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Italian Wine Scholar Unit 2 TB > Chianti & Chianti Classico > Flashcards

Chianti & Chianti Classico Flashcards

1
Q

What type of soil is found around Castellina?

A

Alberese - fine-grained marl

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2
Q

What type of soil is found around Chianti Classico, Rufina and Montalcino?

A

Galestro - metamorphic rock, crumbly clavey, schist like

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3
Q

What are the soils of Montalcino?

A

Galestro - metamorphic, schist like rock

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4
Q

What was considered the epicenter of Super Tuscans and why?

A

Chianto Classico region

The drive was a dissatisfaction with the obsolete and inflexible Chianti Classico rules (eg mandatory white grapes)

Forced dramatic changes to Classico and other subzones.

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5
Q

What is Vin Santo?

A

A passito, mostly white, wine famous in Toscana

Dates to Middle Ages (Greek and Roman origins)

Trebbiano Toscano & Malvasia Bianca Lunga

Trebbiano = Acidity / Malvasia = body, texture, perfume

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6
Q

How is Vin Santo dried?

A

Appassimento - healthy grapes picked

Dry on racks or straw with aerated lofts or hang

Concentrates sugars and flavors

Duration varies fro Style and DOC rules

Left until December or as late as March

Sometimes noble rot (muffa nobile)

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7
Q

What are caratelli (caretello) and how are they used?

A

Dense sugar must for Vin Santo used to ferment and long maturation for the wine and put in caratelli which are usually 50l barrels made from chestnut, oak, acacia, juniper or cherry

These are old barrels stored in vinsantie no airconditioning subject to temperature fluctuations (fermentation stops in summer and winter too hot/cold)

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8
Q

What are vinsantie

A

Lofts or rooms storing caratelli full of Vin Santo with no AC subject to temperature fluctuations (fermentation stops in summer and winter too hot/cold)

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9
Q

What is Madre?

A

Used to initate fermentation

Wine soakd lees after racking a caratello

New grape juice is kickstarted with Madre.

Older Vin Santo and lees helps new grape juice create character

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10
Q

What is the problem with traditional Vin Santo production and how have producers modernized?

A

Can be unpredicatble since caratello’s are effectively each unique

Use ambient or cultured yeast to control the process and small oak barrels

Makes less distinctive and complex wines compared to traditional

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11
Q

What are the sweetness levels of Vin Santo?

A

Secco (dry) - very uncommon

Abboccato (Medium Dry)

Amabile (Medium Sweet)

Dolce (Sweet)

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12
Q

Difference between Vin Santo and Vino Santo

A

Not the same

Vin Santo - Toscana = Trebbiano + Malvasia

Different approach and DOC rules

vs

Vino Santo - Terntino = Nosiola grape

Always sweet and lower alcohol

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13
Q

What is Governo?

A

Wine making technique to soften Sangiovese

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14
Q

Which statement is false?

a. longer ageing increases Vin Santo’s concentration and complexity
b. Vin Santo is usually racked at least 5 times while ageing
c. Vin Santo may produce in varioud levels of sweetness
d. Vin Santo loses up to 50% of its volume after ageing

A

b. They are racked once

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15
Q

What does Vin Santo mean?

A

Holy Wine

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16
Q

How full are caratello’s filled with Vin Santo?

A

4/5ths of total volume

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17
Q

What is a typical ageing period for the Vin Santo DOCs?

A

Usually 2-3 years, but generally they are aged longer for more complex flavors

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18
Q

Between which two cities is Chianti Classico situated?

A

Firenze & Siena

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19
Q

White grapes are allowed in the Chianti Classico DOCG. True or false?

A

False

Must be made from a minimum 80% Sangiovese (usually 100%) with a maximum 20% from legally sanctioned red grape (Canaiolo, Colorino, Merlot or CabSav)

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20
Q

What is the sub-zone of Chianti DOCG that lies on the outskirts of Firenze?

A

Colli Fiorentini

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21
Q

What is the southernmost sub-zone of Chianti DOCG?

A

Colli Senesi

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22
Q

What is the ‘second’ wine of Montalcino?

A

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

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23
Q

Chianti DOCG allows for the use of max 30% of white grapes. True or false?

A

False. Whites cannot exceed 10%

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24
Q

How many bottles of wine does Chianti DOCG produce?

A

Over 100 million

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25
Q

Chianti DOCG overlaps Chianti Classico DOCG. True or false?

A

False. Chianti DOCG covers and area that surround Chianti Classico DOCG

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26
Q

Vin Santo is usually made from Trebbiano Toscano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. True or false?

A

False

Typically Trebbiano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga are used as a blend where Trebbiano adds acidity, Malvasia provides perfume, body and texture

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27
Q

What is a pink Vin Santo called?

A

Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice (Partrdge Eye)

Made from red grapes usually Sangiovese

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28
Q

What is Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice (Partrdge Eye) typically made from?

A

Sangiovese

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29
Q

Vin Santo can only be produced from white grapes. True or false?

A

False. Typically it is Trebbiano and Malvasia

But pink Vin Santo can be made from red grapes typically Sangiovese

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30
Q

Vino Santo is a traditional specialty of Toscana. True or false?

A

False - Vin Santo is from Tuscany

Vino Santo is from Trentino

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31
Q

Brunello di Montalcino can be declassified to Rosso di Montalcino DOC. True or false?

A

True

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32
Q

How many sub-zones are in the Chianti DOCG? And what are they

A

Seven

Rufina

Colli Fiorentini

Colli Aretini

Colline Pisane

Montalbano

Montespertoli

Colli Sensei

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33
Q

What is the historic symbol of the Chianti Classico DOCG wines?

A

Gallo Nero Black Rooster

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34
Q

What designation represents the top of the Chianti Classico pyramid?

A

Gran Selezione

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35
Q

Brunello di Montalcino has the longest ageing requirements after Barolo. True or false?

A

False

Brunello has the longed ageing requirements in all of Italy

4 years (2 years in oak 4 months in bottle)

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36
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG can be declassified to Chianti DOCG. True or false?

A

False - Chianti DOCG lies outside of Classico

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37
Q

By law Chianti Classico DOCG must be made from 100% Sangiovese. True or false?

A

False - 80% Sangiovese minimum

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38
Q

Which sub-zone of Chianti DOCG is considered to produce some of the most distinctive wines in the appellation?

A

Rufina

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39
Q

The Tuscan caratelli are wooden barrels traditionally used to mature red wines. True or false?

A

False - used for Vin Santo

40
Q

What are the famous Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC estates?

A

Tenuta San Guido

41
Q

What does Sassicaia mean?

A

Sassi = stone

Generally means stony, gravely soil

42
Q

Elba Aleatico Passito is a sweet red wine T/F

43
Q

Which statements are correct

a. Montalcino produced whites wines from Moscatoin the 16th century
b. Brunello is unrelated to Sangiovese
c. Wines called Brunello have been sold commercially since the Middle ages
d. The formation of a cooperative saved Montalcino’s vineyards after phylloxera struck
e. The original Brunello di Montalcino disciplinair was based on practices adopted by Tancredi Biondi-Santi

A

a, d, e

b - Brunello is Sangiovese

c. Brunello was only mentioned as early as 18th c AD

44
Q

Describe Montalcino’s area

A

Wingrowing is a 15km square

45
Q

Describe Montepulciano

A
  1. Cooler termperatures with less Med influence
  2. Lies on Umbrian border
  3. Homogeneous, characteristically sandy soils
46
Q

Match Montalcino with accurate description:

  1. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
  2. Rosso di Montalcino DOC
  3. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG
    a. minimum 4 years aging
    b. wood aging is not madatory
    c. minimum 5 years aging
A
  1. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 4 years minimum
  2. Rosso di Montalcino DOC - no wood
  3. Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG - 5 years
47
Q

Match Montalcino subzone with description

City of Montalcino

Torrenieri

Tavernelle

Sant’Angelo Scalo

a. warmest, driest
b. NE corner with cooler climate, clay soils
c. Original historic winegrowing area
d. Stony calcareous soils at medium altitude

A

City of Montalcino - Original historic winegrowing area

Torrenieri - NE corner with cooler climate, clay soils

Tavernelle - Stony calcareous soils at medium altitude

Sant’Angelo Scalo -warmest, driest

48
Q

The Carmignano winegrowing area is almost entirely overlapped by which appellation?

A

Chianti Montalbano DOCG

49
Q

What is Chianti Storico?

A

The original zone of production delineated in the 14th century

50
Q

What villages are included in Chianti Classico DOCG

A

Gaiole

Castellina

Radda

51
Q

Where is Toscana were Carbernet grapes 1st planted?

A

Carmignano

52
Q

Which statement is false

a. Soils of Vernaccia di San Gimignano are volcanic
b. Vernaccia di San Gimignano was traditionally fermented with skin contact
c. San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
d. Vernaccia di San Gimignano was Italy’s 1st DOC

A

Vernaccia di San Gimignano soils are marine in origin with yellow sand, yellow clay and calcareous marls

53
Q

What is Vin Ruspo

A

A Rosato produced in Carmignano

54
Q

What is the grape of Cortona DOC?

55
Q

Which appellation is not based on Sangiovese?

a. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
b. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
c. Bolgheri DOCG
d. Montecucco DOC

A

C. Bolgheri DOCG

56
Q

Which area does not have Galestro Soils?

a. Montalcino
b. Chianti Classico
c. Scansano
d. Rufina

A

C. Scansaon which has light alluvial to sand and silt

57
Q

Which statement is false?

a. Chianti Classico has one of Italy’s lowest mandated yields
b. White varieties can be included in the Chianti Classico blend
c. Chianti Classico from higher sites tends to be elegant and perfumed
d. Chianti Classico can contain 100% Sangiovese

A

b. white varieties are not allowed

58
Q

Which of the following sub-zones are considered to produce the highest quality of wine?

a. Motalbano, Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi
b. Montespertoli, Rufina, Colline Pisane
c. Colli Fiorentini, Collie Senesi, Clline Pisane
d. Colli Senesi, Rufina, Colli Fiorentini

A

d. Colli Senesi, Rufina, Colli Fiorentini

59
Q

Montalcino has historically been 100% Sangiovese, why?

a. higher elevations precluded other grapes from being planted there
b. wamer climate allows the grapes to achieve full ripeness consistently
c. Tradtion, Sangiovese has been the main grape for Montalcino for 600 years
d. Sangiovese is the only grape that grows well in the local granic soils.

A

b. wamer climate allows the grapes to achieve full ripeness consistently

c. Sangiovese has only been around since 18th c AD

60
Q

Which appellation is most associated with the governo wine making technique?

a. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
b. Bogheri Sassicaia DOC
c. Rosso di Montalcino DOC
d. Chianti DOCG

A

d. Chianti DOCG

61
Q

Why was Montalcino important in wine history?

A

Been producing wines since Middle Ages

Lies on Via Francigena which helped the local wine industry

Been quality since 16 c AD when wines were made of Moscato (Moscadello) and even exported to England

62
Q

When was the 1st Brunello documented in history?

A

1869

“Vino Rosso Scelto (Brunello) 1865”

Won a silver medal at agri fair in Montalpulciano

63
Q

What does Brunello mean?

A

Little Dark One

64
Q

What is ​”Cantina Sociale Biondi Santi e C”

A

This was a coop formed in the 1920s after phylloxers hit Montalcino

Founded by Tancredi Biondi great-grandson to Santi

Was active until 1944

65
Q

What was Brunellogate (Burenellopoli)?

A

Feb 2008 - illegal blending in Montalcino

A 7 producers blended Sangiovese with other grapes breaking the 100% requirement

Got fined and declassified.

in 2008, some producers proposed to reduce the 100% requirement to 96%. It didnt pass.

66
Q

What are the rivers that almost surround Montalcino?

A

Asso River

Orcia River

Ombrone River

15km wide “square”

Exaclty its municipal area

Irregular hills and 4 irregular slopes

67
Q

Where is renown for Vin Santo with some of Italy’s best?

A

Vin Santo di Montepulciano

68
Q

Chianti Storico

A

Geographical zone between Firenze and Sienna

“Historic Chianti”

Represents the original zone of production officially delineated in the 14th Century

69
Q

Chianti Classico

A

Wines produced in Chianti Storico (original 14th c) which falls within Chianti Classico DOCG

70
Q

Chianti

A

Designation that is the result of expansion around Chianti Storico (original 14th Centurty classification)

Expansion occured in 1930s

Wines produced here call within the Chianti DOCG (outside Chianti Classico) wines are different

71
Q

What is the Lega del Chianti

A

League of Chianti 1384 - official act for historical zone of origin

Chianti Storico (to become Chianti Classico)

72
Q

What is the Gallo Nero?

A

Black Rooster the historic symbol of League of Chianti (now for Chianti Classico)

Medieval ledge about hostility between Firenze and Sienna

73
Q

What are Vino all’uso di Chianti?

A

“Wines of Chianti”

Wines produced with the same grapes as Chianti Storico that were made outside historic area

74
Q

What is the formation of Consorzio

A

In 1924, to combat fraud, 33 producers in historic formed the Consorzio to protect image and quality

They adopted the Gallo Nero

1927 - they formalized the boundaries

75
Q

What is the regulation of Chianti’s Boundaries?

A

In 1934, Italian goernment sought to regulate Chianti’s name

Expanded Chianti outside historic but classified them Classico.

Designated the 6 additional subzones

76
Q

How many communes in Chianti Classico?

A

9

Castellina

Greve

Radda

Gaiole

only a portion

Barberino Val d’Elsa

Castelnuovo Berardenga

Poggibonsi

S. Casciano

Tavernelle

77
Q

What is macigno?

A

Sandstone name in Chianti Classico

78
Q

What are some of the unofficial subzones of Chianti Classico that have produced some distinctive wines?

A

Monti

Lamole

Ruffoli

Panzano

79
Q

What are the Vin Santos of Tuscany?

A

Vin Santo del Chianti (DOC)

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (DOC)

Vin Santo di Carmignano (DOC)

Vin Santo di Montepulciano (DOC)

Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice (Montecarlo Pink version)

80
Q

In 1384, what was did Firenze put in place to establish the 1st boundaries in Chianti Storico (Classico)?

A

Lega del Chianti

81
Q

What are Vino all’uso di Chianti?

A

Wines produced with the same grapes, formula and manner outside of Chianti Storico.

82
Q

What boxes Chianti Classico in?

A

Monti Del Chianti (east)

Elsa Valley (west)

Firenze and the Arno River (north)

Siena (south)

83
Q

What are the rivers that traverse Chianti Classico

A

Greve River & Pesa River flow north to Arno River

Arbia River flows south to Ombrone River

84
Q

What is limestone know locally in Chianti Classico?

85
Q

What style can Vin Santo Occhio di. Pernice del Chianti Classico be made?

A

Only SWEET

86
Q

What are the most prominent unofficial subzones of Chianti Classico?

A

Monti

Lamole

Ruffoli

Panzano

87
Q

What are the most well known and historic sud-zones of Chianti Classico?

A

Castellina

Radda

Gaiole

88
Q

How big is Chiant versus Chianti Classico?

A

Twice as big with 7 subzones.

89
Q

What is one of Italy’s largest, productive and most exported appellations?

A

Chianti DOCG as largest, most productive and most exported.

90
Q

What is the only Chianti DOCG that does not allow white grapes?

A

Colli Senesi

91
Q

What is the only Chianti DOCG subzone that has different requirements?

A

Colli Senesi

Min 75% Sangiovese

Max 10% CabSav/CabFrank

No White Grapes

92
Q

What is the highest and coolest sub-zone in either Chianti of Chianti Classico?

93
Q

What is unique about Cortona Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice DOC?

A

It is made from 100% Sangiovese and/or Malvasia Nera

94
Q

What is Vino Rosso Scelto (Brunello) 1865

A

Clemente Santi’s 1st awarding winning Brunello that won a silver medal in a fair in 1869.

1st time Brunello is mentioned.

95
Q

Where in Montalcino are grapes harvest the earliest?

A

Sant’Angelo Scalo – S/SW hottest climate, arid, low altitude – marine-clay, sandm limestone – to – alluvial from Orcia River. Grapes usually harvested early here 1-2 weeks than higher altitudes. More approachable wines

96
Q

What 4 appellations fall under Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino

A

1. Brunello di Montalcino

2. Rosso di Montalcino

3. Sant’Antimo DOC

4. Moscadello di Montalcino DOC

97
Q

Who recieved its DOCG before Chianti or Chianti Classico?

A

Chianti received its designation in 1984 while Chianti Classico did not receive its designation until 2006

Italian Wine Scholar Unit 2 TB (49 decks)

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