Comparison
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione vs Dalmatian Plavac Mali
How Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and Dalmatian Plavac Mali differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Dalmatian Plavac Mali has more spice; Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more earthy character; Chianti Classico Gran Selezione has more acidity.
Choose
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Choose Chianti Classico Gran Selezione if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, fresher.
Choose
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Choose Dalmatian Plavac Mali if you want something spicier, stronger and warmer, fuller and richer.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Spice
Clear differencePepper, clove, cinnamon and related spice notes, whether from the grape (as with rotundone in Syrah) or from oak.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali is spicier: medium-plus against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is fresher: medium-plus against low-medium.
Alcohol
Clear differencePerceived alcoholic strength, which tracks actual ABV but is modified by sweetness, acidity and body.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali is stronger and warmer: high against medium-plus.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Dalmatian Plavac Mali is fuller and richer: high against medium-plus.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both medium.
- Floral character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Chianti Classico Gran Selezione | Dalmatian Plavac Mali |
|---|---|---|
| Spice | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Savoury character | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 16–18°C | 16–18°C |
| Typical flavours | black cherry, leather, tobacco, dried herbs, espresso | blackberry, dried fig, carob, black pepper, sea salt |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
The top tier of Chianti Classico, introduced in 2013: estate fruit only, longer ageing, and since 2023 a higher Sangiovese minimum.
Style
Dalmatian Plavac Mali
Powerful, high-alcohol reds from steep stony sites on the Croatian coast and islands.
Comparison
Chianti Classico Riserva vs Gran Selezione
What does the top tier actually require?