The 29th Edition of the Chianti Classico Collection just closed its doors the other week. The Chianti Classico Collection (#CCC22) is the yearly trade event that is organized to taste a preview of the wine vintages that have or will be released for the current year. It is two days of tastings and masterclasses to better get to know the area, the wines, and the producers of Chianti Classico. What was so special about Chianti Classico Collection 2022? Let’s find out more.
Chianti Classico Collection 2022 – A Reset After the Pandemic
The Chianti Classico Collection 2022 was a breath of fresh air in many senses after two years of the pandemic wreaking havoc all over the world. This year, the event could finally return to Stazione Leopolda in Florence, its usual venue, after a temporary solution last year at the Museum of Santa Maria Novella due to the covid restrictions. It gave an infusion of energy to see that it was possible again to organize a larger event where people could taste and meet in person, still following the current covid restrictions.
More than 2000 wine professionals had signed up for the event to get a taste of the new vintages of 180 Chianti Classico producers. Ilaria Anichini, our estate manager, says that you could feel that “people had a great desire for everything to start up again”. There seemed to be more restaurant and wine trade professionals, she says, compared to other years. In general, more journalists and bloggers pass by the stand.
2021 was a successful year for the Chianti Classico brand despite the pandemic or perhaps as a result of the pandemic. The financial year ended with an increased balance of +21% compared to 2020 and +11% in relation to 2019. The consortium further reports that the overall brand value has increased over the past year, including areas such as the value of the grapes, bottled products, and the international markets. The top market is still the US, followed by Italy, Canada, the UK, and Germany.
Additional Geographical Units in Chianti Classico
The Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive (Additional Geographical Units, UGA), consisting of 11 villages or townships, was instituted in June 2021 with the aim of “reinforcing communication of the wine-territory combination, increasing quality in terms of identity and territoriality, allowing consumers to know where the grapes come from and, last but not least, stimulating demand by differentiating the offer.” (See the Chianti Classico website.)
At Chianti Classico Collection 2022, it was the first large occasion where it was possible to taste the Chianti Classico wines according to the UGA system, that is village by village. It facilitated the understanding of the Chianti Classico and made it so much easier to navigate through the Chianti Classico producers.
Photo a courtesy of Riccardo Chiarini
Fattoria di Montemaggio at Chianti Classico Collection 2022
Ilaria states that at “Fattoria di Montemaggio we believe in aging all our Chianti Classic wines a bit longer before we release them.” She continues to say that, in her experience, Sangiovese needs a bit more time to smoothen out. As they want the wines to be ready to enjoy when they are released to the consumers, they prefer to keep them a bit longer in the cellar.
The wines presented this year are all very fresh wines with balanced tannins that are ready to drink.
The following vintages were presented at the Chianti Classico Collection:
Chianti Classico Annata (Entry Level) 2015
2015 was a great year even though with very warm temperatures. Ilaria mentions that the grapes “had the right maturation and balance, furthermore, the rain came in the right moments of the year. The only factor to comment upon was the lower quantity.” It is a fruit-forward, smooth, and versatile wine with delicate tannins.
Chianti Classico Riserva 2014
Ilaria explains how they in 2014 did an early selection and thinning of the shoots on the vines, to be able to produce fewer grapes but of high quality. 2014 was a difficult year with lots of rain, therefore, this pre-selection contributed to producing an elegant Chianti Classico Riserva with noteworthy red fruit and concentration.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2013
The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is made with Sangiovese grapes from a vineyard plot with bush-trained vines (Alberello). Even though it has a northern exposition it gets a lot of sunshine. The Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a wine with a different style than the Riserva, it has lots of herby notes, freshness, and finesse.
Photo a courtesy of Riccardo Chiarini
Overall, it was an extraordinary Chianti Classico Collection 2022, considering the hardship and difficulties during the past two years. It also gave a sign to the wine world that we slowly are getting back on track with trade and general wine events.
Written by Katarina Andersson.
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