6 Curiosità sul Gallo Nero

6 Curiosities about the Black Rooster: discover its history!

Why the Chianti Classico wine has the black rooster on the bottle? Here are the stages that led to it occupying a place of honor on the neck of every bottle! Discover 6 curiosities about the most famous Black Rooster in Italy.

The first of the 6 curiosities about the Black Rooster? The Military League of Chianti

The organization of the territories of the “Liga et societas de Chianti” dates back to the beginning of the 14th century, under the emblem of the Black Rooster and with the division into the territories of Gaiole, Castellina and Radda. When he lost the task of to territorially defend the borders of Chianti, the League continued its work to protect the cultivation and production of wine.

The League initially chose the Black Rooster as a symbol for its strength, beautiful plumage and proud character. It was initially representative of the production area of the “Black Rooster”. It was later used as an emblem of the Chianti wine area.

The Legend of the “Black Rooster”

In the Middle Ages the ancient hostility between the Republic of Siena and Florence they find no solution to the issue of land control and Chianti territory. The rivalries and hostilities between them were certainly not legend. However, the story of how the border was drawn has become part of legend. According to legend, in fact, Siena and Florence agreed that the border between their territories would be established at the point where their respective knights would meet. In fact, both chose a knight who at dawn, as soon as the rooster crows, would leave from their respective city to the rival city. They had to choose the rooster well so that it would crow early in the morning and so the knight could leave as soon as possible. The Sienese chose a White Rooster, carefully looked after and well fed the days before the meeting with the intention that the rooster would thus sing vigorously early in the morning. The Florentines, on the contrary, chose a free range black rooster, kept in the dark and fasting for days and began to sing well before dawn. Thus the Florentine knight set off early, gaining more ground than his rival. The two thus met near Castellina in Chianti, where they established the border.

Vasari painted the Black Rooster celebrating its role in identity.

Never again great painter by Vasari could represent the famous rooster! Vasari painted it in the Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio in the Allegory of Chianti (1563-1565). He himself gave a detailed description of it. «That, Sir, it's the Chianti, with the Pesa and Elsa rivers, with horns full of fruit, and they have at their feet a Bacchus of a more mature age for the excellent wines of that country; and in the distance I portrayed Castellina, Radda and Brolio, with their insignia; and the coat of arms on the shield held by that young man, which represents Chianti, is a black rooster on a yellow background».

The Grand Ducal Edict of 1716 for the Production of Chianti

The first important historical date for Chianti dates back to September 24, 1716. On that date, in fact, the Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo III de' Medici issued an edict. On the basis of this, he established the rules for the production of wines from his possessions. He also outlined four geographical areas and their respective borders. He thus defined the areas of Chianti, Pomino, Carmignano and Valdarno Superiore. Cosimo also established a system of control over wine production. In this way he could keep a lid on counterfeiting that was already taking place during the period.

The “recipe” of Chianti

We have to wait until 1800 when the Baron Bettino Ricasoli formulated the first "recipe" for Chianti wine. This was thanks to his studies and research. He is credited with finding the right mix of grape varieties. In 1872 he wrote “… I confirmed the results already obtained in the first experiments, that is, that the wine (Chianti) receives from the Sangioveto the main dose of its perfume (which I particularly aim for) and a certain vigor of sensation; from the Canajolo the amiability that tempers the hardness of the first, without taking away any of its perfume, even though it is endowed with it; the cattivita, which could be done without for wines destined for aging, tends to dilute the product of the first two grapes, increases its flavor and makes it lighter and more readily usable for everyday table use”. He thus officially invested Sangioveto (now Sangiovese) in its central role in the production of Chianti.

Birth of the Chianti Protection Consortium

Another fundamental stage was 1924. In this year 33 winemakers founded the Consortium "for the defense of the typical Chianti wine and its brand of origin" Today Chianti Classico Wine Consortium. The aim was to unite efforts and intentions to promote and protect the production of an entire territory. Today the members have reached about 500, but the aims have remained the same. Today, in fact, the Consortium can count not only on men but also on women who, in ever greater numbers over the years, take turns in family businesses or approach the world of viticulture with passion. Since 1924, the black rooster has become the symbol of the consortium Chianti Classico. Even today it is present on all the bottles. In fact, it testifies the authenticity of Chianti wine Classic to guarantee consumers around the world.

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