Consorzi Vini e Olio Classico tapped some of the industry’s best and brightest for its new education initiative

If familiarizing yourself with the updates that have recently come into effect in the Chianti Classico AOP is not on your list of New Year’s resolutions, the Consorzi Vini e Olio Classico has just handed you an incentive; a free, online training program – Mooc Chianti Classico.

Developed for industry and tourism professionals, journalists, educators and students as well as for all wine and olive oil enthusiasts, the new courses explore the rich history, regional characteristics, production techniques and the growing diversity within Chianti Classico DOP wine and oil.

The courses, currently only one, are available on demand and presented in five modules consisting of short videos led by some of our favorite communicators from the food and wine world, including Michaela Morris, Michael Godel, Alessandro Masnaghetti, Jeff Porter, Gabriele Gorelli MW and Leonardo Romanelli. 

You’ll study in English, with optional subtitles in Italian, French and German and upon completion receive an official certificate from the Consorzi Vino e Olio Chianti Classico.

As a vetern of trade association education courses, many of which like Valpolicella’s VEP have catapulted my understanding to new heights, I have not yet explored the Chianti Classico program but I’ll be doing that during the holiday break. What I can say it that very few things in life are truly free, this being one.

Meet Chianti Classico

The first available course – Meet Chianti Classico – guides you through the centuries-old history and unique terroir of one of the world’s most renowned wine and olive growing regions.

Over the course of five modules, you’ll explore every aspect of this Tuscan treasure, from its ancient history to modern-day challenges, from the source of production to the latest UGAs, from grape and olive varieties to production techniques for the two Black Rooster Denomination di Origine Protetta (DOP) products.

The course is aimed at food and wine writers, sommeliers, importers and distributors as well as wine lovers, at anyone who wants to enhance their professional skills or otherwise deepen their knowledge of the multi-faceted world of Chianti Classico.