National Chianti Day: Tuscany’s Iconic Wine

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Every year on the 1st Friday of September, wine lovers around the world, get together to celebrate National Chianti Day. This day is all about Chianti, one of Italy’s most famous wines, born from the soil and history of Tuscany. As Australians love good wine and Italian heritage, National Chianti Day is the perfect excuse to tell the story of Chianti from its beginning to its global impact.

What is Chianti?

Chianti is a red wine from the Tuscany region of central Italy, a land of beauty and centuries of winemaking heritage. The wine is mostly made from Sangiovese grapes, the heart of Chianti’s soul. Sangiovese, named after the Latin “sanguis Jovis” (the blood of Jupiter), has high acidity, firm tannins and flavours of red cherries, dried herbs and violets.

The Grapes and Chianti

Chianti has its origins in the 13th century when winemakers in the Chianti region (Castellina, Gaiole and Radda) started to produce wine from a blend of grapes. Originally Chianti was a white wine but over time red grapes, especially Sangiovese, became the main component.

In the 19th century Baron Bettino Ricasoli, a Tuscan statesman and winemaker, created the “Chianti formula”. This blend was 70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo (a red grape) and 15% Malvasia (a white grape). This formula defined the Chianti style but the use of white grapes has been phased out and nowadays the blend is more Sangiovese focused.

Today Chianti wines must have at least 70-80% Sangiovese and the rest is often made up of other red grapes like Canaiolo, Colorino or even international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This blend gives Chianti its bright acidity, medium body and a flavour profile that goes from fruity and floral to earthy and spicy.

 

The Birth of Chianti Classico

In 1716 the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de’ Medici, officially defined the Chianti region and its boundaries making it one of the first wine regions in the world to be legally protected. This region, now known as Chianti Classico, is the birthplace of Chianti wine. Wines from this area are labelled “Chianti Classico” and must meet strict production rules including a minimum aging period and a high percentage of Sangiovese grapes.

The black rooster (Gallo Nero) on the neck of Chianti Classico bottles is the symbol of quality and authenticity, it represents the historical rivalry between Florence and Siena and the victory of Florence that defined the boundaries of the Chianti region.

  • Chianti’s Origins: The first use of the name “Chianti” to describe the wine was in 1398. But the region’s winemaking history goes back even further, to Etruscan and Roman times.
  • Chianti Classico Requirements: To be labelled as Chianti Classico the wine must be produced in the original Chianti region and must meet the rules, including a minimum aging period of 7 months and at least 80% Sangiovese.
  • The Black Rooster Legend: The Gallo Nero, or black rooster, symbol comes from a legend about the medieval rivalry between Florence and Siena. According to the story, a black rooster’s early crowing allowed Florence to claim more territory during a border dispute and thus defined the original boundaries of the Chianti region.

Conclusion

National Chianti Day is a celebration of a wine that has gone beyond its origins to become an Italian icon and a benchmark of winemaking. In Australia, this day is celebrated with a series of events that bring together the best of Italian culture, food and of course wine. Whether you’re attending a festival, a winemaker dinner or simply enjoying a glass of Chianti at home National Chianti Day is an opportunity to appreciate the history and the timelessness of this Tuscan icon.

Ningxia: A New World Class Wine Region in China’s Gobi Desert

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In the middle of North Central China where the Gobi Desert meets the wilds of Inner Mongolia a new wine region is emerging that will shake the world wine industry. Ningxia a province known for its dry climate and dramatic landscapes is now one of the fastest growing wine regions in China. This unlikely wine hot spot is getting attention for its terroir and the quality of wine being produced.

A Terroir Like No Other

Ningxia’s wine region is defined by its unique environmental conditions. It’s situated on the border of Inner Mongolia and the Gobi Desert where the climate is harsh and the soils are rocky granite. The dry arid climate with hot summers and cold winters means the vines are stress free which is essential for producing concentrated and flavoursome grapes.

One of the key factors that’s working in Ningxia’s favour is its proximity to the Yellow River. This mighty river not only provides irrigation for the vineyards but also plays a big role in shaping the micro climate. The Yellow River feeds the viniculture and agriculture in the area, forming a green belt between the wind driven sands of the Gobi Desert to the north and the big population centres to the south. This green belt acts as a natural barrier to the desert winds and also provides moisture and nutrients to the soil for the vines.

The rocky granite soils of Ningxia adds another layer of complexity to the wines. These soils rich in minerals allow for good drainage and forces the vines to dig deep into the earth to find water. This struggle results in grapes with concentrated flavours and a minerality that’s unique to Ningxia wines.

A New Wine Industry

Ningxia’s wine industry has grown fast in recent years and is getting attention from both domestic and international markets. The winemakers have adopted modern techniques but are still deeply connected to the land and its traditions. The combination of old wisdom and new technology has resulted in wines that are terroir expressive and market driven.

The government initiatives to promote Ningxia as a world class wine destination has also contributed to the region’s fast development. Investment in infrastructure, research and development has allowed the region to plant more vineyards and improve the quality of the wines. Today Ningxia has over 200 wineries many of which are producing award winning wines that are recognized internationally.

A New Chapter in China’s Wine History

Ningxia’s emergence as a wine region is a new chapter in China’s wine story. For years China was a big wine consumer but now it’s becoming a big wine producer as well. Ningxia’s wines are proving that world class wines can be made in the most unlikely places and challenging the traditional perception of what makes a great wine region.

As Ningxia grows and matures we will see more and more exciting things from this region. The combination of climate, soil and innovation in Ningxia is producing wines that are not only unique but can compete globally. In the next few years we will hear more about Ningxia wines as this unknown region in the Gobi Desert becomes one of the new wine capitals of the world.