller, more homogeneous areas. This measure is intended to make the character and diversity of the wines even clearer. Giovanni emphasizes that this helps wine consumers to better understand the origin and unique style of each wine.

Sustainability and organic cultivation

Another focus of the Consorzio is sustainability. Chianti Classico is a pioneer in organic viticulture. More than half of the vineyards are now certified organic. Giovanni emphasizes that this trend not only benefits the environment, but also enhances the quality and authenticity of the wines.

Giovanni and I also discussed the future of Chianti Classico, in particular the new regulation for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. In the near future, these wines must contain at least 90% Sangiovese and may no longer contain any international varieties. Instead, only traditional local grape varieties such as Colorino and Canaiolo will be considered to complement Sangiovese. These changes underline the unique character of Chianti Classico and its deep roots in the region.

To conclude our conversation, Giovanni gives us an outlook on the exciting future of Chianti Classico. Giovanni sees great potential in the region and emphasizes the importance of quality and sustainability. He encourages all wine lovers to discover and enjoy the diversity of Chianti Classico.

Wine for the episode

Fontodi Chianti Classico DOCG

Further links

Chianti Classico Consortium: https://www.chianticlassico.com

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