The Senate approves the legislation protecting the use of the designation introduced by Gallo Nero in 2014. The amendment to the Consolidated Wine Law safeguards the appellations that had already included it in their production regulations prior to 2026. For Chianti Classico, this marks the recognition of a project in which producers have invested for over a decade.
The “Gran Selezione” designation remains tied to Chianti Classico. With the final vote on November 4, the Senate approved the bill amending the Consolidated Wine Law (Law 238/2016), introducing protections for appellations that had already regulated the use of their names. For the Consorzio del Gallo Nero, this development brings to a close years of debate over the exclusivity of the name.
What the law provides
The provision reserves the “Gran Selezione” designation for wines with a designation of origin whose production regulations provided for and governed its use prior to January 1, 2026. In compliance with the production requirements established by law. Chianti Classico, which introduced the “Gran Selezione” designation in 2014 and is the only designation to have used it, thus sees the path it embarked upon more than twelve years ago safeguarded.
An investment in the identity of the Gallo Nero
What is at stake also includes the work done to raise the profile of the Gran Selezione. Since its introduction, the Chianti Classico wineries and the Consortium have allocated resources to the production and promotion of this category, making it one of the tools for positioning the appellation in international markets.
Protecting the designation thus strengthens the link between the name and the production project that brought it to the labels and made it known to the public.
Manetti: “We have defended our work”
“In recent years, we have staunchly defended our work, our identity, and the value of this project,” stated Giovanni Manetti, president of the Chianti Classico Wine Consortium.
Manetti acknowledged the support of the Board of Directors and the Gallo Nero producers throughout a long and complex process. He emphasized that this approval now allows them to continue working on the Gran Selezione with greater peace of mind.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione: Characteristics
- Permitted grape varieties: at least 90% Sangiovese and no more than 10% native red grape varieties
- Wine produced from a single vineyard or from a selection of the finest grapes grown exclusively on the estate
- Minimum aging: 30 months, including 3 months of bottle aging
- Option to includethe Additional Geographic Unit on the label
- Outstanding organoleptic characteristics
