Sep 04: Giovanni Manetti, owner of Fontodi-the premier Chianti Classico Estate in Panzano in Chianti, has been unanimously nominated as the 14th Chairman of Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico by the new Board of Directors with the retiring Chairman of the Consorzio, Sergio Zingarelli now sharing the role as Vice-Chairman along with Francesco Colpizzi of the Co-operative Castelli del Grevepesa, according to a Press Release yesterday
The 52-year young Giovanni Manetti is a pure breed of Chianti Classico. He considers himself an artisanal winegrower. Flacianello delle Pieve IGP, the 100% Sangiovese varietal from his winery is an iconic wine and considered one of the top wines of Chianti Classico region, made from a single organic vineyard. His passion for wines of the region has made him world famous and gain multiple experiences as a specialist, entrepreneur and active participant in the life of the Appellation. He has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1992 and, Vice-Chairman of the Vino Chianti Classico Consortium since 2012.
His varied and extensive experience has met with the full approval of the different categories represented by the Board of Directors who are wine growers, winemakers or bottlers in the region, and who have always shared a strategic approach based on continuous promotion of the Chianti Classico wine appellation through the ongoing pursuit of product quality. Authenticity and terroir- the true differentiating features of Chianti Classico region have been improving its position and image on both domestic and international fronts.
Manelli is the 14th Chairman of the oldest Consortium since it was founded in 1924 and takes over from Sergio Zingarelli, owner of Rocca delle Macie, who led the Consortium with skill and passion for six years and received accolades and gratitude from the Board for his untiring commitment and zeal with which he faced the Consortium’s challenges.
‘The handover from one Chairman to the other takes place at a particularly significant moment for the Consortium and for the future of the Chianti Classico designation. In recent years the Consortium has increasingly recognized the indissoluble link that exists between an excellent product and its production zone. A priority role in the projects for the next three years will go to advancing the UNESCO candidacy process for Chianti Classico as a cultural landscape and governance of the Rural District of Chianti, in agreement with the local municipalities, as an organism destined to become a benchmark for local development policies,’ according to the Press Release.
Chianti Classico applied for the UNESCO Heritage Site recognition in 2016 during the Chairmanship of Zingarelli under the aegis of the then Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and was reported by delWine.
The idea had been discussed by the members of the consortium for months and it was decided in February 2016 to make the application. It was now formalised in Florence during a series of celebrations for the 300th anniversary of the announcement of the Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici on Sept. 24, 1716 through a decree. This decree defined the area and the boundaries for making Chianti-including the current area of Chianti Classico, Pomino (Chianti Rufina), Valdarno di Sopra and Carmignano. This was the forerunner for the DOCG wine classification and was the first example of defining the boundary of wine production in Italy.
If the application for acceptance as a Heritage site by UNESCO is successful, there would be benefits for Chianti Classico as a prestige tourist destination. Joining the UNESCO club would also give some protections for the landscape like property speculation.
Manetti says, “I’m very pleased about the appointment, above all because it expresses the desires of the whole team. The three years ahead will undoubtedly be challenging and I hope to be able to continue the path my predecessors have undertaken with success, and contribute towards consolidating and promoting one of the most excellent products of the Italian and international wine sectors.”
The new Consorzio Chianti Classico Board of Directors consists of: Giovanni Manetti - Fontodi, Simone François - Castello di Querceto, Laura Bianchi - Castello di Monsanto, Sebastiano Capponi - Villa Calcinaia, Alessandro Palombo - Luiano, Tommaso Marrocchesi Marzi - Bibbiano, Nicolò Mascheroni Stianti - Castello di Volpaia, Alessandra Casini Bindi Sergardi - Bindi Sergardi, Baron Francesco Ricasoli - Barone Ricasoli, Duccio Corsini - Principe Corsini – Villa Le Corti, Renzo Cotarella - Marchesi Antinori, Luigi Cappellini - Castello di Verrazzano, Enrico Pozzesi - Rodano, Filippo Mazzei - Marchesi Mazzei, Sergio Zingarelli - Rocca delle Macìe (outgoing Chairman), Enrico Viglierchio - Banfi, Ivano Reali - Castello di Gabbiano, Stefano Marzotto - Pile e Lamole e Vistarenni, Andrea Cecchi - Cecchi, Francesco Colpizzi - Castelli del Grevepesa, Malcolm Leanza - Cantina Colline del Chianti.
Subhash Arora
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