The origin of Gallo Nero
Gallo Nero (black rooster) is the trademark that you can find on every bottle of Chianti Classico. It's more than just a logo! To be more precise, that symbol represents the ancient Florentine Military League of Chianti, which included the municipalities of Gaiole, Radda and Castellina.
But why a black rooster?
To understand its origins, we need to go back in time and listen to a part of a legend.
At the end of the 14th century, Siena and Florence were competing for control of the Chianti hills.
The battles did not seem to lead to anything and therefore, the authorities of the cities decided to resolve the matter with a competition in which two jockeys would have had to leave at dawn, at the crowing of the cock, from their cities and set the border at the point where they they would be met.
Hoping that the rooster would wake them up sooner than their opponent, both cities began to force the rooster to crow as soon as possible.
The Sienese chose a white rooster and gave him plenty to eat the night before.
But why a black rooster?
To understand its origins, we need to go back in time and listen to a part of a legend.
At the end of the 14th century, Siena and Florence were competing for control of the Chianti hills.
The battles did not seem to lead to anything and therefore, the authorities of the cities decided to resolve the matter with a competition in which two jockeys would have had to leave at dawn, at the crowing of the cock, from their cities and set the border at the point where they they would be met.
Hoping that the rooster would wake them up sooner than their opponent, both cities began to force the rooster to crow as soon as possible.
The Sienese chose a white rooster and gave him plenty to eat the night before.
The Florentines chose a black rooster and left it without food.
As any of us would have done, having a full stomach the white rooster slept like a log, while the black rooster woke up in due time or even earlier, hungry and crowing for food.
As a result, the Florentine jockey gained an advantage and reached about 12 kilometers from the walls of Siena when his opponent caught up with him.
Since that time, the Black Rooster has become the symbol of the Lega del Chianti and finally of the Chianti Classico wines. It was also immortalized by Giorgio Vasari on the ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
As any of us would have done, having a full stomach the white rooster slept like a log, while the black rooster woke up in due time or even earlier, hungry and crowing for food.
As a result, the Florentine jockey gained an advantage and reached about 12 kilometers from the walls of Siena when his opponent caught up with him.
Since that time, the Black Rooster has become the symbol of the Lega del Chianti and finally of the Chianti Classico wines. It was also immortalized by Giorgio Vasari on the ceiling of the Salone dei Cinquecento in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
After all this time, the will to protect and appreciate the flavors of Chianti has not changed.
There is a lot to see and discover: wine and olive oil, castles and small typical Tuscan villages are ready to offer you warm hospitality.
