A Taste of Tuscany: Black Rooster at its Best
I first heard about Chianti Classico Gran Selezione when I traveled to Tuscany in 2013 (video above highlights part of that trip). So naturally I was thrilled to be able to learn more about the high-end wine at the West Coast debut on May 11, 2015 at the Fairmont in San Franicsco.
Gran Selezione, a new type of Chianti Classico was first presented to the world a little over a year ago. Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a high quality wine from the producers of Chianti Classico (aka the Black Rooster wine).
Gran Selezione is produced throughout its territory in Tuscany and in all of its communes. There are currently 78 labels of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione available to the wine loving public. What makes Chianti Classico Gran Selezione so special? Stricter requirements, amazing terroir, fantastic producers, and Sangiovese of course!
Wine drinkers in the United States drink more Italian wine than any other country in the world. Wine drinkers are particularly impressed with Black Rooster wines. In 2014, the overall sales rose 5% thanks to further growth in exports, which in 2014 reached 82%, the highest ever; the USA being once again the number one market.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Requirements
- Wine produced from a single vineyard or from a selection of the estate’s best grapes
- Minimum aging requirements: 30 months, including 3 months of bottle aging
- Stricter chemical parameters and outstanding organoleptic characteristics
- Gran Selezione also has the merit of enhancing the different characters of a broad and multi-faceted territory, covering nine communes with different climates and soils but united by the unmistakable Sangiovese “signature”.
“Chianti Classico is the Camelot of wine.” Shelley Lindgren, A16 & SPQR Owner/Wine Director
“Sangiovese is the baseball of red grapes. You can’t change it. It’s one of the great grapes of the world.” Tim Gaiser, Master Sommelier
“When people ask me, what wine do I take home to drink? I tell them, I take home Chianti Classico because it’s the wine I like to drink.” Darrell Corti, Corti Brothers Fine Wine and Food Market Owner
“Gran Selezione is a type of wine that we very much longed for and that has further qualified our offer. A great wine, which has already been highly acclaimed by the international wine press and public and just in a short time joined the ranks of the world’s finest wines.” Giuseppe Liberatore, General Director of the Consortium
8 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Wines to Try
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Casa Emma 2010 $50: pairs well with grilled meats and spicy cheese
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Molino di Grace 2010 $45: pairs well with lamb, stews and boar
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello d’Albola 2010 $70: pairs well with a variety of dishes from salmon to duck confit
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Casa Sola 2010 $45: pairs well with pasta, wild game, barbeque and well seasoned cheeses
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ormanni 2010 $40: pairs well with most meats and aged cheeses
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello di Volpaia 2010 $150 pairs well with game, deer and heavy sauces
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colle Bereto 2010 $50 pairs well with game, meat and cheeses
- Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Barone Ricasoli 2010 $70 pairs well with local favorites like tripe, cold cuts, Pecorino Toscano cheese
Wineries showcased at the Gran Selezione tasting: Barone Ricasoli, Bibbiano, Carobbio, Casa Emma, Casa Sola, Castello d’Albola, Castello di Ama, Castello di Cacchiano, Castello di Fonterutoli, Castello di Gabbiano, Castello di Volpaia, Castello La Leccia, Cennatoio, Colle Bereto, Felsina, Fontodi, Il Molino di Grace, Isole e Olena, Lanciola, Lornano, Luiano, Marchesi Antinori, Ormanni, Poggio al Sole, Poggio Torselli, Rocca delle Macie, Ruffino, Tolaini, Vignamaggio and Vignavecchia.
