Chianti Classico Masterclass with Jimmy Smith

Everyone knows Chianti. Or at least they think they do.

But forget the old wicker-covered bottles and mediocre trattoria wine of decades gone by. Modern Chianti Classico is one of Italy's most exciting fine wine regions, producing wines of incredible elegance, complexity and sense of place. And after spending several days exploring the region this June—meeting producers, wandering vineyards and, naturally, tasting plenty of wine—Jimmy can't wait to share it with you.

This special masterclass will take you beyond the familiar image of Chianti. It's a journey into the heart of Tuscany, where vineyards have been cultivated for centuries and where the boundaries of the original Chianti Classico region were officially defined as far back as 1716—making it one of the oldest legally protected wine regions in the world. Along the way you'll discover why the famous Black Rooster appears on every bottle, how Sangiovese became Tuscany's greatest grape, and why Chianti Classico has quietly become one of the best-value fine wine regions on the planet.

We'll taste seven superb wines, beginning with classic Chianti Classico before working our way up to the stars of the evening: three Gran Selezione wines, the very pinnacle of the appellation. Think of Gran Selezione as Chianti Classico's answer to Grand Cru—wines produced only from an estate's finest vineyards, made under the strictest regulations and aged for a minimum of 30 months before release. They represent the very best the region has to offer and are among Italy's most compelling fine wines.

We'll also explore one of the biggest developments in Italian wine in recent years: the introduction of 11 official geographical units (UGAs). Rather than treating Chianti Classico as one homogeneous region, these new sub-zones celebrate the remarkable diversity of soils, altitudes, climates and traditions across the region, helping explain why two wines made predominantly from Sangiovese can taste so wonderfully different. It's a fascinating step towards understanding Chianti Classico in the same way we think about Burgundy or Barolo.

Whether you've loved Chianti for years or think it's time to rediscover it, this promises to be one of those evenings where every glass tells another part of the story. Expect great wines, plenty of laughs, a few tales from Jimmy's recent trip, and almost certainly at least one bottle that will have you wondering why you don't drink Chianti Classico more often.

Come thirsty—and prepare to fall in love with Tuscany all over again.