The story behind Chianti's black rooster symbol
The black rooster (or black cock, or gallo nero as the Italians say) is the symbol for the entire Chianti Classico area. Since 1924, the winemakers united in the traditional consorzio, put labels on their wine bottles with these black roosters. The reason for this symbol is a conflict of many centuries ago.
Florence and Siena were traditional rivals in this region, but in the beginning of the 13th century they decided to end their long and lasting border conflicts for once and for all. They agreed to send a horseman from each of their cities to the other city, who would both leave exactly at cockcrow. The new border would be at their meeting point.
Florence managed to get their hands on a very active cock, that crowed far before sundawn. As a result, most of the Chianti region fell under Florence. In 1924, the winemakers decided the rooster would be an appropriate symbol for their Chianti.