“Gran Selezione” case of Chianti, the reaction of Chianti Classico: “opposition in all venues”

“We will clearly oppose the proposal of Chianti Gran Selezione in all institutional venues. We have suffered a frontal attack, which risks endangering the path of collaboration started some time ago by the Tuscan wine-growing sector, strongly supported and encouraged also by the Region, which has so far seen us participate and active protagonists”. Clear words, which leave no room for interpretation, those of the president of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico Giovanni Manetti arrived, as expected, after the proposal of the Consorzio del Vino Chianti, led by Giovanni Busi, to introduce the type Gran Selezione also for Chianti, as already done, with success, some years ago, by Chianti Classico.

“The choice of the Consorzio Vino Chianti regarding the announced project of changes to the production regulations, finds us clearly opposed but above all incredulous - explains an official note of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico - because it is aimed at a management strategy that in our opinion is not constructive and absolutely devoid of innovative and original ideas that are always very necessary. It is important to remember that the Gran Selezione, on the market since 2014, is only a type of Chianti Classico, created by the exclusive work of the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico.
We deeply regret that the proposed choices of the Consorzio Chianti are all aimed only at re-proposing strategies of enhancement already put in place by the Chianti Classico wine: the Gran Selezione, however, with characteristics identical to those of the Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, such as alcohol content, aging time and the ban on the use of the flask, and the compulsory certification for bulk transactions. A few days after the announced increase in the sugar content of Chianti wine, with the presumed intention of aligning itself with the tastes of foreign markets, mainly Chinese and American, there is now a strategy for the qualitative growth of the product. Just enough to generate messages that are confusing for the consumer, that deprive Chianti wine producers of clear and long-term prospects”.