Consorzio Vino Chianti Tasting Event in Singapore

The Consorzio Vino Chianti was in town recently to host a wine event for Tuscan wines. Held on 3 Dec 2015 at The Fullerton Hotel, this event was locally managed by Felicitas Global Pte Ltd. Pictures of this event can be found at the following link:
Photo Album of the Chianti event

The morning started with a seminar “Chianti, The Pride of Tuscany” followed by a guided tasting of Chianti wines. 54 participants woke up and presented themselves promptly for this educational treat. Made up of trade folks and wine professionals, they took the opportunity to keep themselves abreast on the current affairs of the Chianti wine region. But to have a good grasp of the present, one also needs to know a little of the past; ‘how’ things were then and equally of importance, ‘why’ things were so.

Respected local wine personalities Edwin Soon and Tan Ying Hsien, MW rose to this task and shared with participants the historical, geographical, viticultural, vinification dimensions as well as information on the laws related to the production of Chianti wines (both past and present).

Tan Ying Hsien took the opportunity to discuss with seminar participants on the finer aspects to look for within a wine that goes to reflect good quality, constitution and ageability. Edwin Soon shared his views on how Chianti wines can be paired with local cuisine for consumers to derive an enjoyable experience as well.

Two pertinent points were highlighted during discussion time:

One was that the wines tasted during this session were 'across the set' clean and well made. The personality of each wine differs (for obvious reasons as they came from different sub-regions within Tuscany); but by and large 'good winemaking quality' showed in these Tuscan wines.

The second point was the worry that wines in the future may be crafted to win awards and gain mass consumer appeal rather than reflect the terroir and characteristics of the particular region a wine comes from. (A point often raised when discussing other wine regions as well).

Afternoon saw a ‘walk around’ tasting for trade folks, wine professionals and members of the local press in Fullerton Hotel’s Ballroom. Around 200 guests attended the afternoon session. Ms Radhika (President of Felicitas Global) invited Mr Marco Cordoni (Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy) and Mr Giovanni Bussi (President of Consorzio Vino Chianti) to offer the inaugural speech for this event.

35 representatives from the Chianti region showcased their wines. They were:

Cantina Sociale Colli Fiorentini – Valvirginio
Cantine LÁrco
Casa Vinicola Bartali
Castello del Trebbio
Castello di Poppiano – Guicciardini
Castelvecchio
Chianti Trambusti
Colognole
Fattoria Casabianca
Fattoria Casalbosco
Fattoria di San Quintino
Fattoria di Sant’Appiano
Ficomontanino
Fondo del Sole – Ferraro Agricola
Forconi Fabrizio – Podere dell'Anselmo
Guidi 1929
La Torre Societa Agricola
Podere La Chiesa
Ravazzi Vini di Toscana
Ridolfi srl
Ruffino
Streda Belvedere
Tenuta Bichi Borghesi
Tenuta di Artimino
Tenuta Il Corno
Tenuta Il Palazzo
Tenuta La Gigliola
Tenuta San Jacopo
Tenuta San Vito
Tenute di Fraternita
Uggiano
Usiglian del Vescovo
Val di Botte
Villa Travignoli
Vino Sorelli

The odd/unique ones. For me personally, apart from discovering a wine which shows good constitution and balance, the pleasure is in discovering wines made from varietals which I have not encountered before. It certainly ups the excitement factor and offers an opportunity to learn a little more.

Castello del Trebbio had a white wine “Vigneti Trebbio Conglura” 2014 made with Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Manzoni Bianco; and a red wine “Castello del trebbio”2014 made with Sangiovese, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo. The Manzoni Bianco and Ciliegiolo varietals are certainly new to me.

There were some straight varietal red wines as well; like those from Tenute La Gigliola. The IGT Toscaca Rosso “Canaiolo”2011 (canaiolo varietal) and IGT Toscana Rosso “Campoleo”2010 (merlot varietal) offered a counterpoint to red wines produced with multiple grape varietals.

Bottle design certainly made some wines stand out when visiting a table. Guidi 1929 had a chianti red in a traditional fiasco; a ‘straw basket bottle’. Another producer who used employed the fiasco bottle was Ruffino who used it for the Chianti Superiore DOCG 2013.

Short and stout bottles (used more for port wines) were in fashion too. Ravazzi Vini di Toscana presented Chianti DOCG Riserva “Borioso” 2012; and Usiglian del Vascovo presented IGT Toscana Rosso “MilleEottantatre”2011 in such bottles which certainly were eye catching and brought curious trade folks closer to the respective tables.

A good event.