Central Italy Flashcards
What are considered the 5 regions of Central Italy?
Tuscany Umbria Emelia-Romangna The Marche Lazio
What geographical features define Central Italy?
The Apennine Mountains, which make altitude an important part of where grapes are grown.
When was Sassicaia first made?
What grapes are used?
By what producer?
What enologist was hired to refine it?
1968
Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Cab Franc
Tenuta San Guido
Giacomo Tachis
Of the four major Malvasias in Central Italy, what is each and where would you find it?
Malvasia Bianca Lunga - Tuscany, part of Chianti Blend and vin santo
Malvasia del Lazio - Lazio for Frascati, esp.
Malvasia Bianca di Candia - Lazio for Frascati, esp.
Malvasia Bianca di Candia Aromatica - Emilia-Romagna
What are the 3 most important Lambrusco varieties and their characteristics?
Lambrusco di Sorbara - lightest, most floral
Lambrusco Grasparossa - Tannic and structured
Lambrusco Salamino - Happy medium
All are associated with the province of Modena
What is Italy’s most planted grape?
Sangiovese
What was poured into Chianti bottles to protect them from oxidation?
Olive oil
Who developed the “formula” for modern Chianti? What did that formula entail?
Barone Bettino Ricasoli of Castello di Brolio
It established Sangiovese as the dominant grape, and moved the more popular Canaiolo into a supporting role.
Adding Malvasia Bianca Lunga was also suggested for younger drinking reds.
What is the “Gallo Nero?”
The black rooster of Chianti Classico fame
What are the sub-zones of Chianti?
Which was most recently added?
Chianti Rufina Chianti Colli Fiorentini Chianti Montespertoli (1997) Chianti Montalbano Chianti Colli Senesi Chianti Colli Aretini Chianti Colline Pisane
In what year was Chianti granted DOC status?
In what year was Chianti granted DOCG status?
In what year was Chianti Classico granted DOCG status separate from Chianti?
1967
1984
1996
What are some notable monovarietal Sangiovese based wines that were designated Vino da Tavola?
Isole e Olena “Cepparello”
Fontodi “Flaccianello della Pieve”
Felsina “Fontalloro”
Montevertine “Le Pergole Torte”
All continue to be bottled as IGT
Are white wine grapes allowed in the production of Chianti Classico?
No
What percentage of French varieties is allowed in Chianti Classico?
When was that figure last changed?
20%
2000
What are some geographical features that define Chianti Rufina?
Proximity to the Sieve River
Closer to the Apennine Mountains than the rest of Chianti
Most Northerly subzone
What are the most notable producers of Chianti Rufina?
Selvapiana
Frescobaldi
What are the most important soil types of Chianti Classico?
Galestro: schistic clay
Alberese: Marl, similar to limestone
Macigno: Gray-blue sandstone
What subzone of Chianti has the highest average elevation?
Radda, at above 650m
What are the minimum Sangiovese requirements for Chianti?
For Chianti Classico?
70%
80%
What other indigenous red grapes are used for Chianti blends?
Canaiolo Colorino Ciliegiolo Malvasia Nera Mammolo
What percentage of white grapes may be used in the production of Chianti?
10%
What is the “governo” technique? Where is it used and for what purpose?
The addition of partially dried grapes to fermentation
Chianti DOCG
Traditionally used to fix stuck fermentation.
Wines must be labeled “Governo all’uso Toscano”
What are the aging requirements of Chianti?
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Classico
Normale: March 1 following harvest
Superiore: September 1 following harvest
Riserva: January 1 after 2 years
Chianti Classico: October 1 following harvest
Riserva: 2 years, 3 months in bottle
Gran Selezione: 30 months aging, 3 months in bottle
When was Chianti Classico “Gran Selezione” introduced?
2013
It was retroactively applied to wines from 2010
What was Montalcino’s initial claim to fame?
White Moscadello wines, popular as far back as the Renaissance
Who is credited with inventing the category of Brunello?
Clemente Santi of Biondi-Santi
What are some features of Slavonian Oak that distinguish it?
The wood is especially compact and tightly grained.
Barrels also tend to be larger, 500L to 1000L, which reduces wine to wood contact.
Traditionally, barrels are also used for longer periods of time.
What are some of the longest running producers of Brunello di Montalcino?
Fattoria dei Barbi
Fattoria di Argiano
Fattoria di Sant’Angelo
(Divided now into Il Poggione and Col d’Orcia)
When was Brunello granted DOC status?
When was Brunello granted DOCG status?
1966
1980: it was Italy’s first DOCG
What notable consulting winemaker in Brunello has helped shape winemaking in broader Tuscany with his palate?
Giulio Gambelli
When was Castello Banfi established?
1978
In what year did Brunellogate erupt?
What vintage was it related to?
2008
2003
What is Italy’s most expensive wine on average?
Brunello di Montalcino
What are the aging requirements for wines from Montalcino?
Rosso: September 1 of year after harvest
Brunello: 5 years total (2 years in wood, 4 months in bottle)
Riserva: 6 years total (2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle)
What other DOCs share the boundaries of Brunello di Montalcino?
Moscadello di Montalcino (Il Poggione still produces this)
Sant’Antimo (exists mainly to allow the use of international varietals)
What notable producers led the push to quality for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Avignonesi
Poliziano
When was Vino Nobile di Montepulciano granted DOC status?
DOCG status?
1966
1980
The same years as Brunello di Montalcino
What are the aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Rosso: March 1 of following year
Vino Nobile: 2 years in any of the following manner
-24 months oak
-18 months oak, 6 other vessel
-12 months oak, 6 bottle
Riserva: 3 years (min. 6 months in bottle)
What is the minimum amount of Sangiovese that must be used for Vino Nobile?
70%
What are the separate appellations for Vin Santo?
Vin Santo del/di:
Chianti Classico DOC
Chianti DOC
Carmignano DOC
Montepulciano DOC
What is a “madre” in vin santo production?
A sludgy mass of yeast and old wine used to induce fermentation.
What was Italy’s first DOC?
When was it awarded?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
1966
What is the blend used for Sassicaia?
85% Cabernet Sauvginon
15% Cabernet Franc
What event made viticulture in Maremma DOC possible?
Mussolini drained the swamp in the mid-1930s.
What are the varietal requirements for Offida DOCG?
White: 85% Passerina or Pecorino
Red: 85% Montepulciano
What DOCGs are there in Abruzzo?
Terre Tollesi / Tullum DOCG: (Pecorino, Passerina, Montepulciano)
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG: (min. 90% Montepulciano)
What are the DOCs for Vin Santo in Tuscany?
What are aging requirements?
Vin Santo del Chianti
-3 years/4 years
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico
-3 years (24 months in wood)/No Riserva
Vin Santo di Carmignano
-3 years/4 years
Vin Santo di Montepulciano
-3 years/4 years/6 years (Occhio di Pernice)
What Occhio di Pernice DOC mandates the highest percentage of Sangiovese?
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
80%
All the others mandate min. 50%
What is the DOCG of Elba and what is it devoted to?
Elba Aleatico Passito
min. 10 days of air drying, and 12% ABV (19 potential)
What estate has it’s own DOC within Bolgheri?
Sassicaia
What producer located within Morellino di Scansano DOC is known for producing Bordeaux blends? Who helped them produce the wine?
What are their cuvees of note?
Fattoria Le Pupille
Giacomo Tachis
Saffredi - Bordeaux Blend
Le Pupille - 100% Syrah (and more expensive)
What was the first wine region in the world to be delimited? When?
What villages were included?
Chianti
1716
Radda, Gaiole, Castellina
Who makes Tignanello?
What was the first vintage?
What makes it special?
Antinori
1971
It was the first wine to combine Sangiovese (80%) with Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. It is from a single-vineyard, 350-400m high, on limestone rich soils facing southwest.
Solaia is their other offering, 75% Cab Sauv, 20% Sangiovese.
What are some other estates owned by Antinori?
Pian delle Vigne - Montalcino
Guado al Tasso - Bolgheri
Antica - Napa Valley
What are the elevation requirements for Vino Nobile Vineyards?
250-600 meters
Alliance Vinum was founded when, by who, and for what?
2017
Avignonesi, Boscarelli, Dei, La Braccesca, Polziano, and Salchetto in Vino Nobile joined together to promote all Sangiovese wines.
What grapes are traditionally used for the production of Vin Santo?
Malvasia Bianca
Grechetto Bianco
Trebbiano Toscano
What are the styles and varietal requirements of Montefalco DOC?
Bianco: min. 50% Trebbiano Spoletino
Grechetto: min. 85% Grechetto
Rosso: min. 60-80% Sangiovese, min. 10-25% Sagrantino
Rosso Riserva: Same as Rosso
What are the aging requirements of Montefalco Rosso/Riserva DOC?
What are the aging requirements of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG?
Montefalco Rosso: 18 months
Montefalco Rosso Riserva: 30 months, 12 in wood
Montefalco Sagrantino: 37 months, 12 in wood, 4 in bottle
What is the minimum ABV of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG?
What are the RS requirements of Montefalco Sagrantino Passito?
13% (13.5% with Vigna designation)
Passito: 80-180 g/l RS
What are the varietal requirements of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG?
100% Sagrantino
Who are some notable producers of Montefalco Sagrantino?
Paolo Bea
-“Cerrete”
Arnaldo Caprai
-“25 Anniversario”
Fongoli
What are the varietal requirements of Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?
What are the aging requirements?
Who is a notable producer?
min. 70% Sangiovese
min. 3 years, 6 months in bottle
Lungarotti
-“Rubesco Vigna Monticchio”
What styles of Orvieto may be produced?
Secco, Abboccato, Amabile, Dolce, Superiore, Vendemmia Tardiva, Muffa Nobile
What are the Varietal requirements for Orvieto DOC?
min. 60% Trebbiano Toscano and Grechetto
Who is a quality producer of Orvieto? What is a special bottle they make?
Barberani
“Luigi e Giovanna” is a dry wine made with botrytized grapes
What are the varietal requirements of Carmignano DOCG?
What are the aging requirements?
Min. 50% Sangiovese, 10-20% Cab Franc and Cab Sauv
Max. 20% Canaiolo, max 10% White grapes, max. 10% other red grapes
Normale: 8 months in wood, June 1 of the 2nd year
Riserva: 12 months in wood, Sept. 29 of 3rd year (Feast of St. Michael).
What is Vernaccia di Serrapetrona? Where is it made? How is it made?
It is a sparkling red wine from Marche made from 85% Vernaccia Nera grapes. It is usually sweet or semi-sweet.
It undergoes 3 fermentations, the second using 40% rasinated grapes, the final to attain its sparkle.
