History

Question 1

What are possible roots of Chianti name?

Answer 1

Latin “Clangor” - meaning noise of hunting or wepaons;
Etruscan “ Clante/Clanis” - meaning water

Question 2

Who were first to cultivate the chiantivineyards?

Answer 2

Etruscans 8-10 BCE

Question 3

Who followed the Etruscans in Chianti?

Answer 3

Romans in 6-3 BCE - extended grape varieties and brought new viticultural techniques.

Question 4

What took place in the Middle Ages?

Answer 4

Age of the communes.Dispute on territory between Siena and Florence.

Question 5

What is the official trademark of Chianti wine?

Answer 5

The Black Rooster as per the myth of the settlement of the boundary.

Question 6

When did the name Chianti appear on official documents?

Answer 6

1398 marking the start of the modern phase of Chianti wine.

Question 7

Why did the reputation of Chianti grow between end of 14th century and middle of 18th century?

Answer 7

Connection between quality of wine and provenance became tighter.

Question 8

What was share cropping? Is it still practiced?

Answer 8

Landowner provided grower with land for 50%share of profits. The practice is now illegal.

Question 9

What did the Grand Duke of Tuscany decree in 1716?

Answer 9

The formal boundaries of Chianti were set out. They were to protect against fraud and ensure quality.

Question 10

What is important about the Edict of 1716 in Tuscany?

Answer 10

It was an example of one of the first PDO. It established clear geographical boundaries very similar to DOCG and DOC today. It also prevented name being used on wine from outside designated boundary.

Question 11

What body was established in 1716?

Answer 11

The Congregation of Chianti.

Question 12

What was the role of the Congregation of Chianti?

Answer 12

To oversee origin and shipment of the wine and generally supervising the wine trade.

Question 13

What was the “recipe” for Chianti set out in 1872 by the “Iron Baron”.

Answer 13

Sangioveses with a small amount of Canioldo. It was widely adapted.

Question 14

Why did demand for Chianti grow rapidly in the late 19th century?

Answer 14

The region was less affected by Phylloxera and continued production to meet growing demand.

Question 15

What effect did the growing demand for Chianti wines during the Phylloxera outbreak have on the Chianti region?

Answer 15

Wines that were not made from the original region were made and marketed as Chianti to meet the demand.

Question 16

What is the difference between Chianti territory and Chianti wines?

Answer 16

In the Chianti territory (DOCG) only Chianti Classico can be produced with the black rooster TM. Wines called Chianti can be made from grapes grown anywhere in Tuscany

Question 17

What was formed in 1924 in Chianti?

Answer 17

Consorzio for the defence of Chianti wine and it’s brand of origin. The black rooster became the official symbol. They sought to distinguih themselves from the wines produced outside the 1716 demarcated zone.

Question 18

What designation was introduced in Chianti in 1932?

Answer 18

Wines from the historical zone were designated “Chianti Classico” by a ministerial decree.

Question 19

How did the Italian vignerons overcome Phylloxera?

Answer 19

As in France they grafted local varieties onto american rootstock.

Question 20

When was Chianti Classico recognised as an independent denomination?

Answer 20

1996. It was no longer a sub-zone of Chianti region. It became a DOCG.

Question 21

What change to the blend rules came with the DOCG status?

Answer 21

The wine could be made from up to 100% Sangiovese. White was also no longer permitted.

Question 22

When was the Black Rooster adopted as the symbol of all of the wines of Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 22

2005 - until then it had only been used by 35 members of the original Consorzio.

Question 23

What ancient body had the black rooster on its coat of arms?

Answer 23

The Lega del Chianti, an army of Chianti.

Question 24

What is the hierarchy of Chianti Classico wines?

Answer 24

(Lowest to highest):
Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione.

Question 25

How many AGA in Chianti Classico?

Answer 25

11 since 2021 producing exceptional expressions of the wine.

Question 26

What happened the Chianti region in 1944?

Answer 26

It became a war zone.

Question 27

How was wine generally perceived in Italy in the mid-20th century?

Answer 27

As an accompaniment to food withhigh volume production. A form of nourishment. This contrasted with the areas wishing to produce high quality wines.

Question 28

What was the Chianti Classico 2000 Project?

Answer 28

It was research into the key varieties of the Classico region starting with Sangiovese, between wineries and academics. The objective was to find the clones best suited to the region from indigenous varieties.

Question 29

What was the outcome of the Classico 2000 Project?

Answer 29

The certification of :
7 Sangiovese clones;
1 Colorino clone.