Central Italy Flashcards
Outline the climate of Tuscany.
Warm mediterranean.
Most of the rain falls in Autumn and winter. Some in the growing season.
Inland, summers can be hot and winters cold.
What are the main climactic hazards experienced in Tuscany?
Occasional spring frost, hail and rain in the growing season.
Summer drought and prolonged high temperatures can be problems in some years.
What are the six most planted grape varieties of Tuscany?
- Sangiovese (most planted by far)
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Trebbiano Toscano
- Vermentino
- Syrah
How much of Italy’s total plantings does Sangiovese account for?
10% making it the most planted variety in the country
In what sites does Sangiovese best grow in Tuscany?
- Sunny south and south-east facing slopes
- Best grapes are grown at 200-550m altitude for a long growing season.
- Prefers friable, shale and limestone soils with excellent drainage. Does fairly well on clay
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Sangiovese.
- Early budding, late ripening
- Vigorous - needs careful canopy management to avoid shading
- Susceptible to botrytis (thin skins)
- Can produce high yields - producers need to decide whether they prefer quantity or quality
How is Sangiovese typically planted in Tuscany?
The main types of training are cordons pruned to spurs or cane pruned with vertical shoot
positioning.
What was the The Chianti Classico
2000 project?
The Chianti Classico 2000 project produced seven clones that have been widely planted. The aims were smaller berries, thicker skins and more-open bunches to produce wines with deeper colour, more flavour intensity and greater disease resistance.
All in aim of producing higher quality fruit over high yields.
What pests and diseases are Sangiovese vines at risk to in Tuscany?
Esca
Wild boars
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Trebbiano Toscano.
- Late budding white variety
- Vigorous and high yielding
- Susceptible to downey mildew and eutypa dieback
- Ripens well in sunshine and heat while retaining acidity
What is Trebbiano Toscano referred to as in France?
Ugni Blanc
What characteristics does Canaiolo Nero contribute to Sangiovese based blends?
It is said to promote the floral and red-berried character of Sangiovese.
Canaiolo Nero is a variety used for blends in which Italian wine region?
Tuscany
Typically blended with Sangiovese
Outline the TRADITIONAL winemaking methods for Sangiovese based wines in Tuscany.
Sangiovese used to be blended with white grape varieties.
Very long maceration times (30+ days) and long maturation in oak oak (3-4 years).
What are the typical maceration times for Sangiovese based wines in Tuscany?
- 7-10 days for early-drinking
- 15-25 days for high tannin wines intended for ageing.
How have trends in maturation in wood for Tuscan Sangiovese wines changed recently?
- Latter decades of the last century saw widespread use of new oak barriques.
- Since the beginning of the new century, producers have been moving towards older barrels, 500L tonneaux and the traditional large old oak casks.
- New aim is for fruit to be star, not new oak flavours.
What are the seven Chianti DOCG subzones?
Rufina
Colli Fiorentini (Firenze)
Montespertoli
Montalbano
Colli Senesi
Colli Aretini
Colline Pisane
Why are Chianti DOCG wines cheaper than wines with subzone or Chianti Classico DOCG?
- Moderately high yields
- Less intensive vineyard work (less hilly area)
- Short ageing requirements in stainless steel or large format oak
When was Chianti upgraded to DOCG status?
1984
In what year were white grape varieties banned for the production of Chianti Classico DOCG wines?
2005
What are the main climactic influences on Chianti Rufina DOCG?
- Vineyards are planted at 350m altitude
- Cooling winds descend from a pass in the Appennines to the north
- Combined, these make Rufina the coolest subzone of Chianti.
Name two significant producers of Chianti Rufina DOCG.
Selvapiana
Frescobaldi at Nipozzano
What is the smallest Chianti subzone?
Rufina
What is the largest Chianti subzone?
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
