Chapter 23 - Sangiovese and Montepulciano

Question 1

Describe Sangiovese

Answer 1

dry, high tannin, high acid

red fruit, dried herbs

Question 2

Where is Sangiovese grown?

Answer 2

Widely planted but importantly in central Tuscany:
Chianti DOCG - wide area in foothills of Apennine mountains. varied quality. plenty of cheap, non ageworthy wine.

Chianti Classico DOCG - higher altitude. longer ripening. stronger red fruit and dried herb. matured in oak.

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG - stricter aging

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - powerful full bodied wine from Montalcino (S.Tuscany) Very high tannin and acid. Must mature in oak for extended time. Brunello is local name for Sangiovese

Question 3

Describe Montepulciano

Answer 3

deeply colored wines

med acid, high tannin, black fruit flavors

Question 4

Where is Montepulciano best known?

Answer 4

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC from Abruzzo region
East Central Italy
Abruzzo produces high volumes of inexpensive wine, simple and fruity.
More concentrated can be matured for short times in oak.

Question 5

Explain labeling in Italy

Answer 5

Some wines are named for region, others for grape variety and region.
Examples:
Barolo, barbaresco, valpolicella (regions)
vs
barbera d’Asti DOCG (grape and region)

Classico - wine from grapes in historic center of a region. often hilliest parts. more concentrated.
Riserva - indicates DOC or DOCG, aged for at least x months.

Question 6

What are Italy’s PDO and PGIs?

Answer 6

DOC, DOCG

IGT