Thursday, Sept. 11 – Sunday, Sept. 14: EXPO DEL CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE FAIR. Piazza Matteotti, Greve in Chianti. Open on Thursday 5 to 10 pm, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm. Admission: € 20. The entry fee gives the visitor a souvenir wine glass and seven tastings — the riserva wines count for two.
Head to the world-renowned territory of Greve in Chianti to immerse yourself in a delicious range of classic Chianti wines in the heart of its Origine Controllata. The Expo del Chianti Classico Wine Fair welcomes wine makers from every corner of the Chianti region to the near 800-year-old Piazza Matteotti. They will be presenting wines created and aged on their estates.
Tastings will be carried out either at the stands of the 64 individual wineries present in the piazza, or at the Consortium Pavilion, where over 80 Chianti Classico wines will stand ready to be uncorked and sampled.
Despite having had a variety of former names, from ‘Mostra Mercato’ to ‘Rassegna’, this is the 53rd ‘Expo del Chianti Classico’ to take place—and it will bring together no less than 64 different Chianti wineries to the Piazza.
When we refer to ‘Chianti’ more generally, we refer to wine produced in the general geographic region of Chianti, including a variety of sub-zones. These include: Chianti Rufina, Chianti Montespertoli, Chianti Montalbano, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini and Colli Pisane.
Chianti Classico, however, strictly refers to Chianti produced within the historic heart of the region, located between Florence and Siena—a relatively small area of only 14 municipalities.
Again generally, Chiantis usually fall on the lighter side of the red wine spectrum. Standard characteristics in better quality Chiantis include a certain violet aroma and a crisp, tannic dryness – precisely the qualities for which Chianti has become famous. The wine cleanses the palate and allows for a progression of flavors throughout a meal, making it a wonderful companion to lighter Tuscan fare.
Chianti Classico, however, must abide by stricter rules: it must be made with at least 80% Sangiovese grape, rather than the unusual 70% for other Chiantis. It also tends to have a more complex character and structure and be even more acidic and tannin-heavy. Further, Chianti Classico has been made without white grapes since the 1990s, which makes it more full bodied, and, as a consequence, age better. (Will Fitzgerald)
