Central Italy Flashcards
What in the wine world is most associated with Central Italy?
This part of Italy is most widely associated with Sangiovese and Chianti.
What are the regions of Central Italy?
The regions of Central Italy are (1) Tuscany, (2) Umbria, (3) Lazio, (4) Marche.
What is the overall climate of Central Italy and what moderating influences are there?
Central Italy has the Apennine Mountains to the north, which run along the Italian Peninsula. Grapes are planted in the hills and valleys of this mountain range with altitude and a moderating influence for what is otherwise a hot climate. Coastal regions on both sides of the country benefit from cooling sea breezes.
What is the location of Tuscany in Central Italy?
Tuscany stretches down the western coast of the central area.
How is Tuscany categorized/divided?
Tuscany is divided into 3 regions (1) mountainous Chianti, (2) Southern Tuscany, and (3) The Coast.
Describe the grape Sangiovese in Tuscany.
Sangiovese is dominant with high levels of acidity and tannin. It is a late ripen and needs a warm climate. The characteristics are red cherry, red plum, and dried herbs.
Describe the aging of Sangiovese in Tuscany.
Sangiovese in Tuscany is aged in oak to soften tannins and add a spicy flavor. Small and large casks can be used, and bottle aging adds a dimension of meaty and gamey aromas.
Where is Chianti located within Tuscany?
Chianti is in the foothills of the Apennines between Pisa, Florence, and Siena. It covers 7 sub regions.
What is the labelling in Chianti?
(1) Chianti Classico DOCG is not a sub zone of the generic Chianti region. Its vineyards are higher in altitude than Chianti, which slows the ripening process by bringing down the temperature, resulting in wines wiwth high acidity and herbal aromas. Chianti Classico must be aged for 12 months before release. (2) Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG must be aged for 24 months of which at least 3 months must be in bottle. Chianti Classico Riserva Gran Selezione is the highest designation for Chianti Classico and must be sourced from a single estate and age 18 months. Winemakers make aging decisions beyond these regulations.
Where is Southern Tuscany located within Tuscany?
The vineyards of Southern Tuscany are at lower altitudes than those in the north and have a warmer climate, however they have cooling breezes from the seas as a moderating influence.
What DOCGs are well known in southern Tuscany?
(1) Brunello di Montalcino, intense full bodied wine (2) Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG are often more intense than Chianti/Sangiovese.
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
The aging requirements for (1) Brunello are 100% Sangiovese aged for 5 years before release with 2 years in oak and (2) Vino Nobile of Montepulciano can be blended and must be aged for a minimum of 2 years before it is sold. Declassification can be acheived through labelling in a poor vintage and the wines would be called Rosso di Montalcino DOC or Rosso di Montepulciano DOC.
What type of grapes/wine/labelling are produced on the coast of Tuscany?
The coast of Tuscany produces black Bordeaux varieties and are the birth place of Super Tuscans. The original wine was Cabernet Sauvignon and sold for a premium even though the region is not PDO eligible. Super Tuscans took Italian wines to the international market. These Super Tuscans are bottled/labelled as Toscana IGT, Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC permitting wines to be made from non-Italian grape varieties.
Where in Central Italy is Umbria and what is the climate?
Umbria is located in the middle of Central Italy and has a climate similar to Tuscany’s but it is more continental without influence from the Mediterranean.
What style wine does Umbria produce and what is the labelling?
(1) Umbria is a white wine region with wines light in body and medium to high acidity. The flavors are ripe grapefruit and peach. The region is known for its Grechetto and Trebbiano blend called Orvieto DOC. (2) The most prestigious wine is red and is the thick skinned Sagrantino grape called Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG.
