Central Italy Flashcards
Tuscany, Abruzzo, Lazio, Marche, Umbria
Where is Tuscany located?
On the Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy
What was the first Chianti zone delimited?
1716
What region in Italy received the first DOC and DOCG zones?
Tuscany
What was the original form of bottling Chianti?
Fiasco
Roughly how much of Tuscany’s output is DOC or DOCG level?
60%
How many DOCGs are in Tuscany?
11
What is the climate of Tuscany?
Mediterranean
What is the major grape of Tuscany?
Sangiovese
Describe a typical Sangiovese
Light coloured, high acidity, firm tannins, medium-full bodied
Cherry aromas and herbal undertones
Which 2 local grapes are often blended with Sangiovese in Tuscany?
Colorino
Canaiolo
Which 2 international grapes are commonly blended with Sangiovese in Tuscany?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Which 2 local white grapes are most planted in Tuscany?
Trebbiano Toscano
Malvasia
Which 2 international white grapes are most commonly found in Tuscany?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
What percentage of Tuscan output is red wine?
85%
When was modern Chianti zoned?
1932
When was Chianti officially given DOCG status?
1984
How many subzones does Chianti have?
8
Which 2 subzones are considered the best in Chianti?
Classico
Rufina
What is the DOC within the Rufina subzone of Chianti?
Pomino DOC
Which 2 producers make wines from Pomino DOC?
Frescobaldi
Fattoria Selvapiana
Who is credited with defining the classic Chianti blend in 1872?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
What is the modern Chianti blend?
70-100% Sangiovese
May white grapes be added to a Chianti blend?
Yes
What is the minimum alcohol for Chianti?
11.5%
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Normale and Chianti Riserva?
Wines for normale can be released from 1st March following the harvest
Riserva must be aged 2 years before release
When was Chianti Classico given DOCG status?
1984
How many zones lay within Chianti Classico?
4
What are the soils of Chianti Classico?
Sandstone and marl
What is the Chianti Classico blend?
Minimum 80% Sangiovese
White grapes banned (from 2006)
What is the minimum alcohol for Chianti Classico?
12%
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Riserva?
Normal Chianti Classico cannot be released before 1st October the year after harvest
Riserva must be aged for a minimum 24 months, including a minimum 3 months in bottle and a minimum alcohol of 12.5%
What are the requirements for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
Wines aged for minimum 30 months with 3 months in bottle
Minimum 13% alcohol
Minimum 90% Sangiovese
Who is credited with coming up with the classic Brunello di Montalcino style?
Clemente Santi from Biondi-Santi. It is said he isolated the Brunello clone in 1865
When was the first release of Biondi-Santi’s Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
1888
What is the only permitted grape variety of Brunello di Montalcino?
Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello clone)
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?
Aged in cask for minimum 2 years
Aged in bottle for minimum 4 months prior to release
Cannot be released until January 1st the 5th year after harvest
What are the soils of Brunello di Montalcino?
Galestro in higher altitudes
Clay in lower altitudes
Marine fossils across all of Montalcino
How does the palate of a Brunello wine differ from a Chianti?
Brunello is fuller bodied, with higher alcohol, higher extraction, and higher tannin
What are the 3 DOCs of Montalcino?
Rosso di Montlacino
Sant’Antimo
Moscadello di Montalcino
What are the regulations of Rosso di Montlacino?
100% Sangiovese from the same region as Brunello
Minimum 1 year aging before release
When was Sant’Antimo DOC created?
1996
What styles of wines does Sant’Antimo produce?
Super-Tuscan style red wines, with no limit on grape varieties. White wines also produced
What wines foes Moscadello di Montalcino DOC produce?
Still or sparkling wines based off Moscadello (Moscato Bianco). Wines can be sweet
When was Vin Nobile di Montepulciano awarded DOCG status
1980
What are the grape requirements for Vin Nobile di Montepulciano?
Minimum 70% Sangiovese
No more than 5% white grapes
What are the aging requirements for Vin Nobile di Montepulciano and the Riserva?
Minimum 2 years age, with 1 year in wood
For Riserva, minimum 3 years
When did Morellino di Scansano gain its DOCG status?
2006
What are the wines of Morellino di Scansano gain DOCG?
Red wines based off minimum 85% Sangiovese
Which other appellation does Carmignano overlap?
Chianti
What are the grape requirements of Carmignano?
Minimum 50% Sangiovese
10%-20% Cabernet Franc or Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the 2 DOCG zones within Carmignano?
Rosso della Val di Corina
Suvereto
When and what was the first “Super-Tuscan” released?
In 1968 Tenuta San Guido released the Sassicaia cuvee
Where is Sassicaia made?
Bolgheri
What is the blend of Sassicaia?
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
What appellation was the first Sassicaia cuvee released under?
Vino de tavola (Table wine)
When did Antinori release their first Super-Tuscan and what is it called?
1971
Tignanello
How much Sangiovese is required for Tignanello?
85%
What is the blend of Solaia?
Cabernet blend
What is the blend of Ornellaia?
Bordeaux blend
What is the blend of Massteo?
Merlot
What is the blend of Paleo Rosso?
Cabernet Franc
Why did some producers release their wines from Chianti as vino de tavola around the same time the Super Tuscans were coming out?
They wanted to make 100% Sangiovese which was not permitted in Chianti
When was the IGT for Super Tuscans created?
1992
When was Bolgheri given DOC status?
1994
What are the grape varieties of Bolgheri DOC?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Syrah
Sangiovese
What are the aging requirements for Bolgheri Superiore?
Minimum 2 years with 1 oak
Minimum 12.5% ABV
When was Bolgheri Sassicaia granted its own appellation?
2013
What is special about Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
It is the only true monopole DOC in Italy
Where is Elba located?
Off the coast of Maremma in Tuscany
Which famous general was exiled to Elba in 1814?
Napoleon
When did Elba Aleatico receive a DOCG status and for wines?
2011
Sweet passito reds wines made from Aleatico
What grape is Aleatico thought to be related to?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains
What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
What does Vin Santo mean in English?
Holy wine
What are the grapes of Vin Santo?
Predominantly Trebbiano and Malvasia with Grachetto rarely used
Sangiovese is required at 50% for the rose Vin Santo
What is the Vin Santo production process?
Grapes are hung on rafters until at least the 1st December when they are raisinated
Slow fermentation begins and then aging in caratelli barrels for 3-8 years
The barrels are never filled to the top to allows for evaporation and some oxidation
What appellation is the majority of Vin Santo released under?
Vin Santi del Chianti DOC
What is the classic food pairing for Vin Santo?
Biscotti
Where is Umbria
Southeast of Tuscany
What is the mountain range going through the west of Umbria?
Appenines
What are the grapes of Orvieto DOC
Grechetto and Tribbiano Toscano
What is the grape of Sagranito di Montefalco DOCG?
Sagranito
What are the aging requirements for Sagranito di Montefalco DOCG?
37 months, including 12 in wood
What is the traditional style of wine from Sagranito di Montefalco?
Passito
What is the main grape of Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?
Sangiovese
What are the aging requirements for Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?
Minimum 3 years, including 6 months in bottle
What famous estate owned by Antinori released Chardonnay based wines under Umbria IGT?
Castello della Sala
Where is Lazio?
South of Tuscany and Umbria
What are the dominant grapes of Lazio?
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia
What are the DOCGs within Frascati DOC in Lazio?
Frascati Superiore
Cannellino di Frascati
What wines are made in Cesanese del Piglio DOCG?
Red wines based off Cesanese
Describe a wine made from Cesanese
Spicy and peppery with high acidity and high alcohol
Where is Le Marche located?
East of Umbria on the Adriatic Coast
What are the 2 Verdicchio DOCGs of Le Marche?
Verdicchio di Matelica
Castelli di Jesi
What are the common aromas of Verdicchio?
Lemon tinge
Stony streak
Bitter almond tang
What are the aging requirements for the Verdicchio Riserva DOCGs?
18 months
What are the grape varieties of Conero Rosso Risvera DOCG?
Minimum 85% Montepulciano and maximum 15% Sangiovese
What is the grape of Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG?
Vernaccia
When was Offida given DOCG status and for what grapes?
2011
Red: Montepulciano
White: Precorino, Passerina
Where is Abruzzo?
South of Le Marche on the Adriatic Sea
What is the most planted grape of Abruzzo
Montepulciano
What is the DOCG of Abruzzo known for being the Classico zone of Montepulciano?
Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG
What are the Colline Teramane DOCG grape requirements?
Minimum 90% Montepulciano
What are the aging requirements of Colline Teramane DOCG and its Riserva?
Minimum 1 year including 2 months in bottle
3 years for Riserva
What grapes are allowed in Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC?
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Abruzzese