The Quality Levels of Chianti Classico
The Quality Pyramid
Basically, Chianti Classico comes in three quality levels: Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. But what do these three quality levels mean? How do the wines differ from each other? How long have these three classifications for Chianti Classico existed, and what's their significance? The year 2013 was the year of the Chianti Classico "wine revolution."
In January of that year, the members of the "Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico" made a historic decision: A third, new classification was added to the two existing ones – Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva: the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. These three quality levels differ in several ways – but especially in alcohol content, aging period, and the resulting flavor nuances:
Chianti Classico DOCG – The Classic One
Grape varieties: 80 – 100% Sangiovese
The Harvest: The grapes must come from the Chianti Classico wine region, from classified vineyards.
Certification: Samples of these wines get checked by an outside group, both for their chemical makeup and how they taste and smell.
Alcohol: at least 12.0% alcohol
Aging: at least 12 months of aging
Flavors you'll often find in Chianti Classico:
fruity: cherries, tart cherries, currants
floral: violets
spicy: pepper, juniper, vanilla
Here's what Nina in Chianti says: Classic, fresh, and lively. It's got inviting fruit, goes down easily, and is super fun to drink. A zippy food companion with refreshing acidity and hearty tannins.
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG – The Bold One
Grape varieties: 80 – 100% Sangiovese
The Harvest: The grapes have to come from the Chianti Classico wine region, from specific, classified areas.
Certification: Samples of these wines get checked by an outside group, both for their chemical makeup and how they taste and smell.
Alcohol: at least 12.5% alcohol
Aging: at least 24 months of aging, with at least three months spent in the bottle.
Flavors you'll often find in Chianti Classico Riserva:
fruity: blackberries, blackcurrants, fig
spicy: caramel, chocolate, coffee, smoke, wood
Here's what Nina says: Bold, well-structured, and full-bodied. It has deep flavors, a firm tannin structure, and is elegant, round, and long-lasting. It's also great for cellaring for a few years.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG – The Elegant One
Grape varieties: 80 – 100% Sangiovese
The Harvest: The grapes must come from the Chianti Classico wine region and exclusively from vineyards owned by the estate.
Certification: Samples of these wines get checked by an outside group, both for their chemical makeup and how they taste and smell.
Alcohol: at least 13.0% alcohol
Aging: at least 30 months of aging, with at least three months spent in the bottle.
Flavors you'll often find in Chianti Classico Gran Selezione:
fruity: blackberries, blackcurrants
spicy: caramel, tobacco, cinnamon, wood
Here's what Nina says: Elegant, expressive, and powerful. It has a great structure, is complex and rich in flavors, with outstanding balance and harmony. It's also perfect for long-term cellaring. Graphic provided by the "Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico"