18. Central Italy Flashcards
What is the general climate of Tuscany?
Warm Mediterranean with adequate rainfall for grape
growing.
When does the most rain fall in Tuscany?
Autumn and winter
What is the most important cooling aspect for inland Tuscan vineyards?
Altitude
What are the four main weather hazards in Tuscany?
1) Spring frost
2) Hail
3) Rain during harvest
4) Summer drought and prolonged high temperatures
What is Sangiovese called in Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile
When does Sangiovese bud?
Early
When does Sangiovese ripen?
Late
Where do grapes for the better quality wines tend to be
grown?
1) South, south-east facing slopes
2) 200-550m
On what two soils does Sangiovese perform best?
1) Friable, shale and limestone soils
2) Clay
What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese vines?
1) It is a vigorous variety
2) Thin skins make it is very susceptible to botrytis
3) It can produce high yields
What are the two common vine training methods of Sangiovese?
1) Cordons pruned to spurs
2) Cane pruned with vertical shoot
positioning.
What were the four aims of the Chianti Classico 2000 project?
To produce clones with:
1) Smaller
berries
2) Thicker skins
3) More open bunches
4) Wines with deeper colour, more
flavour intensity and greater disease resistance.
In what wine style is Trebbiano Toscano an important component?
Vin Santo
When does Trebbiano Toscano bud?
Late
What is Trebbiano Toscano prone to? (2)
1) Downy mildew
2) Eutypa dieback
Why is Trebbiano Toscano declining in popularity?
Its lack of fruitiness and low flavour intensity has led to a reduction in
plantings and because of increased demand for red wine
What is the main local black variety blended with Sangiovese in Chianti?
Canaiolo Nero
When blended with Sangiovese it is said that Canaiolo Nero does what?
Promote the floral and red-berried character of Sangiovese
What is a French synonym for Trebbiano Toscano?
Ugni Blanc
How was Sangiovese historically made?
1) 30 days + on skins
2) Aged in large, neutral oak
casks for an extended time (e.g. 3–4 years) to soften the tannins
3) Blended with white varieties
Contemporary Sangiovese spends how long on skins (depending on quality level)?
1) 7–10 days for early-drinking
wines with medium tannins
2) 15–25 days for wines with high tannins intended for ageing.
What are the current trends for Sangiovese maturation vessels?
Older barriques, 500-litre tonneaux and the traditional large, neutral, oak casks
Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc may not exceed what per cent in a Chianti blend?
15%
What 3 factors contribute to the generally light to medium flavour intensity and the lower cost of Chianti compared with Chianti Classico?
1) Moderately high yield (63 hL/ha)
2) Kess intensive
work in the vineyard (flatter land)
3) Short ageing (Chianti DOCG can be released for sale in March following the vintage) in large format stainless steel or old oak
Chianti Riserva must be aged for how long?
Two years before release
Provide two examples of Chianti sub-zones
1) Chianti Rufina DOCG
2) Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
What enhances the possibility of higher quality wine but reduces production volumes of Chianti sub-zones compared with Chianti?
Lower maximum yield of 56 hL/ha
Generic Chianti and Chianti Riserva must see how long in oak?
0 months
Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Senesi and Chianti Rufina must be aged for how long in oak?
6 months
Why is the coolest Chianti sub-zone and why?
1) Chianti Rufina DOCG
2) 350m altitude with cooling winds descending from a pass in the Apennines to the
north
Which Chianti sub-zone produces fuller bodied and richer wines and why?
1) Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
2) Generally warmer
than the others
At what altitude are the best wines of Chianti Classico typically grown?
200–500m
What are the three soil types of Chianti Classico?
1) Schistous, crumbly rock with clay and marl (known as galestro)
2) Calcareous soils with clay (known as alberese)
3) Sandstone and sandy soils.
Galestro is said to give wines what two characteristics?
Aromatic wines with the potential to age
Chianti Classico must be a minimum what per cent Sangiovese?
80%
Are white varieties permitted in Chianti Classico?
No
When is Chianti Classico permitted to be released?
No sooner than October in the year after the harvest
How long must Chianti Classico Riserva be matured?
For two years from 1 January after the harvest
What is the top tier of Chianti Classico?
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
What are the two requirements for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
1) Grapes must come from a single vineyard or an
estate owned by the producer
2) Be aged for a minimum of 30 months (no requirement to
age in wood).
What is the maximum yield for Chianti Classico?
52.5 hL/ha
Why is Montalcino generally warmer and drier than Chianti? (2)
1) It is protected from rain by Monte Amiata to the south
2) Cooling breezes at night from the Mediterranean Sea 40km away
What is the elevation of Montalcino’s vineyards?
120-500m with the oldest vineyards at the higher elevations
What are the two general soil types in Montalcino?
1) North - galetro (perfume)
2) South - more clay (fuller body)
Brunello di Montalcino must be what per cent Sangiovese?
100%
What are the ageing requirements of Brunello di Montalcino?
It may not be released until 1
January five years after the harvest, and ageing must include two years in oak containers.
Name two significant producers of Brunello di Montalcino
Casanova di Neri and Soldera.
What is Rosso di Montalcino?
1) 100% Sangoivese
2) From young vines or from less
promising sites.
3) It is aged briefly in stainless steel or oak to preserve primary fruit
4) Can be sold after a year.
How are Vino Nobile di Montepulciano’s vineyards planted?
On east and south-east facing slopes at elevations of 250–600 m
Why are Vino Nobile di Montepulciano’s higher altitude wines more aromatic?
Due to a longer ripening season
What are the soils of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Heavy, cool clay and
sand
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must be what per cent Sangiovese?
70-100
What are the ageing requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
The wine must be aged for a minimum of two years from 1 January after the
vintage, with a mandatory period of 12–24 months
in wood (dependent on the subsequent amount of
bottle age, if any, before release.)
What are the ageing requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva?
Three years (but no
additional requirement for ageing in oak)
Name two significant producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Avignonesi and Contucci.
Morellino di Scansano must be what per cent Sangiovese?
85%
Describe the climate and location of Morellino di Scansano (2)
1) Close to the coast of southern Tuscany
2) A warm area is moderated by altitude (average 250m) and cooling winds from the sea at night
Describe the growing conditions of Bolgheri
A warm climate, with cool nights due to the area’s proximity to the sea, leads to fully ripe grapes.
Winds from the sea throughout the year help to reduce the risk of fungal diseases
How are Bolgheri’s vines trained and trellised and why?
1) Cordon trained,
spur-pruned with VSP
2) Easy to maintain and to produce high quality fruit.
What is unique about how Bolgheri’s vineyards are planted?
Densities
are around 6,000 vines per ha
What varieties are permitted to be in a Bolgheri blend? (3)
1) Up to 100 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot
2) Up to 50 per cent of Syrah and Sangiovese
3) Up to 30 per cent of other varieties, for example, Petit Verdot.
White Bolgheri is typically made from what variety?
Vermentino
What are the ageing requirements of Bolgheri Rosso?
Released from September
of the year after harvest.
What are the ageing requirements of Bolgheri Rosso Superiore?
Must be aged for two years following
January 1 of the year after the harvest, one of which must be in oak.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC requires a minimum what per cent of what variety?
1) 80%
2) Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the ageing requirements of Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
Minimum ageing of two years, 18 months of which must be in 225 litre oak barrels.
Maremma Toscana DOC is centred around which Tuscan provience?
Grosseto
Describe the growing environment of San Gimignano (3)
1) Dry summers and is windy
2) Vines are
planted on hillsides between 200–400 m
3) Sandstone soils