18. Central Italy Flashcards
What is the general climate of Tuscany?
Warm Mediterranean with adequate rainfall for grape
growing.
What are the five main regions of Central Italy?
1) Tuscany
2) Marche
3) Umbria
4) Abruzzo
5) Lazio
When does the most rain fall in Tuscany?
Autumn and winter with some during the growing season
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? Why?
1) South, south-east facing slopes
2) 200-550m
3) To enable full ripeness over a long season with maximum sunlight interception
On what two soils does Sangiovese perform best?
1) Friable, shale and limestone soils
2) Clay
What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in the vineyard?
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.
In what wine style is Trebbiano Toscano an important component? Why?
1) Vin Santo
2) High acidity
What are the seven overarching DOC/G appellatoins of Tuscany?
1) Chianti et al
2) Montalcino
3) Montepulciano
4) Morellino de Scansano
5) Bolgheri
6) Maremma Toscana
7) Vernaccia di San Gim
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? (2)
1) Its lack of fruitiness and low flavour intensity has led to a reduction in plantings
2) 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
Contemporary Sangiovese spends how long on skins (x2 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 DOCG 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) Less 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 (vessel unspecified)
Provide two examples of Chianti sub-DOCGs
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
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 does galestro soil consist of?
Schistous, crumbly rock with clay and marl
What does albarese soil consist of?
Calcareous soils with clay
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 three 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).
3) 90% Sangiovese
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 - galestro (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 four years after the harvest, and ageing must include two years in oak.
What is Brunello’s maximum yield?
54hL/ha
Name a significant producer of Brunello di Montalcino
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 is Nobile’s maximum yield?
56hL/ha
What are the ageing requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano? (2)
1) A minimum of two years from 1 January after the vintage
2) 12-24 months in oak depending on subsequent bottle age
What are the ageing requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva?
Three years (but no additional requirement for ageing in oak)
Name a significant producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Contucci.
What is the less expensive, earlier released version of Nobile?
Rosso di Montepuliano (released approx 6 months after harvest)
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 (within Maremma Toscana)
2) A warm area is moderated by altitude (average 250m) and cooling winds from the sea at night
Describe the growing conditions of Bolgheri (2)
1) A warm climate, with cool nights due to the area’s proximity to the sea
2) 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.
Is irrigation permitted in Tuscany?
Yes
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 eg 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.