Central and Southern Italy Flashcards
When was the Chianti zone first delimited?
1716
What is the name for the straw-covered squat bottle sometimes used in Tuscany?
Fiasco
When was Sassicaia first released?
1968
Who was the man behind Sassicaia?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta
Who was the man behind Tignanello?
Piero Antinori
What is the relationship between Mario Rocchetta (Sassicaia) & Piero Antinori (Tignanello)?
Piero was Mario’s nephew
How many hectoliters of wine does Tuscany produce?
2.7 million hl
What % of wine in Tuscany is DOC/DOCG level?
60%
How many DOCGs are in Tuscany?
11
What is Italy’s most planted red variety?
Sangiovese
Name 3 Sangiovese Clones
Brunello Clone/Sangiovese Grosso (Montalcino)
Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano)
Morellino Clone
What are the 2 native red grapes that may be blended with Sangiovese in Chianti
Colorino
Canaiolo Nero
What is Italy’s most planted white variety?
Trebbiano Toscano
What is commonly blended with Trebbiano Toscano?
Malvasia
Where is Vernaccia typically confined to in Tuscany?
San Gimignano
Where is Vermentino finding promise in Tuscany?
In the coastal vineyards of Maremma
What % of Tuscan wine is red?
85%
When was Chianti elevated to DOCG?
1984
When were the limits of modern day Chianti established?
1932
How many subzones are within Chianti?
7
What are the 8 subzones of Chianti?
Classico
Rufina
Montalbano
Montespertoli
Colli Fiorentini
Colli Senesi
Colli Aretini
Collines Pisane
Other than Classico, which Chianti subzone is considered the most consistant in quality?
Chianti Rufina
Which producer dominates the Chianti Rufina zone?
the Frescobaldi firm
What is the subzone within Rufina?
Pomino DOC
Who are the only 2 producers in Pomino DOC?
Frescobaldi
Fattoria Selvapiana
Who is credited for defining the classic blend of Chianti?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
What % of Sangiovese is required for Chianti DOCG?
70-100%
What is the minimum % of Sangiovese for Chianti Colli Senesi?
min 75%
What are the 2 white grapes were commonly blended with Sangiovese
Trebbiano Toscano
Malvasia
What is the max. % of Cabernet Sauvignon allowed in Chianti?
max 15%
What is the max. % of Cabernet Sauvignon is allowed in Chianti Colli Senesi?
max. 10%
What does governo all’uso Toscano mean on a label?
traditional practice of fermenting a wine with the juice of dried grapes to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation
When may Chianti normale be released?
March 1st after harvest
Which Chianti subzones require longer aging?
Rufina
Montespertoli
Colli Fiorentini
How many years of aging does Chianti Riserva require?
2 years
What are the 2 differences between Chianti Riserva vs Superiore?
1/2 degree more alcohol
lowered vineyard yields
When was Chianti Classico upgraded to DOCG?
1984
What are the 4 original villages of Chianti Classico?
Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve
What are the 2 main soil types of Tuscany?
galestro (marl)
alberese (sandstone)
What soil does Sangiovese prefer?
Galestro
What is the min. % of Sangiovese required for Chianti Classico?
80%
What year were white varieties not allowed in permitted in Chianti Classico wines?
2006
What is the min. alcohol level for Chianti Classico vs Chianti normale?
Classico: 12%
Chianti Normale: 11.5%
When may Chianti Classico be released?
October 1st of the year following harvest
What is the aging requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva?
min. 24 months
with at least 3 months in bottle
What is the minimum alcohol level for Chianti Classico Riserva?
12.5%
When was the Gran Selezione catagory created in Chianti Classico?
2014
What are the requirements for the Gran Selezione (Chianti Classico)?
estate grown grapes
min. 30 months before release with 3 months in bottle
min. abv of 13%
What is the aging vessel of choice for Chianti Classico Riserva?
Barrique
Who is credited for inventing the Brunello style?
Clemente Santi of Biondi-Santi