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CURIOSITY ABOUT SOME FLORENTINE EXCELLENCES

The Legend of the Black Rooster, the Symbol of Chianti Classico

The Symbol

The Black Rooster is a very important symbol for all producers of Chianti Classico. When it is placed on the neck or label of a bottle, it allows to distinguish a wine that is truly produced within the territory of Chianti (a Chianti Classico wine) from those produced outside this territory in the rest of Tuscany, known as “Chianti” wines without the “Classico” appellation and without the Black Rooster.

The symbol used has a very ancient origin. It was indeed used by the League of Chianti, a political-military institution created by the Republic of Florence to control the Chianti territory. But behind this choice lies a fascinating legend.

The Legend

It is said that in the medieval period, after years of bloody war between the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Siena for control of the Chianti territory, it was decided to end the war and determine the boundaries of the two republics through a unique competition.

On a set day, at the first crow of the rooster, a knight would depart at a gallop from their respective cities, and the point where they would meet would mark the border.

The people of Siena chose a white rooster to start their knight and treated him with all comforts in the days leading up to the competition, feeding him abundantly. On the other hand, the Florentines chose a black rooster, which they kept in an uncomfortable cage and left without food for several days.

On the appointed day for the challenge, the black rooster of the Florentines, now driven to extreme hunger and discomfort, crowed long before dawn, allowing the Florentine knight to depart with a decisive advantage over the Sienese knight. The Sienese rooster, well-fed and relaxed, woke up and crowed long after the first light of dawn.

And so, the knights met just a few kilometers from Siena, near Fonterutoli, where the border between the two Republics was established.

Comments:

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