Central and Southern Italy Flashcards
When was the first vintage of Sassicaia and who created it?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta, who released the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia in 1968.
Who is Piero Antinori and what is his wine?
Nephew of Marquis Mario Rocchetta, his wine is Tignanello
How much wine does Tuscany produce annually and how much is at DOC/DOCG level?
3 MIllion Hectoliters, 45%
Climate of Tuscany
Although Tuscany as a whole enjoys a dry, maritime-influenced climate, winters can be harsh and summers can be long and hot.
Climate and Location of Montalcino
Arid, Southern Province of Siena
Climate and Location of Montepulciano
Further inland, more continental
Main red grape of Tuscany
Sangiovese
Describe Sangiovese
Typically, Sangiovese wines are light in color, naturally high in acidity, firmly tannic, and medium- to full-bodied. Sour cherry notes and herbal undertones are common.
Sangiovese DOCGs in Tuscany
Chianti Chianti Classico Carmignano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Morellino di Scansano Montecucco Sangiovese Brunello di Montalcino (100% Sangiovese)
8 Subzones of Chianti
Rufina (Firenze) Colli Fiorentini (Firenze) Montespertoli (Firenze) Montalbano (Prato, Pistoia, Firenze) Colli Senesi (Siena) Colli Aretini (Arezzo) Colline Pisane (Pisa) Classico
Blending Requirements Chianti
70-100% Sangiovese
Maximum 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana
Maximum 10% white grapes
Maximum 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Blending Requirements Chianti Classico
80-100% Sangiovese
Maximum 20% other red grapes authorized by Siena and Firenze (i.e. Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
As of the 2006 vintage, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco are no longer allowed
Two native grapes other than Sangiovese important in Tuscan wine production
Canaiolo and Colorino
White grape gaining traction in Maremma
Vermentino
Year Chianti was elevated to DOCG
1984
Firm dominating Rufina
Frescobaldi
Only two producers in Pomino DOC within Rufina
Frescobaldi, Fattoria Selvapiana
What is Pomino DOC?
Within Rufina it allows a higher percentage of international varietals as well as a number of varietal bottling
Who is credited with creating the Chianti Recipe and when?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
When was the general recipe for Chianti updated?
1996
Which subzone of Chianti requires a minimum of 75% Sangiovese?
Colli Senesi
Which two white grapes are allowed in Chianti?
Trebbiano Toscana and Malvasia
What is governo?
refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation, must be put on label, most quality minded producers avoid
When may Chianti normale be release?
March 1st of year following harvest
Which Chianti Subzones require additional aging?
Florentine subzones of Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini
How much aging is required for Chianti Riserva?
2 years
What is Chianti Superiore?
Extra half degree of alcohol and lowered vineyard yields
Four villages in Chianti Classico
Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve
Two soil types of Chianti Classico
soft, friable, marl-like galestro and alberese, or sandstone
As of what vintage are white grapes no longer allowed to be blended into Chianti Classico?
2006
Aging Requirement for Chianti Classico
1 year
Aging Requirement for Chianti Classico Riserva
24 months
Aging Requirement for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Gran Selezione wines—a new category introduced in 2013—must be aged for at least 30 months prior to release. Barrique is often the wood vessel of choice for aging riserva Chianti Classico.
Who is Clemente Santi?
Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi with the invention of the Brunello style, as the producer was the first to isolate the Brunello clone and bottle it alone in 1865. Biondi-Santi’s reputation and the style were immortalized shortly thereafter, with the release of the Brunello Riserva 1888
Which Chianti Subzone does the hill of Montalcino overlap?
Senesi
Clone of Brunello
Sangiovese Grosso aka Brunello
Minimum aging for Brunello
2 years in cask additional 4 months in bottle, may not be released until 5th year after harvest
Minimum aging for Brunello Riserva
2 years in cask, additional 6 months in bottle, may not be released until 6th year after harvest
What soil characterizes higher altitude vineyards in Montalcino?
Galestro
What soil is predominant in warmer subregions of Montalcino?
Clay
Two examples of modern producers using smaller barrels and shorter macerations
Casanova di Neri
Mastrojanni
Three examples of traditional Brunello Producers
Biondi-Santi
Talenti
Soldera
Aging Requirements for Rosso di Montalcino
1 year no oak required
What is Sant’Antimo DOC?
Created in 1996, provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super-Tuscan” wines. Any grape authorized in Tuscany may be utilized for Sant’Antimo DOC, and the wines may be either red or white.created in 1996, provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super-Tuscan” wines. Any grape authorized in Tuscany may be utilized for Sant’Antimo DOC, and the wines may be either red or white.
Clone of Sangiovese in Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG
Prugnolo Gentile
Blend of Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG
Minimum 70% Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile)
Maximum 30% combined other red and white authorized grapes of Tuscany (maximum 5% of non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga)
Aging for VNdM
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, with the following options:
24 months in wood
Minimum 18 months in wood plus 6 months in an alternative container
Minimum 12 months in wood and a minimum 6 months in bottle, with the remainder in an alternative container
Riserva: Minimum 3 years aging, including at least 6 months in bottle, from January 1 of the year following the harvest
Where is Morellino di Scansano DOCG?
Coastal Tuscany, Southern Maremma
Blend of Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Minimum 85% Sangiovese (locally known as Morellino)
Maximum 15% other red varieties authorized by the province of Grosseto
Blend of Carmignano DOCG
Minimum 50% Sangiovese
10-20% combined Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon
Maximum 20% Canaiolo Nero
Maximum 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo Bianco
Maximum 10% combined other red varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana (i.e. Merlot, Syrah)
DOCG of Elba
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Aleatico
Red skinned possible mutation of Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Only white wine DOCG in Tuscany
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Two Grapes of Orvieto DOC
Grechetto and Trebbiano Toscano
Red Wine DOC within Orvieto
Lago di Corbara DOC
Two red wine DOCGs of Umbria
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG
Blend of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
100% Sagrantino
Aging of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
minimum 37 months, including 12 months in wood for the dry wines
Traditional expression of Sagrantino
Passito, dry Sagrantino is a relatively new idea
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG Blend
70-100% Sangiovese
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG Aging
minimum three years of aging prior to release—including six months in bottle