Central Italy Flashcards
What is the climate in Central Italy? What is it moderated by?
Hot climate
Coastal breezes and Apennine Mountains (altitude)
Northern Tuscany can be broken into three general sections, what are they?
Chianti (mountains/foothills)
Hills and Valleys (south)
Coastal plain (flat)
When does Sangiovese ripen? What are it’s acid and tannin levels?
Late
high tannin, high acid
Aromas of Sangiovese include…
Red cherries, plums and dried herbs
Why is Sangiovese usually oak aged?
To soften tannin (sometimes for spice flavour too)
Sangiovese develops what flavours in-bottle?
Meaty and Gamey
What type of terrain does Chianti cover?
Foothills
Large area covering foothills of the Apennines
Chianti includes how many sub-zones? When can wines be labelled under a sub-zone name.
7.
When grapes are sourced from the one specified zone
(Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG)
What is significant about the geography of Chianti Classico when compared to the rest of Chianti? How long must wines be aged for?
Higher Altitude
Wines must be aged for 12 months, not legally in oak, although it is the norm
What impact on wines does the higher altitude in Chianti Classico have?
Acid retention and development of herbal aromas
What Chianti wine must be aged for 24 months, with a minimum of 3 in bottle?
Chianti Classico Riserva
Must Chianti Classico Riserva age in oak?
No
Is Southern Tuscany warmer or cooler than Northern Tuscany?
Warmer
What regulates heat in Southern Tuscany?
Cool, maritime breezes from the south-west
What are the two DOCG regions in Southern Tuscany and what are their winemaking laws?
Brunello di Montalcino - Min. 5 years total ageing - 2 years in oak - 100% Sangiovese Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Min. 2 yrs ageing - No mention of oak - Can be blended