Chianti Classico Experience

In the hills between Florence and Siena, Chianti Classico is one of Italy's best wine regions.

in recent years it has been in the middle of a quiet revolution. New rules have been developed with the ambition to honour the finest quality Chianti Classico. This evening takes you straight to the heart of what's new.

I've selected six wines spanning the quality pyramid — two Annata, two Riserva, and two Gran Selezione (a new top level introduced in 2014). Gran Selezione is the finest expression of what the Sangiovese grape can achieve in this landscape.

Some of the producers we'll sample are families that have worked their estates for hundreds of years. Take Sebastiano Capponi, who is 37th generation. Or a family that have worked their estate for nearly six hundred years and were signatories to the 1716 decree by Cosimo III de' Medici first defining Chianti Classico.

We'll taste a single vineyard wine, Racine, that has been Fèlsina's flagship since the 1980s. The 2021 is the first vintage released as a Gran Selezione designation — a milestone moment.

At the end of the evening you will know what to look for when you buy Chianti Classico, and the foods to pair it with.

Wines on tasting:

• Castello Di Meleto Chianti Classico 2023, £17.40
• Caparsa Chianti Classico 2022, £31
• Conti Capponi Villa Calcinaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2022, £40.50
• La Sala Del Torriano Chianti Classico Riserva 2020, £43.67
• Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2021, £51.50
• Felsina Rancia Chinati Classico Gran Selezione 2021, £50.35

(Restaurant value of those wines would be over £600)!

Cheeses will be available to try with the wines.