written by Erika Mantovan
The 32nd edition of the Chianti Classico Collection has come to a close, once again hosted at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence. This year’s event saw a record participation of 218 Gallo Nero wineries, presenting their latest productions, including 54 Chianti Classico 2023 labels. On February 17 and 18, wine industry professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts had the opportunity to discover and taste the new vintages.
At the entrance of the event, visitors were welcomed by an imposing Gallo Nero, but this time in an unusual appearance: green, like a tree, symbolizing the Consortium’s and producers’ commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This theme was further highlighted through installations featuring spontaneous plants and words of various sizes emphasizing the key values of this edition: Water, Flora, Identity, Work, Respect. The focus on sustainability was also reflected in the event’s setup, which used recycled materials, and in efforts to minimize food waste, with unconsumed meals donated to the Villa Lorenzi solidarity project (https://villalorenzi.it).
Harvest 2023: A Year of Challenges and Agronomic Choices
The 2023 vintage was significantly influenced by heterogeneous weather conditions that put producers to the test. A rainier spring compared to recent years required continuous work in the vineyard, especially in canopy management, to prevent fungal diseases. Peronospora attacks, caused by heavy rainfall in May and early June, resulted in an uneven harvest, reflecting climatic variability and the different agronomic strategies adopted by wineries.
Tastings at the Leopolda revealed wines often characterized by firm tannins, moderate flavor progression, and restrained fruit expression. However, there were remarkable exceptions, such as wines from Cigliano di Sopra, Castello di Querceto, Calcamura, Carpineto, and Luiano.
In the article featured in our next print issue, we will reveal our top tastings from the entire event, including Riserva and Gran Selezione wines.