Central Italy Flashcards
History of Chianti.
- Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici created first regions, precursors of GI
- 1872 Baron Bettino Ricasoli recommends Sangiovese as main varietal of Chianti and addition of white Malvasia. Base for the 1967 DOC.
- 1932 Chianti gets enlarged and the original hilly gets called Classico.
- Sharecropping (landowners rent land to farmers in return of half the product) and investments from all over the world pushes business after WWII.
What are the Super Tuscans? Two most famous examples.
Bordeaux varietals or blends in French barrique, mostly new.
Release as vino da tavola.
Sassicaia (1968) and Tignanello (1971).
Tuscany climate and moderating influences.
- Warm mediterranean.
- Adequate rainfall and altitude.
Hazards in Tuscany.
- Spring frost.
- Hail.
- Rain during harvest.
- Summer drought.
- High temperatures for too long.
Most planted varietals in Tuscany.
Sangiovese (63%)
The rest is Trebbiano Toscano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo.
Name of Sangiovese in Montepulciano.
Prugnolo Gentile.
Sangiovese budding/ripening.
Early/late.
Really hard to grow cause is prone to frost and autumn rains at the same time.
What Sangiovese needs to grow properly?
- Altitude (200 - 550mt).
- Shale, limestone soils, also ok on clay.
How to control yields for Sangiovese.
High yield.
- Canopy management: pruning, cluster thinning, green harvesting.
- Better clones with smaller berries and thicker skins (altro protects from fungal as normally they are thin).
Hazards for Sangiovese.
- Fungal (thin skin).
- Esca.
- Wild boars.
Sangiovese is blended with?
- Historically white varietals Trebbiano and Malvasia.
- Local such as Colorino, Canaiolo.
- International: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
What Canaiolo adds to the blend?
- Red fruits.
- Low tannins.
- Floral notes.
Trebbiano Toscano budding and yielding.
- Late.
- High yield.
Trebbiano Toscano hazards and resistance.
- Downy mildew.
- Eutypa dieback.
Is pretty resistant to the rest, especially drought and heat.
Is Trebbiano Toscano popular?
No, is in decline. Mostly for low quality whites and Vin Santo production.
Winemaking before and now in Tuscany.
Before: long maceration (30+ days) in big botti oak and maturation for 3-4 years.
After: 7-10 days maceration for early drinking, 15-25 for more structure, temp control stainless/concrete. Barriques/tonneaux but now a return to big botti.
Chianti DOCG laws.
- 70-100% Sangiovese. Cab Franc/Sauv cannot exceed 15% and 10% of white varietals are allowed.
- 11.5% min alcohol.
- 63hL/ha
- Release in March after harvest.
- If labeled Riserva needs to be aged for 2 years (no oak required).
Chianti DOCG subzones laws.
- 12% minimum alcohol.
- 56hL/ha.
- Riserva six months in oak barrels.
Chianti Rufina moderating influences and famous estates.
- Altitude (350mt) and cool winds from Apennines.
- Selvapiana, Frescobaldi at Nipozzano.
Where is Chianti Classico DOCG located?
Hills between Florence and Siena.
Altitude is around 200-500mt (high diurnal.
Soils of Chianti Classico and styles of wine you can make out of them.
- Galestro (schist, rock, clay, marl) - aromatics.
- Alberese (calcareous clay) - structure and body.
Both have good drainage and water holding capacity.
Laws for Chianti Classico DOCG.
- 80% Sangiovese (mostly blended with Canaiolo or Merlot). No white varietals allowed.
- 52.5hL/ha.
- October after the harvest. Riserva two years.
- Can mention a single vineyard.
- Cannot be bottled as Chianti DOCG.
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG laws.
- Single Vineyard/Estate owned.
- 30 months of ageing (no oak requirements).
History of Brunello di Montalcino.
- Biondi Santi only produced till WW2 since 1865.
- Banfi starts an importing company for Lambrusco and discovers a new strong export through planting Sangiovese in Brunello.
- From the 60s till today we went from 11 to 250 producers (65 ha to 2100 ha).
Climate of Brunello di Montalcino and moderating influences.
Warm, dry.
- Monte Amiata rain shadow effect. Still adequate rainfall.
- Cool breezes from Mediterranean sea (far away) at night (diurnal).
- Altitude (120-500mt).
Soils in North and South Montalcino.
- North - galestro based.
- South - more clay.
Producers tend to blend from these two areas.
Brunello di Montalcino laws.
- 100% Sangiovese.
- 54hL/ha.
- Base: five years/two oak. Riserva: six years/two oak.
- Can name a single vineyard.
Rosso di Montalcino DOC. What changes?
- Vineyard space is the same.
- Younger vines or declassify lower vintages e.g. 2014.
- 1 year ageing (oak or stainless).
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano main moderating influence.
Altitude (250-600mt). East/south-east slopes.
Vino Nobile soils and styles of wine.
- Clay (heavy, full body).
- Sand (lighter).
Shorter extractions and barriques are used for early drinking styles.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG laws.
- 70-100% Sangiovese.
- 56 hL/ha.
- 12-24 years in wood. Riserva three years no additional oak time.
Also Rosso di Montepulciano DOC for early drinking.
Morellino di Scansano DOCG moderating influences and laws.
- Altitude (250mt) and cooling winds from the sea at night.
- 80% Sangiovese, 63hL/ha.
Bolgheri DOC moderating influences.
- Proximity to the sea.
- Winds (reduce fungal as well).
- Rain well spread.
- Altitude (up to 400mt).I
Is irrigation allowed in Bolgheri?
Yes.
Main trellising system in Bolgheri.
Cordon trained, spur pruned with VSP.
Vine density in Bolgheri.
6000 per ha.
Bolgheri DOC varietals.
Up to 100% of Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc, Merlot.
50% Syrah, Sangiovese.
30% other (e.g. Petit Verdot).
Bolgheri vs Bolgheri Superiore yields.
- 56hL/ha for Superiore.
- 63hL/ha for Rosso.
Bolgheri white is mostly made with what grape?
Vermentino.
Ageing for Bolgheri Rosso Superiore.
2 years after harvest (one in oak).
Mostly French barriques, new oak.
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC laws.
- 80% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Two years (18 months in barrique).