Chianti and Montalcino subzones Flashcards
Chianti Rufina
Smallest
Highest
Most prestigious
Elegant with Bright Acidity
Chianti Colli Fiorentini
Longest wine traditions
Fresh Light-Med Body
Large, hilly area S&E of Firenze
Chianit Colli Artini
Arno flow through
East of Chianti Classico
Chianti Colline Pisane
One of the smallest (vol & vine)
Milder weather closer to Sea
Chianti Montalbano
NW Chianti
Overlaps Carmignano DOC
Chianti Montespertoli
Most recent 1997 carves out of Fiorentini
Chianti Senesi
Largest
Most Southern
Most stringent (75% Sangiovese vs 70%)
No white grapes
Substantial, Fuller body wines.
Vin Santo del Chianti
Same as Chianti DOCG
same formula
Trebbiano + Malvasia
Pernice - Sangiovese-based
4 years ageing and each subzone gets its own designation
Montalcino Zone
Original, historic and best sites
300-500m
Soils: Poor and oldest soils of limestone, sandstone & galestro
Most elegant, complex, age-worthy
Torrenieri zone
NE of Montalcino
Marine with higher clay content soils
Cooler temperatures, spring frost & autumn fog impeding ripening
Meso-climate means Leaner, firmer tannins
Tavernelle Zone
SW of Montalcino
Stony, Calcareous soils
300-500m
Slightly warmer than the north
Great depth, Ripe Fruit, complexity and longevity
Camigliano Zone
SW of Tavernell town of Camigliano
Lower Altitude - warmer/drier
Marine deposits of limestone, sand and clay
Power & Concentrated, Lower Acid and overall complexity
Sant’Angelo in Scalo Zone
SW of Tavernell town of Camigliano
Lower Altitude - medium elevations
Hottest and Driest
Marine deposits of limestone, sand and clay
Power & Concentrated, less acidity and overall complexity
Castelnuovo dell’Abate Zone
Extreme SE corner of Montalcino
200-450m
Ridges above the vineyards help block heat from SW
Ripe fruit, Depth, Finese Some of most distinctive are produced here
Sant’Angelo in Colle Zone
South Montalcino
Has 3 sub-zones
Medium altitude (300-350m)
Elevation provides Structured Powerful refined.
