Central Italy Flashcards
What two geographic features is Tuscany situated between?
Mediterranean Sea
Apennine Mountains
What is Tuscany’s climate type?
Warm Mediterranean with adequate rainfall
What is the main grape of Tuscany?
Sangiovese
Why is Cabernet Sauvignon often used in Tuscany?
To add color and power to Sangiovese
Why is Canaiolo often used in Tuscany?
It promotes the floral and red-berried character of Sangiovese when blended with that grape
What is the most planted red varietal in Italy?
Sangiovese
What is the principal red grape of Chianti DOCG? Other grapes? Minimum and Maximums?
Sangiovese - 70%
Cab Sauv and/or Cab Franc cannot exceed 15%;
10% can be white grapes!
What is the principal red grape of Chianti Classico DOCG?
What is the minimum? What other grapes are allowed?
Sangiovese - min 80%. Most are 90%.
Others can be 10% each (e.g., Canaiolo or Merlot).
NO WHITES.
What is the principal red grape of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
What is the minimum % of that grape?
Sangiovese - min 70%
What is the only red grape allowed in Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Sangiovese - 100%
What are the primary grapes of Tuscany?
Sangiovese
Trebbiano
Merlot
Cabernet Sauvignon
Canaiolo Nero
What is the main white grape of San Gimignano?
Vernaccia di San Gimignana
When was Chianti elevated to DOCG?
1984
Name two subzones of Chianti DOCG
Chiani Rùfina DOCG
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
What white grapes are permitted for blending in Chianti DOCG wines?
Trebbiano Toscano
Malvasia
What is the general aging requirement for Chianti DOCG?
What about Riserva?
Any oak requirements?
March 1 of the year after harvest;
Chianti DOCG Riserva must be aged two years, no oak required.
No oak ageing required for Chianti DOCG but some subzones require 6 mos in oak.
What is the general aging requirement for Chianti DOCG Riserva?
What if it’s a subzone Riserva?
Two years of ageing; no oak requirements
Two years; six months in oak.
When was Chianti Classico declared an autonomous DOCG (not a subzone)?
1996
What are the two most common soil types of Chianti Classico DOCG?
Galestro - schistous, crumbly rock with clay and marl
Alberese - calcareous soils with clay
What percentage of Chianti Classico DOCG wines must be Sangiovese?
Minimum 80%
What does Gran Selezione mean in Chianti Classico DOCG?
Wine produced from estate fruit
Minimum 30 months of aging; no oak required
What is the common wood vessel used to age Chianti Classico DOCG wines?
It was French barriques but now returning to large format oak casks (“botti”) and tonneaux.
In which country and region is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is the only grape used in Brunello di Montalcino DOCG wines?
Sangiovese aka Brunello
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino wines?
Jan 1, 5 years after harvest; 2 years in oak
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wines?
Jan 1, 6 years after harvest; 2 years in oak
What soil type is found in higher altitude vineyards of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Galestro (similar to marl)
What soil type is common in the southern areas of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Clay
In which country and region is Rosso di Montalcino DOC located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is the only grape used in Rosso di Montalcino DOC wines?
Sangiovese aka Brunello
What is the difference between wines from Rosso di Montalcino DOC and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
- Same geographic area.
- Rosso only requires one year of aging and no cask requirement.
- Typically comes from younger vines or less promising sites.
In which country and region is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is the aging requirement for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG wines?
Jan 1, 2 years after harvest; 1-2 years in oak
What is the aging requirement for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG wines?
Jan 1, 3 years after harvest; 1-2 years in oak
In which country and region is Morellino di Scansano DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is a Super-Tuscan? Provide some history / context.
A wine made in Tuscany in the style of Bordeaux wines.
They did not conform to DOC/DOCG standards and were labeled “vino da tavola.” When an IGT was created, they were labeled as that.
They began and mostly come from Bolgheri DOC and Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC (a single-estate DOC). Those were created in 1994.
Why was the IGT classification created and when?
To elevate Super-Tuscan wines out of the vino da tavola category in 1992
In which country and region is Bolgheri DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
In which country and region is Bolgheri Sassicaia DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is the only true monopole DOC in Italy?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
In which country and region is Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG located?
Italy
Tuscany
What is the primary grape used in wines from Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?
Vernaccia
What is vin santo?
A high alcohol wine commonly found in Tuscany
Can be either dry or sweet
Trebbiano Toscana is an important part of the blend –> high acidity
What are the primary grapes used to make vin santo?
Trebbiano Toscana
Malvasia
What is the max yield for Chianti DOCG? Chianti Classico DOCG?
63 hL/ha for Chianti;
52.5 hL/ha for Chianti Classico
What is the max yield for most of the Chianti subzones?
56 hL/ha
What is the max yield for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG & Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
54 hL/ha and 56 hL/ha –> Mid 50s!
Dry tasting note of Chianti DOCG
Med ruby
high acidity
med to high tannins
med alcohol,
med body,
light to medium flavor intensity
Red cherry, red plum, herbal - maybe sour cherry,
acceptable to very good,
inexpensive to mid-priced.
Dry tasting note of Chianti Classico DOCG or the main differences from Chianti DOCG
Some have pronounced intensity; very good to outstanding; mid-priced to premium
How did the style of Chiantis change in the 1980s? Where is it now?
When the Super Tuscans came out in the 1980s, Chianti went more heavy / Bordeaux-influenced by adding lots of Merlot & CS
Now back to more authentic Sangiovese character with sour cherry and lighter.
How are Chianti subzones tasting notes different than Chianti DOCG?
Each is different - some are rounder & fuller; others are more restrained but can age longer.
The yields are lower –> greater concentration.
Subzone Riservas require 6 months in oak.
How is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG different than Chianti DOCG as a climate? Impact on wine?
In general, the area is warmer than Chianti Classico and drier.
Cooling breezes from Mediterranean still provides cooling at night to preserve adicity.
Intense sour cherry fruit,
high acidity
high tannin (ageable)
shows complexity, even on release, due to the tertiary notes developed in the long, initial ageing.
How is the climate of Montepulciano different than Chianti? What is the impact on the wines?.
Traditionally, the wines were full bodied and austere, requiring ageing in the bottle. However, some major companies have been working to produce wines that can be drunk in their youth; methods include shorter extraction periods and the use of small format French oak for maturation.
How do wines from galestro vs alberese differ?
Galestro-based wines are more aromatic with potential to age; alberese-based wines are more structured with more body.
What % of wines in Tuscany are DOC(G)?
65%
What is the highest selling red wine in Italy by volume & value? What are its formats?
Chianti DOCG; sold in 750ml and also 500ml and 1L bricks
How much does Chianti Classico export and to where?
80 per cent of its production, with the main markets being the USA (largest single market at 33 per cent of all production),
– more more than Germany and Canada, #2 & #3.
How much does Montalcino export and to where?
70 per cent by value,
USA and Canada are the main markets
How much does Montepulciano export and to where?
nearly 80 per cent of Montepulciano is exported,
Germany, the USA and Switzerland are largest markets
How much does Chianti DOCG export and to where?
Just under 70 per cent of Chianti DOCG wine is exported, mostly at low prices.
Largest markets are Germany followed by USA and UK.
