The Black Rooster emblem is 700 years old and it is far more than a symbol. It is a proud designation and represents the strict government regulations, overseeing everything from the yield to production that uphold the reputation of Chianti Classico. Branded in 1384 as the emblem for the League of Chianti, today the label is placed on the neck of a bottle of wine from the Chianti Classico zone.
But why a Black Rooster? Well, that is where the legend comes in… Red wine had been produced in this area since around 1000 A.D. and Florence and Siena long feuded over rights to this region. Finally, around 1200, they agreed to end the feud with a competition.
Horsemen
were to depart from rival the cities at the crow of a rooster. Wherever
they met would determine the boundary lines and settle the dispute once
and for all. While the Senesi chose a well-fed white rooster, the
cunning Florentines chose a starving black rooster. On the day of the
event the white rooster dutifully crowed at sunrise, but the poor hungry
black rooster had begun to crow long before, thus giving the Florentine
rider a considerable advantage. The Senese horseman didn’t get very far
and borders were established with the region now belonging to Florence.
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