Chianti Goes Pink

A New Chapter for a Tuscan Classic

When you think of Chianti, the image that likely comes to mind is a ruby-red wine, perhaps even in a traditional fiasco (the straw-covered bottle), served alongside a rustic Tuscan meal. For centuries, Chianti has been the quintessential everyday wine of Tuscany—dry, fruity, fresh, and moderately alcoholic, making it the perfect companion for a variety of dishes.

But here’s an important detail: Chianti is not the same as Chianti Classico. While Chianti Classico comes from the historic, central zone—the very heart of Tuscany marked by the iconic black rooster—Chianti as a designation covers a much larger area surrounding it. This wider region produces great quantities of red wine, typically aged around one year, and designed to be approachable and ready to drink.

The Fluctuations of Chianti’s Popularity

The production scale is massive: about 100 million bottles a year. Historically, around 20–25% of these bottles have been exported to the U.S., making America one of Chianti’s most important markets.

However, the tides are changing. With global wine consumption in decline and tariffs looming in 2025, many Chianti producers are concerned. The drop in demand, paired with uncertainty in international trade, has left the region searching for ways to remain relevant and competitive.

A Bold Move: Introducing Chianti Rosato

In response, the Consorzio of Chianti (the governing body for the denomination) has taken a bold step: introducing a brand-new style of Chianti—a rosé wine, or rosato, as we call it here in Italy.

This isn’t just any rosé. The rules state it must be made with at least 50% Sangiovese, the same noble grape that defines Chianti’s red wines, combined with other locally grown red and white grape varieties.

Unlike red Chianti, which requires some aging, Chianti Rosato will be vinified like a white wine. This means it will be bottled and released in the spring following the harvest, allowing producers to get their wines to market quickly—an important strategy in today’s fast-moving wine world.

The hope? That this new pink version will revitalize interest in the Chianti name, appealing to younger drinkers and those looking for a fun, refreshing wine to enjoy in warm weather.

Will the World Embrace a Pink Chianti?

It’s a daring shift for a region so deeply rooted in tradition. While rosé wine has been gaining popularity worldwide, some wine lovers may be hesitant to embrace a pink version of a wine they’ve always known as red.

But who knows? Perhaps the idea of sipping a chilled glass of Chianti Rosato by the poolside will catch on, giving new life to this iconic Tuscan wine.

Only time—and a few sips—will tell.