Sitting between high-calibre annata and ambitious Gran Selezione, Riserva runs the risk of being Chianti Classico’s middle child. And, in some respects, the category does have a bit of an identity crisis.
Riserva represents 32% of Chianti Classico’s production. According to Francesco Mazzei at Castello di Fonterutoli, sales are booming thanks in part to the success of the Gran Selezione category. ‘Gran Selezione is the magnet that attracts people to try the quality of Chianti Classico, and the Riserva are more affordable,’ he declares.
Nevertheless, among the new releases, several producers already showing 2018 Gran Seleziones were just coming out with their 2017 Riserva.
Scroll down for Michaela’s top Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 wines – plus late releases from 2017
How do the categories compare?
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Top Chianti Classico Riserva 2018 and late releases:
{}
{"wineId":"48212","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48200","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"46296","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48211","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48216","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48197","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48202","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{"wineId":"48207","displayCase":"standard","paywall":true}
{}
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