Chianti Classico Grand Tasting 2026, Ai Fiori, NYC, USA

The Chianti Classico DOCG Grand Tasting 2026 sponsored by Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico and held at Ai Fiori restaurant in New York City provided trade and industry insiders with the opportunity to learn about, as well as taste, the various nuances and the riches of the Chianti Region of Italy from the diversity of its Chianti Classico wines, to Chianti Classico Vin Santo, to its Chianti Classico Olio DOP (olive oils). It was a memorable day of tasting Italy in a glass and made us want to plan a trip to return to that gorgeous region. Saluti! 

Over the course of several hours on Monday, April 27, 2026, we had the opportunity to learn about, as well as taste the various classifications of Chianti Classico: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico Riserva, and Chianti Classico Annata. What was especially interesting was learning the distinguishing characteristics of each of the classifications.

Chianti Classico Classifications

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Sangiovese: Minimum 90%, Maximum 100%, other permitted indigenous red grapes only, can be a maximum of 10%.
Technical Notes: grown and bottled on the estate, produced from a single vineyard or from a selection of estate’s best grapes.
Minimum Aging: 30 months, including 3 months of bottle aging.
Organoleptic features of excellence.
Possibility to include the Additional Geographical Unit on the label.

Chianti Classico Riserva
Sangiovese: Minimum 80%, Maximum 100%, other permitted red grapes include indigenous or international can be a maximum of 20%.
Minimum Aging: 24 months, including 3 months of bottle aging.
Type-specific organoleptic features

Chianti Classico Annata
Sangiovese: Minimum 80%, Maximum 100%, other permitted red grapes include indigenous or international can be a maximum of 20%.
Minimum Aging: 12 months
Type-specific organoleptic features

Chianti Classico Wineries 

There were 34 Chianti Classico wineries presenting their wines and we did our best to taste samplings to appreciate the layered nuances of Chianti Classico and the three classifications.

Antinori Badia a Passignano Riserva 2001

Antinori

Arillo Croce Chianti Classico 2021

Arillo in Terrabianca

Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva 2022 & 2024

Banfi

Alessio Lecchini – Bel Vedere1 Tenuta de Carfini 2024

Belvedere1
Borgo Scopeto
Caparsa
Carpineto
Casina di Cornia
Castello di Fonterutoli
Castello di Meleto
Castello di Monsanto
Castello di Querceto
Castello di Verrazzano
Castello di Vicchiomaggio
Conti Capponi
Famiglia Cecchi
Fèlsina
Fontodi
Isole e Olena
Istine
La Sala del Torriano

Lamole di Lamole Vigneto di Campolungo 2021

Lamole di Lamole
Marchesi Frescobaldi
Querciabella
Rocca delle Maria – Familia Zingarelli
Ruffino
San Fabiano Calcinaia
San Felice Toscana A.D. 714
Tenuta Carobbio
Tenuta Casenuove
Vecchie Terre di Montefili
Vigneti La Selvanella – Melini
Villa Mangiacane
Viticcio

Chianti Classico Vin Santo DOC

In addition to Chianti Classico wines, attendees also had the opportunity to learn about and taste Chianti Classico Vin Santo DOC wines, delectable dessert wines to serve with almond based desserts or aged cheeses. What made the Vin Santo tasting so exceptional was the ability to not only taste a range of styles (depending on the types of varietals used) as well as the ability to taste a bit of wine history from 2004 through 2022.

Interesting to note about Vin Santo is that the grape production area is the same as the Chianti Classico DOCG designation and is almost identical to the one established by Cosimo III de’ Medici in 1716. The minimum aging period for Vin Santo is 24 months in oak casks (caratelli) with a maximum capacity of 3-hectoliters. Alcohol by volume (ABV) must have a minimum potential of 16%, and actual ABV of 10.5%. Aging periods must be a minimum of three years after the harvest before they can be released to the market.

Chianti Classico Vin Santo DOC

The Chianti Classico Vin Santo DOC Presented

Borgo Scopeto: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Borgo Scopeto 2019
60% Trebbiano, 40% Malvasia
Bottles produced: 2,000

Caparsa: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Caparsa 2004
47.5% Trebbiano, 47.5% Malvasia Bianca, 5% Malvasia Nera
Bottles produced: 900

Castello di Meleto: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Castello di Meleto 2013
90% Trebbiano, 5% Sangiovese, 5% Malvasia
Bottles produced: 5,000

Castello di Monsanto: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico La Chimera Occio di Pernice 2006
100% Sangiovese
Bottles produced: 3,200

Castello di Querceto: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Castelo di Querceto 2022
Trebbiano, Malvasia and San Colombano
Bottles produced: 3,200

Fèlsina: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina Occio di Pernice 2007
100% Sangiovese
Bottles produced: 2,600

Fontodi: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fontodi 2015
50% Sangiovese, 50% Malvasia
Bottles produced: 1,000

Isole e Olena: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Isole e Olena 2012
60% Trebbiano, 45% Malvasia, 10% Sangiovese
Bottles produced: 400

Chianti Classico Olio DOP

In addition to its famous wines, the Chianti Classico region is also famous for its Chianti Classico Olio DOP. It was interesting doing side-by-side olive oil tastings and learning about their nuances.

It is interesting to note about Chianti Classico Olio DOP is that the olive oil can last 2 years if it is well preserved. Other interesting factors to consider are the limits when comparing Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and DOP Chianti Classico Olio. For Extra-Virgin Oil there is no testing required for its chemical parameter, whereas DOP Chianti Classico Olio, must be tested. Acidity level for ranges from 0.8% for Extra-Virgin Oil to 0.5% for DOP Chianti Classico Olio There are many benefits of Chianti Classico DOP Olive Oil including reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, heart attack, renal failure, and regular use can reduce signs of ageing of the skin!

Chianti Classico Olio DOP

Belvedere1: Castellina In Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Alya

Castello di Fonterutoli

Castello di Fonterutoli: Castellini In Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Fonterutoli

Conti Capponi: Greve In Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Villa Calcinaia

Fèlsina: Castelnuovo Berardegna
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Pagliarese

Fontodi: Panzano In Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Fontodi

Frantoio Pruneti: Greve in Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico The Guardian

I Tattoli – Bin Smaghi: San Casciano In Val Di Pesa
Olio DOP Chianti Classico I Tattoli

Isole e Olena: Barberino Tavarnelle
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Isole e Olena

La Sala del Torriano: San Casciano In Val Di Pesa
Olio DOP Chianti Classico La Sala del Torriano

Rocca delle Macie Famiglia Zingarelli

Rocca delle Macìe – Famiglia Zingarelli: Castellini In Chianti
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Famiglia Zingarellli

Talente: San Casciano In Val Di Pesa
Olio DOP Chianti Classico Cassiano

The Chianti Classico Grand Tasting was a full, and very delicious day of Chianti Classico wine tastings, master classes, Chianti Classico Vin Santos, and Chianti Classico DOPs. Until next time, Saluti! 

Kevin Zraly & Edward F. Nesta

Read more about Chianti Classico wines and the Master Class in the Wine Cellar section. 

For more information on Chianti Classico, please visit the website: https://www.chianticlassico.com/en/

Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico
Via Sangallo, 41 – Loc. Sambuca
50028 Barberino Tavarnelle (FI)
Italy
Telephone: +055 82285
Website: https://www.chianticlassico.com/en/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chianticlassico/ @chianticlassico
#ChiantiClassico
#BlackRooster

Ai Fiori
400 5^th Avenue, 2^nd Level
The Langham NYC
New York City, New York 10018
United States
Telephone: 1-212-613-8660
Website: https://aifiorinyc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aifiori @aifiori

Ai Fiori Hours: Breakfast: Monday through Friday from 7:00 am until 11:00 am, and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 am until 11:30 am. Lunch: Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm until 2:30 pm. Dinner: Sunday from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Monday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Bar Fiori Hours: Monday through Thursday from 12:00 pm until 10:00 pm, Frida from 12:00 pm until 10:30 pm, Saturday from 2:00 pm until 10:30 pm, and Sunday from 2:00 pm until 9:30 pm.

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