The move will allow the names of 16 villages within the Chianti Classico production zone to be named on the label. The aim, so the Consortium, was to “to strengthen communication of the wine-territory combination, increase quality in terms of identity and territoriality, allow consumers to know where the grapes come from and, last but not least, stimulate demand by differentiating supply.”

The villages which have been defined as Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive, or UGAs are Castellina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole, Greve, Lamole, Montefioralle, Panzano, Radda, San Casciano, San Donato in Poggio (including the territories of Barberino Tavarnelle and Poggibonsi) and Vagliagli. According to the Consortium, they are “distinguishable on the basis of specific criteria such as oenological recognisability, historical authenticity, renown and significance in terms of volumes produced.”

Initially these villages can only be named in wines that meet the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione standards, a superior denomination introduced in 2013 which stipulated that wines had to be made from at least 80% Sangiovese, Tuscany’s indigenous grape. From now onwards, Gran Selezione wines have to have a minimum of 90% Sangiovese and only indigenous grape varieties can be added as the final 10%.