Central Italy Flashcards
Historical moments in Tuscany?
Sharecropping - ended after WWII
Sassicaia 1968 and Tignanello 1971 - birth of Super Tuscans
Chianti CLassico - became DOCG in 1996
Climate of Tuscany?
Warm Mediterranean
Adequate rainfall
Altitude cools inland areas
Spring frost, summer draught, hail, and harvest-time rain are concerns
Esca/boars
Describe Sangiovese profile:
Red cherry, red plum, herbal
Medium-full body
High acid
High tannins
Describe Sangiovese:
Most planted variety in Italy (10%)
Difficult to grow
Buds early
Ripens late
Vigorous/high yields
Very susceptible to botrytis
Needs sunny south/SE slopes
Likes high draining soils (limestone, shale)
Cordons with spurs or cane-pruned VSP
Describe Trebbiano Toscano:
Late budding
Vigorous, high yields
Prone to downy mildew and eutypa dieback
AKA Ugni Blanc
High acid, neutral
Winemaking for Chianti?
7-10 day maceration for early drinking
15-25 days for aging wines
Temperature controlled tanks
Large oak barrels common - let sour cherry be the dominant note
Describe Chianti DOCG:
70%+ Sangiovese
15% max: Cab Sauv and/or Cab Franc
10% max: Trebbiano (rare)
Min. 11.5% ABV
63hL/ha
No oak required; Riserva = 2 years age
Subzones of Chianti:
Seven named subzones
Chianti Rufina DOCG - coolest
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG - largest, warmer
Describe Chianti Classico DOCG:
Higher elevation
Galestro soils (Schist, clay, marl)
Alberese soils (Calcareous with clay)
Min. 80% Sangiovese
No white varieties
52.5hL/ha
Top tier Chianti Classico?
2013 - Chianti Classico Gran Selezione added by Consorzio
Single vineyard or single estate
Min. 30 months aging (no wood req)
Describe Brunello di Montalcino DOCG:
1865 - Biondi-Santi sold first Brunello
Warmer/drier than Chianti Classico
Adequate rainfall
Galestro (N) and clay (S)
100% Sangiovese
54hL/ha
Brunello aging requirements:
Jan 1st 5 years after harvest
- 2 years in oak
Riserva: 6 years
Describe Brunello profile:
Intense sour cherry
High acid
High tannin
Complexity - tertiary upon release due to extended aging
Describe Rosso di Montalcino DOC:
100% Sangiovese
Young vines or lesser sites within Brunello
Can include declassified Brunellos in difficult years
Describe Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG:
Southeastern Tuscany
Heavy clay soils or sandy soils
Min. 70% Sangiovese
56hL/ha
Min 2 years aging (rel Jan 1), min 1 year in oak
Riserva: 3 years
Describe Morellino de Scansano DOCG:
Southern Tuscany - warm but cooling winds
Min. 85% Sangiovese
63hL/ha
Varietals for Bolgheri DOC:
Up to 100%: Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot
Up to 50%: Syrah, Sangiovese
Up to 30% Petit Verdot, others
Cab Sauv dominates region
Vermentino for whites
Describe Bolgheri DOC:
Tuscan coast - warm days, cool nights
63hL/ha
Superiore:
56hL/ha
2 years aging, 1 in oak
Describe Bolgheri Rosso Superiore profile:
Deep ruby
Medium +/Pronounced intensity
Blackberry, red plum, green pepper (cool years), vanilla, sweet spice
High tannins
Med+ acid
Describe Sassicaia:
Has it’s own DOC - Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC for Tenuta San Guido
Min. 80% Cab Sauv
2 years aging, 18 mo in 225L oak