The 33rd Chianti Classico Collection concluded with results exceeding all expectations, reaffirming the denomination’s status as one of the most solid and renowned in Italian wine. Welcoming visitors to Stazione Leopolda was a three‑meter‑tall Bacchus, the visual manifesto of the 2026 edition’s central message: “wine is culture.” A concept that encapsulates not only the oenological value of the Black Rooster but also its historical, social, and identity‑defining significance.
There were 223 exhibitors, the highest number ever recorded, a sign of increasingly strong participation from producers across the territory. Nearly 400 accredited journalists from 23 countries, 1,500 Italian trade operators, and numerous buyers and professionals from North America and Northern Europe underscored the international dimension of the event. The second day’s opening to the public brought 500 enthusiasts from all over Italy to participate in the world’s largest tasting of Chianti Classico.
“We are extremely proud of the enthusiasm this event generates […] I can only express gratitude for the friendship shown by trade professionals and opinion leaders,” said President Giovanni Manetti, emphasizing how the Collection has become a global platform to narrate the present and future of the denomination.
This was echoed by Carlotta Gori, Director of the Consortium:
“Wine—and particularly our Chianti Classico—is not only the product of an agricultural practice, but the result of a complex system made of history, landscape, rural architecture, knowledge passed down through generations, and a sense of belonging that becomes sharing and hospitality.”
Chianti Classico Markets 2025: North America Drives Growth, Europe Grows More Aware, Asia Expands
2025 confirmed another strong year for the denomination, with volume growth of over 1% and a 2.6% increase in value compared to 2024. A particularly significant result in a challenging global context marked by tariffs, unstable consumption, and declining purchasing power. Chianti Classico continues on a steady course thanks to a value‑driven strategy and rising loyalty toward its premium categories—Riserva and especially Gran Selezione, which now account for 43% of volume and 55.2% of total value.
In Italy—representing 19% of total sales—the “drink less, drink better” approach pushes the market toward higher‑end segments, with a marked preference for Gran Selezione, increasingly perceived as the qualitative symbol of the Black Rooster.
Abroad, North America leads with growing strength. The United States rises from 36% to 37% of total volume despite tariffs increased to 15%, while Canada jumps from 10% to 12%, a 33% increase. Even more impressive are premium‑category results: in the U.S., Riserva grows 14% and Gran Selezione 20%, while in Canada both increase by nearly 30%—a clear sign of North American consumer attachment.
President Manetti commented:
“We were certain of the friendship and trust connecting us to North America […] the growth in the U.S. and Canadian markets should not surprise anyone […] USA + Canada account for 49%: one out of every two bottles crosses the Atlantic Ocean.”
In Europe, Germany and the Scandinavian markets show value growth. Particularly notable is Sweden, up nearly 7%, thanks to years of strategic investment by the Consortium. France, surprisingly, shows strong rising interest in Gran Selezione, further consolidating Chianti Classico’s perception as one of the world’s great wines.
In Asia, markets such as China, Singapore, and Hong Kong are not yet notable for volume, but they show value increases that indicate important future potential.
Ambasciatore ad Honorem 2026: Poland Speaks Chianti Classico
The 33rd Collection also marked the appointment of the new Black Rooster Ambasciatore ad Honorem: Polish critic and journalist Tomasz Prange Barczyński, editor‑in‑chief of Ferment – Pismo o winie and a leading figure in Polish wine communication.
“I am proud and truly happy not to have missed a single edition of Chianti Classico Collection from 2005 to today […] Today Chianti Classico is, in every respect, one of the leading denominations of Tuscany, of Italy, and therefore of the world […] I am sure that when I buy a bottle with the Black Rooster symbol, I can count on its quality.”
His appointment enriches a network that now includes 12 Ambasciatori ad Honorem in key global markets.
Vintages 2025–2020: A Heritage of Consistency, Freshness, and Balance Driving Commercial Success
Market results are supported by the quality of recent vintages, which have delivered stylistic profiles of remarkable balance.
- 2025 was a homogeneous, harmonious vintage with stable weather, well‑distributed rainfall, and healthy grapes producing wines with clear aromatics, measured tannins, and notable freshness.
- 2024, described by Manetti as “an elegant, fresh vintage reminiscent of the great 1990s years,” benefited from a breezy summer and September rains encouraging gradual ripening.
- 2023 required careful vineyard work but delivered healthy grapes and soft, fresh, balanced wines.
- 2022, despite a hot summer, found support in night‑time breezes and spring water reserves, producing balanced, ripe, harmonious wines.
- 2021 benefited from strong diurnal shifts, resulting in wines with fine tannins and an articulate aromatic profile.
- 2020, an iconic year, showcased “great structure and great balance,” favored by ideal climatic conditions and, as Manetti recalls, extraordinary care: “The goal we Black Rooster growers set for ourselves was to make the best wine of our career.”
This continuity of quality, combined with Sangiovese’s remarkable adaptability to climate variability, remains one of the strongest pillars of Chianti Classico’s identity across global markets.
“Wine Is Culture”: Giovanni Manetti’s Vision Becomes the Guiding Message of the 2026 Collection
In his closing speech, Manetti naturally linked markets, territory, and history into a single reflection:
“Culture is a word that comes from the Latin verb colere, to cultivate the land, metaphorically extended to the cultivation of the spirit. Wine is culture because it safeguards natural resources and the beauty of the landscape. Wine also contributes to the enhancement of the artistic and architectural heritage of production areas. And wine is culture because it enables dialogue between communities and encounters among people: wine is sociality and conviviality.”
And again:
“Despite this challenging scenario, Chianti Classico is in good health […] A highly significant result considering that Italian wine sales in the U.S. have fallen by over 10% and only three denominations are in positive territory—one of which is Chianti Classico […] We must stay the course toward quality and authenticity, continuing to work together cohesively. Long live Chianti Classico!”
These words—now more than ever—capture the mission of the Black Rooster: to unite production excellence, cultural vision, territorial awareness, and global strategy under a single identity.
