The appellation's new rules, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 30, also create the Terre di Vinci subzone
Chianti, one of Italy's best-known red wines, can now also be rosé. The new production rules for the Chianti DOCG appellation were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 30, according to The Drinks Business. Publication completes a process approved in Italy in June by the Ministry of Agriculture, based on a proposal from the Consorzio Vino Chianti.
Until now, anyone making rosé from the region's grapes had to sell it under another designation. Under the new rules, Chianti Rosé must contain at least 60% Sangiovese; the rest may come from red and white grapes authorized in Tuscany, such as Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah. According to the consortium, the wine may reach the market only from December 1 of the harvest year and must have a minimum alcohol content of 11.5%. The rosé may also carry subzone names on the label.
Two traditions are left out of the rosé, according to The Drinks Business: governo all'uso toscano, a technique that adds partially dried grapes during fermentation, and the straw-covered bottle, the fiasco.
The change that most affects producers is the drop in Chianti's minimum Sangiovese from 70% to 60%. In the red, white grapes remain limited to 10%, and Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon combined to 15% (10% in the Colli Senesi subzone). Anyone who wants to keep making Chianti entirely from Sangiovese can continue to do so.
The rules also create the Terre di Vinci subzone, which joins Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Colline Pisane, Montalbano and Montespertoli, and drop the requirement for wooden-barrel aging for Riserva wines from Colli Fiorentini, Rufina and Colli Senesi. The Drinks Business links the changes to new drinking habits in Europe, pressure on household budgets and growing interest in lighter, fresher styles.
Bebidário's catalog includes Ruffino Chianti and, also from Tuscany, Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso.
Sources: The Drinks Business (November 4, 2026), Consorzio Vino Chianti (2026).
