Central Italy Flashcards
Tuscany can generally be split into 3 areas. Describe each.
The northern part
・Mountainous and hilly
; this is where Chianti is.
The southern part
・Lower altitude hills and valleys
・Warmer than the northern part
= Wines can be more intense and fuller
・Cool maritime breezes from the south-west can moderate the temperatures.
; this is where Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is.
The coast
・Flat terrain that’s
・Cooled by sea breezes
; this is where Bolgheri is.
In Tuscany, ___ help provide coolness.
Altitude and sea breezes
Dominant grape variety in these three parts.
4,5,7,8,9
Sangiovese
4 High acidity
5 High tannin
7 Red cherries, plums and dried herbs, spicy flavours from oak.
8 With bottle age the wines develop meaty and gamey aromas.
9 Oaked (Both small barrels and larger casks)
What is the hierarchy of Chianti Classico and what is each level’s aging requirement?
From lowest to highest:
Chianti Classico
must be aged at least 12 months
Chianti Classico Riserva
must be aged at least 24 months and at least 3 month in bottle aging
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
must be aged at least 30 months
Chianti is situated in the ___ of the ___ between which cities?
foothills
Apennines
Pisa, Florence and Siena
What is the dominant grape varietal used in Chianti DOCG?
Sangiovese is the dominant grape used in Chianti DOCG, and the others allowed include other Italian red grapes and some French red grapes.
There are 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG.
Which two subzones have reputations for producing higher-quality Chianti?
Chianti Rùfina DOCG
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
Is the Chianti Classico DOCG a subzone of Chianti DOCG?
No, Chianti Classico is not a subzone of Chianti.
Chianti Classico DOCG and Chianti DOCG
Difference and result
Chianti Classico is higher in altitude than Chianti DOCG.
= slowing the ripening of Sangiovese and resulting in wine with greater acidity and more herbal aromas.
In order to use the Gran Selezione designation, where do the grapes have to come from?
The grape must be sourced from a single estate.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be ___% ___ and can only be released from the winery from ___.
100% Sangiovese
January of the fifth year after harvest.
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Brunello di Montalcino must be aged at least 2 years in wooden vessels.
Grape varieties in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Blend of…
Sangiovese (dominant grape)
+ Other permitted grapes
Aged for minimum of 2 years before it is sold.
Producers from both Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG can declassify their wines to ___.
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
/ Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Which 2 important DOCs can Tuscan producers use that allow for non-Italian grapes, such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC