It looks like Chianti is going pink. After more than a century defined by its ruby reds, the historic Tuscan denomination is on the verge of introducing a Chianti Rosé DOCG. The first rosé ever to join the Chianti family under Italy’s highest quality seal.
The regional council has already approved the proposal, and the Chianti Consortium has sent the new disciplinare to Rome for final sign-off by the national wine committee. If everything goes as expected, we could see bottles labelled Chianti Rosé DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) on the market as early as the 2026 vintage.
What’s actually changing
The new typology won’t create a separate appellation. Instead, “Rosé” (or Rosato) will become an official DOCG category within the existing Chianti denomination — governed by the same territorial and quality parameters as Chianti red wines.
That means all the grapes must come from within the recognised Chianti production area, and vinification, ageing, and bottling must happen there too. In short, this is still Chianti — just seen through a paler lens.
The disciplinare at a glance
The draft text, now in the hands of MIPAAF (Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture), outlines the main parameters for the new typology:
Grapes and blends
- Minimum 50% Sangiovese, Tuscany’s flagship variety, which must remain the backbone of the wine.
- The remaining share may include other authorised red varieties such as Canaiolo Nero, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Merlot.
- Up to 10% white grapes (Malvasia Bianca, Trebbiano Toscano, etc.) may be used, following the existing Chianti rules.
Yields and vineyard management
- Maximum grape yield: 11 tonnes per hectare for high-density vineyards (≥ 4,000 vines/ha); 9 t/ha for lower-density sites.
- Minimum vine density: 4,100 vines per hectare, except for Rufina where 4,500 is required.
- Maximum grape-to-wine conversion: 70%.
Alcohol and structure
- Minimum natural alcohol: 11.5%, rising to 12% in certain subzones.
- Rosé typology will follow the same parameters for extract, acidity, and stability as standard Chianti, but with adjusted colour and maceration guidelines to preserve a pale, delicate tone.
Winemaking
- Short maceration on the skins, limited to a few hours, followed by gentle pressing to achieve the desired salmon-pink hue. (You can read more about rosé winemaking here.)
- Vinification must occur within the Chianti area under strict quality control by the consortium.
- Ageing rules are expected to mirror those of basic Chianti: no mandatory oak, with release from the spring following harvest.
Labelling and presentation
- The wine will appear as “Chianti Rosato DOCG” or “Chianti Rosé DOCG” depending on export market.
- Bottling must use standard Chianti-approved formats (typically the Bordelaise bottle).
- Capsule and banderole will bear the pink-coded DOCG strip once authorised.
Why Chianti is doing this now
Rosé isn’t a new idea in Tuscany — many producers already bottle a rosato from Sangiovese. What’s new is the level of recognition. The Consortium sees this typology as a bridge between tradition and modern taste.
The numbers explain the move: global rosé consumption has grown by nearly 20% in the past decade, driven by younger drinkers and warm-climate markets. Meanwhile, Chianti sales in some export regions have flattened. The new category gives producers a chance to reach those consumers without leaving the denomination.
As Giovanni Busi, president of the Chianti Consortium, told Meininger’s Wine Business International, the aim is to “reflect the contemporary market while respecting identity.”
Style expectations
If the disciplinare holds, Chianti Rosé DOCG will likely be Sangiovese-driven, with brisk acidity, light tannin, and a savoury backbone — more gastronomic than poolside. Expect notes of wild strawberry, sour cherry, and herbs, with the faint minerality typical of Tuscan soils.
Producers with vineyards at higher altitude (particularly in Rufina and Colli Senesi) are expected to shine in this style thanks to their naturally fresh acid profiles.
What happens next
The draft disciplinare has been submitted to the Comitato Nazionale Vini DOP e IGP, which reviews and approves any DOCG rule changes before publication in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. Once the final decree is published, the typology becomes legally active, and the first certified rosé bottlings can begin.
Until then, producers can already prepare by adjusting vinification and submitting sample batches for internal testing. The Consortium’s goal is to have the first Chianti Rosé DOCG labels ready for release by next spring.
Why it matters
This will be Italy’s first official DOCG rosé typology, setting a precedent for other regions. It signals that even the most historic denominations can evolve, expanding without losing authenticity.
For wine lovers, it means one more expression of Sangiovese — and a new reason to revisit Chianti with an open mind.
The Author
Although I haven’t drunk a lot of Rosato from the region whenever there I always made sure to bring back a bottle or two of Castello Di Ama’s version, which I have a soft spot for. I’m not sure I have seen it on my U.K. market.
Hopefully with the new classification, they will be more available in the UK market as well.