28. Central Italy Flashcards
Describe the climate and geography of central Italy.
Hot climate
- dominated by the Apennine Mountains
- vineyards are in the hills and valleys
- altitude and coast regions on both sides provide a moderating influence
Where is Tuscany located? What are the three distinct geographical regions of Tuscany?
- Western coast of Central Italy
1. Mountainous Chianti region in the north
2. Hills & Valleys to the South
3. Flat coastal plain
What is the dominant grape of Tuscany? Describe the wines.
Sangiovese
- high acid
- high tannin
- late ripening (needs warm climate)
- red cherries, plums, dried herbs
- typically aged in oak to soften the tannins, add spicy flavors (small barrels and casks)
- bottle age: meaty, gamey aromas
-mostly red wines, some white
Where is Chianti located?
- foothills of the Apennines
- between Pisa, Florence, and Siena
- wide area
- divided into 7 sub-zones
What is the dominate grape of Chianti? Is it typically a varietal wine or a blend?
Sangiovese
-often blended with small amounts of other black grapes (French and Italian origin)
What does it mean if Chianti DOCG is on the label?
Grapes sourced from all over greater Chianti region
- large production volume
- typically lower quality
Where are higher quality Chianti grapes sourced from? How is that reflected on the label? Give 2 examples.
- Grapes sourced from specific sub-zone
- Name appears on the label:
1. Chianti Rufina DOCG
2. Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
How does Chianti Classico DOCG differ from Chianti DOCG? How do the wines differ?
- Not a sub zone of Chianti
- Own DOCG
- More requirements
- Vineyards are at higher altitudes (slows ripening)
- Higher acidity
- more herbal aromas
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG?
-12 Months before being released on the market
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
- 24 Months before being released on the market
- At least 3 months of bottle aging
What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico? Describe the requirements
Gran Selezione
- grapes must be sourced from a single estate
- wines aged for 6 months longer than Riserva (30 months)
- no requirements for oak aging but most producers do
What are the major regions in Southern Tuscany? How does the climate and geography differ from northern Tuscany?
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
- Lower altitudes
- Warmer climate
- Cool maritime breezes can moderate
Describe the wines of Southern Tuscany.
- more intense
- more fuller bodied
Describe the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
- must be 100% Sangiovese
- min aging 5 years, 2 in oak
Describe the wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
- can be a blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieties
- min aging 2 years
If wines are very young or come from a poor vintage, what might Brunello and Vino Nobile producer do? What are these wines called?
Declassify their wines to DOC
- Rosso di Montalcino DOC
- Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Describe the climate of the Tuscan coast. What grape varieties are grown here?
- cooled by sea breezes
- flat
- black Bordeaux varieties
- Super Tuscan
What is a Super Tuscan? Why are they important in Italy’s wine history?
- originally made from Cabernet Sauvignon
- sold for premium price despite not being PDO status
- turning point for the international image of Italian wines
- reestablished Italy’s reputation for excellence
- trend of producing high-quality wines from international varieties, sometimes with native varieties as part of the blend
How are many Super Tuscans labeled today? What grapes do they typically contain?
- Toscana IGT
- Bolgheri DOC
- Maremma Toscana DOC
-Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
Describe the climate of Umbria.
Continental
- inland
- no moderating breeze from the Mediterranean
What white wine is Umbria known for? Describe the wines. What varieties? How are they made?
Orvieto DOC
- white wine
- blend of Grechetto, Trebbiano, and often local varieties
- light body
- medium to high acidity
- ripe grapefruit, peaches
- best wines are mostly Grechetto
- made protectively in temp controlled stainless steel
What red wine is Umbria known for?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
-made from the thick-skinned Sagrantino grape
Where is Lazio? What is the major DOC in Lazio?
South of Tuscany
- Frascati DOC
- in the hills
- south of Rome
- cooled by altitude and nearby lakes
What grapes are grown in Frascati DOC? Describe the wines.
- Malvasia, Trebbiano
- fresh unoaked style
- medium body
- medium to high acidity
- citrus fruit
- Malvasia: floral, orange blossom
