A Taste of the ‘Chianti Lovers’ 2018 Preview

Much in the spirit of viewing a trailer for an upcoming movie, this month brings the chance for trade professionals and the public alike to sample and judge Tuscan wines just before they are placed on the market. Previewing wines before they are released to retail is guaranteed makes everyone feel special.  Chianti Lovers Anteprima 2018 in Florence provides just this opportunity.

The Fortezza da Basso’s Cavaniglia Pavilion will once again host Chianti Lovers, which will take place this year on Sunday, February 11.  Journalists, trade professionals and sommeliers will be welcome starting at 9:30 am, while doors will open for the general public from 4 to 9 pm.  For €15, all wine lovers can be among the first to sip the 2017 Chianti and 2015 Chianti Riserva.  The entrance fee includes the #ChiantiLovers wine glass that may be taken home.

In order to blend in with the pros at the fair, a quick crash course in Chianti is helpful.  For beginners, Chianti is one of the largest wine regions in the world. Divided into eight sub-regions and extending approximately 60 thousand acres, Chianti found entirely within Tuscany.

For intermediates, DOCG is one of several wine classification labels in Italy and stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, Denomination of Origin Controlled and Guaranteed, which means the producers have to adhere to stringent regulations.  In order to qualify for the Chianti DOCG label, the wine must comprise at least 80% Sangiovese grown within the outline of the Chianti territory.

For advanced wine enthusiasts, Sangiovese is a lighter Italian red grape varietal present in the modern Tuscan region since the Etruscan period.  Because of this, terroir changes and production differences, Chianti DOCG, although with many strict guidelines, can differ quite a bit one from another.

Those arrive at the Chianti Lovers Anteprima (Chianti Lovers Preview) will welcomed by representatives from over 100 estates, who will pour over 500 types of wine from seven Chianti DOCG subzones: Colli Aretini (hills around Arezzo), Colli Fiorentini (Florentine hills), Colline Pisane (Pisa), Colli Senesi (Siena), Montalbano, Montespertoli and Rufina, will be joined by the Morellino di Scansano DOCG consortium this year as a special guest.  Morellino is one of the 10 other DOCGs in Tuscany.  (david shackelford)

For more information, see

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/517317321967625/

Instagram hashtag #chiantilovers

Presale tickets: www.boxofficetoscana.it

Web site: www.consorziovinochianti.it