Chianti Classico Collection 2015 (La Leopolda del Vino)

Florence – Presentation of the latest Chianti Classico vintages to the top wine experts marks a unique occasion for learning all about the Chianti Classico appellation, its labels and what’s new in one of the world’s most important wine regions.

This is the Chianti Classico Collection, one of the major events on the international wine world calendar, held on February 17 and 18 in the beautiful setting of the Stazione Leopolda in Florence, its customary venue.

Here are the figures for the Leopolda of Wine: 149 wineries participating, 517 labels tasted for a total of 6,200 bottles opened and served by a team of 50 sommeliers during the two days of the event, which was attended by more than 200 journalists from 30 different countries and more than 1,300 trade professionals. There were 39 barrel previews of the 2014 vintage and 56 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione wines tasted.

“This is the third time I participated in the Chianti Classico Collection, not only as a vintner but as president of the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico,” says Sergio Zingarelli. “With increasing awareness of its importance, this event grows every year, bringing to Florence the wine press and trade from all over the world. The wines that were tasted here come from a territory that next year will be celebrating the 300th anniversary of the 1716 edict with which Cosimo III de Medici established the borders of our production territory. Since then there has been a succession of Grand Dukes, vintners, production regulations, markets and merchants, consumers, harvests, historic events and normal moments of rural life – but our terroir, our grapes and our passion have remained the same.”

As usual, the first day of the event, February 17, was reserved exclusively for journalists of the Italian and international press, who in the afternoon tasted the wines in the presence of the vintners, while on February 18, from 10 am on, the event was also open to trade and professionals, who were able to meet with producers and sample their wines.

In a talk show replacing the customary press conference, The Collection was also an occasion for discussing the importance of cooperation and interaction among wineries, and in particular those of Chianti Classico, which are different in size and origin but all united for the past 90 years by membership in Italy’s oldest wine consortium.

3386504801Also not to be missed was the party in honor of Chianti Classico and its symbol, the Black Rooster, held at the Stazione Leopolda: for the last day of Carnival guests sported a charming accessory provided by the evening’s organizers. The recommended dress code was red and black, not in reference to Stendhal or soccer teams but in tribute to the world’s most famous wine trademark, the Black Rooster encircled in red. The guest list was top secret and in addition to wine experts also included members of local institutions and VIPs.

This year, too, the partners in the event were top names in the wine & food industry, including some of the finest Italian DOP products, which, under the institutional umbrella of the AICIG (Italian Association of Geographical Indication Consortiums) gave presentations and offered tastings at the Collection. They included the Prosciutto di San Daniele Consortium, the Grana Padano Consortium, the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP Consortium, the Prosciutto Toscano Consortium, the Pecorino Toscano DOP Consortium, the Consortium for “Oliva da mensa” DOP – La Bella della Daunia – cultivar La Bella di Cerignola, the Aceto Balsamico di Modena IGP Consortium, the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese Consortium, the Gorgonzola cheese DOP Consortium, and the Mortadella Bologna Consortium.

Also among traditional sponsors of the Collection were RCR, Firenze Parcheggi, Aqua di Toscana®San Felice and Pulltex.