Central Italy Flashcards
Climate of Tuscany
Warm Mediterranean
What cooling influence is important in Tuscany?
Altitude
Climate hazards of Tuscany
Spring frost
Hail
Rain during harvest
Top varietals in Tuscany
Sangiovese
Merlot
Cab sauv
Trebbiano toscano
Vermentino
Syrah
Sangiovese wines are
High acid, high tannin, red cherry/plum/ herbal
Sangiovese is a difficult variety to grow because
It buds early - spring frost
Ripens late - fall rain
Does best on sunny, south/SE facing slopes w/good drainage
Vigorous- needs trimming to avoid shade
High volumes- prune/cluster thin/green harvest fir quality
Trebbiano Toscana
Ugni Blanc
Late budding
Vigorous and high yielding
Good disease resistance
Retains acid
Neutral lemon herbs
Vin Santo
Canaiolo Nero
Red berry fruit/ floral, light tannin
Historic winemaking practices in Chianti
Sangiovese blended with white to soften
30+ day maceration
Extended large wood maturation
Chianti DOCG
70-100% Sangiovese
Moderate yields
Riserva = 2 yr maturation
Chianti Subzones
Ex: Chianti Colli Fiorentini
Lower yields
Some set min eod aging requirements
Chianti Ruffina DOCG
Coolest subzone due to altitude and winds from a pass in Apennines
High acid but able to mature in bottle
Frescobaldi- Nipozzano aristocrat estates
Less new investment
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
Largest/warmest subzone
Full bodied, rich wines
Min 75% Sangiovese
Chianti Classico DOCG
Best are at 200-500m for diurnal swing and long grow season
Galestro soil (marl) - aromatics/aging potential
Clay for structure/body
80% Sangiovese no white
One year maturation mandated
Riserva 2yr
Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Single vineyard or estate owned by producer
Aged min 30 mos
Min 90% Sangiovese and no international varieties
Can add one of 11 UGA - defined sub zones
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Warmer/drier than CC
Protected from rain by Monte Amiata- cooling breezes from Mediterranean
100% Sangiovese
4 yr maturation- 2 in oak
Riserva 5yr - 2 in oak
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
E/SE facing slopes
250-600m
Aromatic
70-100% Sangiovese
Min 2yr maturation- some in wood
Once austere- now lower maceration for sooner drinking
Morellino de Scansano DOCG
Close to coast
Moderated by altitude and sea winds
85% Sangiovese
Bolgheri DOC
Specializes in Bordeaux blends
Irrigation allowed
Higher densities than other Tuscany regions
Vino de tavola until 1983
Up to 100% CS, CF, Merl
Up to 50% Syrah, Sangiovese
Bolgheri Rosso Superiore
Lower yields
2yr min maturation- 1 in wood
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Tenuta San Guido estate
80% CS
2yr maturation- 18 mos in large oak
Maremma Toscana DOC
Local and international varieties
Sangiovese, CS, Vermentino
High yields
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Dry/windy low disease pressure
200-400m
85% Vernaccia (SB/Ries)
Mid to late ripening- high yielding
Now limited to 63 hL
Half exported/half consumed locally by tourists
Toscano IGT
Higher yields
Any registered variety
Mostly cheap plonk
Some prestigious- Masseto (merl from Frescobaldi) or Solaia (CS/San/CF from Antinori)
Vin Santo
Appassimento
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia
Extensive aging with no topping
What % of Tuscany sales are DOC(G)?
65%