It is Still Possible to Find a Chianti Fiasco

Filed in archive Italian Wines on June 4, 2010

© dottorpeni

In my neighborhood I've had a choice of two Chiantis off the store shelf until recently: Da Vinci and Ecco Domani. Both were good basic Chianti - palatable, with a the taste a cherries and firm tannins. Both were affordable (though Da Vinci was somewhat more expensive than Ecco Domani).

The 30 Second Wine Advisor ran a piece recently that talked about how international marketing efforts in Tuscany have led to replacing the fiasco that Chianti traditionally came in with more conventional bottles. They called it an image makeover. But since I grew up as much in Europe as the US, I kind of like the traditional fiasco.

My local grocer just started carrying Bell'agio Chianti, which comes in the fiasco. So I sit here on a warm Friday evening thinking about the week that has just past and watching the lightening bugs in my backyard, finishing a little Chianti from a traditional fiasco in the wicker basket.

Anyone that thinks that Chianti needs an image makeover is more interested in appearances than in wine...