The Chianti Classico Collection 2021 event turned into a Chianti Classico Connection just as the consortium underlined. In line with the Covid-19 restrictions, the consortium had this year modified the yearly preview event to be able to organize it despite the restrictions still in vigor. This gave rise to some interesting new initiatives that surely could be an idea to integrate also when the pandemic will blow away.
Fattoria di Montemaggio was present with their newly released Chianti Classico vintages, of course.
- Chianti Classico Annata 2015
- Chianti Classico Riserva 2014
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2013
Chianti Classico Connection – A Temporary or a New Face of the Event?
The Chianti Classico Collection had this year become more of a connection in the sense that tastings were organized at the same time also in London, New York, Chicago, Munich, and Tokyo. As people could not yet travel freely and it would not have been possible to unite a large group of journalists and buyers in Florence, simultaneous tastings internationally were an optimal solution. Furthermore, the use of an app to send your “wine orders” to the sommeliers without needing to call for them and wait your turn was a very comfortable way to taste the wines. It was also very time-saving!
The Chianti Classico Collection this year took place in the museum of the Santa Maria Novella church in the center of Florence. History and wine tasting turned into a lovely mix where you had a view of the extraordinarily beautiful inner cloister of the Santa Maria Novella Museum while tasting and contemplating the wines. All in peace and quiet without having to wait in line or navigate a crowd to get to taste the wines of the different Chianti Classico producers. Of course, we all missed the interaction with the producers and fellow wine professionals at Stazione Leopolda where the Chianti Classico Collection usually is held. A combination of the two might be a solution for the future?
Chianti Classico on the Rise Despite the Pandemic
This summer calls for Chianti Classico wines according to Erik Asimov. He continues writing that “Even in the summer, certain dishes call out for reds, and the one I often want now is Chianti Classico.” in his article This Summer, Make It Chianti Classico in New York Times.
Chianti Classico is certainly having a good period despite the pandemic and declares an increase in sales with 31% during the first four months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 as well as in 2019. The consortium says that the international market has appreciated the vintages 2019 and 2018 currently on the market. Chianti Classico wines are now sold in over 150 countries worldwide and, in fact, 80% of the total production is sold abroad. The US is still the main country for the export of Chianti Classico wines even if Canada, Europe, and Asia are also important markets. Sales via e-commerce have certainly contributed to the success of Chianti Classico wines during the pandemic.
Photo Credit: Irina Mihailenko
What Irina Romanoff Mihailenko says about Chianti Classico Collection 2021
We asked Irina Romanoff Mihailenko of Sparkling Life about her impressions regarding this year’s Chianti Classico event. Irina is always very appreciative and supportive of Fattoria di Montemaggio and just recently mentioned the Montemaggio wines in her article Chianti Classico Collection 2021.
1) What is your impression of the organization and venue of the Chianti Classico Collection this year?
Irina: I have already several times given my compliments to the Chianti Classico consortium for the organization. They had thought about everything in every tiny detail and offered truly fantastic service, including the sommelier service by AIS Toscana. Professionalism, readiness, and efficiency. The venue turned out to be very suitable.
2) Do you think there are positive sides to the #CCC21 that should remain in place also after the pandemic?
Irina: Well, a basic ingredient was missing: to interact with the wine producer. Such an efficient approach can be very positive for a journalist or blogger as this format optimizes the time frames of the wine tasting. Also, the app speeds up the tasting considerably. I would keep the location: a venue that was a magnificent setting for this very important event and, furthermore, we had the possibility to taste both indoors in the building and outdoors.
3) You visit Fattoria di Montemaggio often and taste the wines. How would you define the wines of Fattoria di Montemaggio for someone who still does not know them very well?
Irina: If I am talking to a wine professional I would describe them as very territorial.
Montemaggio is located on an altitude that is almost unusual for Chianti Classico and they are wines that give a good expression of the terroir but they also highlight Sangiovese and its potential to give a different result. A location where the wines need longer maturation times, are less immediate and express the complexity of the Sangiovese grape that is often underestimated within the Chianti Classico appellation.
If I were to talk to a person who is not a part of the wine world, I would say: very well done and reliable. Reliable due to two reasons. Firstly, because the consumer will always find consistency in the Montemaggio wines despite the differences between each harvest. It is the attention to detail in the vineyard and in the wine cellar, and the careful selection of grapes that lead to this result. Secondly, because of the healthy aspect and the obsessive attitude to organic farming that is one of the most thorough approaches I have ever seen.
Chianti Classico is surely on a roll…
recently, the consortium has also confirmed 11 MGA’s, that is the Added Geographical References to be applied only to Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines for now. This introduces a cru mentality where the typical local territories within the Chianti Classico area matter. More about this topic soon…
Written by Katarina Andersson.
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