The Legend of the Black Rooster

A Black Rooster on a Gold field is the symbol of Chianti Classico Wine.  It is a symbol adopted from a medieval legend which we learned about during our tour.

At the time the Republics of Florence and Sienna were in constant conflict, each seeking to dominate.  The Chianti region, lying between the two republics, was the area of dispute and the cause of many battles.  In order to put a stop to the continual fighting it was agreed that an alternative means was needed to definitively define the border.  It was therefore decided that at dawn on a predetermined day, as defined by the crowing of the rooster, a rider would set out from both Florence and Sienna.  Where these riders met would be the border line between the two republics. 

The Florentines chose a black rooster while Sienna chose a white one.  However, the Florentines starved theirs and kept it in a darkened box so that, on the morning of the race, it started crowing as soon as it was released even though it was some time before dawn.  Consequently the Florentine rider set off far earlier than that from Sienna with the result that most of the Chianti region fell into the hands of Florence.

As a result of this race the bird became the symbol of the region of Chianti within the Florentine Republic and, having been adopted by Chianti Classico, a black cock is now seen as a sign of quality within Italy.