Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico&hellip; Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine&rsquo;s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

This development has not been historically exclusive to Chianti, leading to the creation of more than one Classico district. In general, the Classico wines tend to be slightly better as these regions are smaller and have stricter rules regarding plantings and winemaking. If not better, at least more traditional and typical of the region.

The most well-known Classico regions, apart from Chianti, would be Valpolicella Classico making red wine from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, also known as the grapes for Amarone. Valpolicella Classico is located within Valpolicella in the region Veneto, also home to two lesser known Classico regions: Bardolino Classico and Soave Classico. Bardolino Classico is located to the west of Valpolicella and produced from the same grapes, while Soave Classico, in contrast to the rest, makes white wine from the local Garganega. All great wines and certainly part of the Italian wine history.

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

In this special edition of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews Gaia Gaja of Gaja Winery in Piedmont, northwestern Italy, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world.

Wine List Review of Gaja Winery with the “Queen of Barbaresco” Gaia Gaja

Robert Tas

Meet the “Queen of Barbaresco” Gaia Gaja from the legendary Gaja Winery

&nbsp;

Gaja:

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Excited to announce our CorkRules app is now available for download, it has over 40K of your favorite restaurants where you can get personalized recommendations, price transparency, and connect with your friends. It&rsquo;s a place to discover, learn and order wine with confidence.

&nbsp;

Welcome to today&rsquo;s podcast with my special guest, &nbsp;Gaia Gaja, from the iconic Gaja vineyards. 5 Generations of wine making.

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: It was a pleasure meeting you in Aspen at the Food and Wine Classic where you hosted quite the tasting. Let&rsquo;s start by talking about your family history, Giovanni who began making wine in 1859 and your father Angelo who is one of most revered wine makers ever.

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp; I read about your father&rsquo;s focus on quality where he once sold off 12K cases of wine as bulk because he didn&rsquo;t believe it was of quality.

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Talk about your family&rsquo;s philosophies for wine making and the business? Not buying grapes from anyone. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Can you share some of the more controversial things your father did in wine making, trail blazing new approaches?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Talk about your land, the vineyard and nature? New vineyards you are cultivating? How you manage this?

GG:&hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Let&rsquo;s talk about you and your journey into wine. Working in the family business? Your brother?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Alright now let&rsquo;s talk about your wines.

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Tell us about your flagship Barbaresco? Barolo? Brunello? What makes your wines unique?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: You also make a fabulous white?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: What are you most proud of with your wine making?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Let&rsquo;s talk about what you&rsquo;re showing now? Current Vintages-releases.

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Which wine is your favorite? Do you remember the wine that touched your soul?

 
GG:

&nbsp;

RT: In speaking with you, I can feel your commitment to history but also innovation in wine making, please about it?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: What does the future hold with weather, the industry, what are you seeing?

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT: Do you see changes in the consumers? How do we get more young people into wine?

&nbsp;

GG:

&nbsp;

RT: Gaia, Thank you so much joining us here on CorkRules sharing your journey, your family history. We are so humbled to have you.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

GG: &hellip;

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp; To our audience, thank you all for Joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please download the CorkRules app that has over 40K restaurants that provides personalized recommendations, provides price transparency, and allows you to connect you&rsquo;re your friends. Order with confidence.

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Peju is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Napa Valley. We are committed to producing high-quality, handcrafted wines that reflect the unique character of our vineyards. Our winemaking philosophy is based on a deep respect for the land and a dedication to sustainable farming practices.

This luxe rooftop bar atop the Archer Hotel has Empire State Building views & craft cocktails.

Craft

Craft L.A.

Barbrix

Wally's

The Belvedere

Spago Las Vegas by Wolfgang Puck

Spago

Jeune Et Jolie

Cucina Urbana

Rossoblu

Petit Trois

Cowboy Star

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Spyglass

Available Wines
Total Wines - 10

Salentein

Killka Malbec NV

Malbec

Uco Valley, Argentina

Mirabeau

La Folie Sparkling Rose NV

France

Diving Into Hampton

Water Rose, Languedoc NV

Languedoc, France

Cakebread

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Napa Valley, USA

Antinori

Peppoli Chianti Classico NV

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Napa Cellars

Merlot NV

Merlot

California, USA

The Prisoner

Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Trinchero

Mary's Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Calistoga, USA

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne France NV

Champagne, France

Antica

Mountain Select Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA