Chianti Classico/Brunello di Montalcino Flashcards

1
Q

What are declassified Brunello di Montalcino DOCG And Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG called and why might they be declassified?

A

Rosso di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano De classified in poor years or if young vines

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2
Q

Which 2 areas in Toscana feature a high proportion of “galestro” soil?

A

Chianti Classico / Montalcino

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3
Q

The Brunello clone is also known as __

A

Sangiovese Grosso

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4
Q

Toscana’s climate is similar to which other premier wine-growing region?

A

Napa Valley

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5
Q

What are the 3 unofficial “frazioni” of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?

A

Castelnuovo dell’ Abate

Sant’Angelo in Colle

Torrenieri

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6
Q

What are the ageing conditions for: Chianti Classico Chianti Classico Riserva Chianti Gran Selezione

A

Chianti Classico 12 months Chianti Classico Riserva 24 months, min 3 in bottle Chianti Gran Selezione 30 months, min 3 in bottle. For all, oak optional but usual

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7
Q

Trebbiano Toscano is synonymous with grape?

A

Ugni Blanc

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8
Q

Castello Banfi is located in which region?

Specifically which appellation?

Traditional or Modern?

A

Toscana, Italy.

Montalcino

Modern (high use of barriques)

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9
Q

Put the following appellations in order from North to South:

A. Carmignano DOCG

B. Morellino di Scansano DOCG

C. Bolgheri DOC

D. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG

E. Chianti Montespertoli DOCG

F. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

A

1.A / 2.E / 3.D / 4.C / 5.F / 6.B

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10
Q

What is the required aging for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva wines?

A

2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle, released after January 1 of the 6th year after harvest

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11
Q

What are the 5 main villages in Chianti Classico?

A

Gaiole

Radda

Castellina

Castelnuovo Berardenga

Greve

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12
Q

Where is the producer Canalicchio di Sopra located?

A

North Montalcino / Toscana

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13
Q

How is the 1997 vintage in Toscana rated, what is the general quality of the wines and what were the vintage’s characteristics?

A
  • An excellent vintage.
  • Wines are well-balanced and fruity
  • Spring frosts cut quantities of fruit by 10%, but perfect ripening conditions and minimal rainfall combined to produce fruit with great concentration, sugar and phenolic ripeness.
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14
Q

When and why did Masseto and Ornellaia become 2 separate entities?

A
  • 2012
  • This was a strategic decision meant to eliminate competition between the 2 wines, and to recognize the importance Masseto as a stand-alone wine.
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15
Q

Who is the producer of “Redigaffi”?

What grapes are used?

How is it aged?

A
  • Tua Rita
  • 100% Merlot.
  • 100% new French oak for 18 to 20 months.
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16
Q

What region / sub-region does Col d’Orcia produce wine in?

It is one of the ___ producers in Montalcino:

They produce wines from both ___ and ____:

Their farming is:

A
  • Montalcino / Sant’Angelo in Colle.
  • Largest producers.
  • Wines from both estate-owned and surrounding vineyards.
  • Organic
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17
Q

What are the ageing conditions for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino (normale and riserva)?

A

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Min. 2 years in oak

Riserva: 3 Years

Brunello di Montalcino: 5 years, 2 in oak

Riserva: 6 years, 2 in oak

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18
Q

What is the minimum aging required for Chianti Classico Riserva wines?

A

24 Months

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19
Q

What is the name of the specific clone of Sangiovese used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

A

Prugnolo Gentile

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20
Q

Which body of water has the most impact on Tuscany’s climate?

A

Mediterranean Sea

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21
Q

Which vineyard provides the fruit for Col d’Orcia’s Riserva wine?

What does the name translate to?

What is the soil composition of this vineyard?

How is the wine aged?

A
  • Poggio al Vento
  • “Windy Hill”
  • Sandy Limestone
  • 4 years in Slavonian Botti and French barriques, 3 years refinement in bottle.
22
Q

Which sub zone does Chianti Classico come from?

What contributes to the wine’s quality?

Hong long must the wines be aged for (normale / riserva)?

A

Chianti Classico is its own specific zone so does not come from the other sub zones.

The vineyards are at higher altitude, so slower ripening giving wines with greater acidity.

Min 12 mo ageing

Chianti Classico Riserva: min 24 mo of which at least 3 in bottle.

23
Q

What are the 2 most common soil types found in Chianti Classico?

What are their characteristics?

A

“Galestro”: soft, friable marl.

“Alberese”: sandstone.

24
Q

Where is Chianti located and specifically in a triangle of which 3 cities?

A

In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa and Florence in the north and Sienna in the south.

25
Q

Where is the producer Poggio Antico located?

What elevation are their vineyards?

Are they considered modern or traditional?

A

Montalcino, east of Tavernelle, north of Sant’ Angelo in Colle.

  • 480m
  • Traditional: over 3 years in large, traditional Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 8 months of bottle refinement.
26
Q

Tuscany is roughly divided into 3 parts, what are they?

A

Mountainous Chianti in the north

Hills and valleys in the south

Flat coastal plain

27
Q

What is Chianti Gran Selezione? Labelling conditions?

A

The highest designation of Chianti Classico. Grapes must from a single estate and aged 30 months. Oak optional but usually used

28
Q
  1. What is the only DOCG in Toscana for white wine?
  2. What is the only DOCG for dessert wine?
A
  1. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
  2. Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
29
Q

What is the climate like in Southern Tuscany and what are the two prime wines produced?

A

Lower altitude so warmer but with cool maritime breezes

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 100% Sangiovese

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG - Mostly Sangiovese and others

30
Q

Who is credited with isolating the Brunello clone and creating what is known as the “Brunello” style?

A

Clemente Santi

31
Q

In which part of Chianti Classico is Montevertine located?

A

Radda

32
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG is from which region?

Based mainly on which grape?

A

Toscana

min. 80% Sangiovese

33
Q

What is the primary grape of Tuscany? What are its characteristics?

A

Sangiovese

Late ripening, needs warmth,

High acidity and tannin, red cherries and plums.

Usually oak aged to soften tannins and add spicy flavours

34
Q

What are 4 grapes allowed in Chianti Classico besides Sangiovese?

A

Colorino, Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

35
Q

What is the symbol/emblem found on the neck of Chianti Classico bottles?

A

A Black Rooster

36
Q

Besides Chianti Classico, there are 7 sub zones in Chianti, where do the best wines come from?

What are the other 5?

A

Highest quality sub-zones are Chianti Ruffina DOCG and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG

Colli Aretini

Colli Fiorentini

Colline Pisane

Montalbano

Montespertoli

37
Q

What is the name of the traditional straw-covered bottle used for Chianti?

A

Fiasco

38
Q

Barone Ricasoli uses grapes from which parts of Chianti Classico?

They are credited with:

Their style is considered:

A

Gaiole and Castelnuovo Berardenga

Creating the first recipe for Chianti (now Chianti Classico)

Mixed; usage of new and used French barrique/tonneaux

39
Q

Castellare di Castellina’s grape-growing / winemaking style is considered:

Comprised of 4 estates:

Besides their Chianti Classico, what are their 3 Super-Tuscan wines?

A

Organic grape-growing combined with innovative, modern winemaking techniques.

Castellare / Caselle / San Niccolò / Le Case

Poggio ai Merli: 100% Merlot

Coniale: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

I Sodi di San Niccoló: 85% Sangioveto, 15% Malvasia Nera

All aged in a mix of new/used French barriques

40
Q

Where is the producer Castell’in VIlla located?

What is their winemaking style?

What is the name of their Super-Tuscan wine and their single-vineyard Chianti Classico Riserva?

A

Castelnuovo Berardenga, Chianti Classico

They are known for making very traditional and age-worthy wines, old/large barrels used for all wines except the Super-Tuscan.

“Santacroce”: 50/50 Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, 18 mo’s in barrique.

“Poggio delle Rose” CC Riserva

41
Q

Where is the producer Castello di Fonterutoli located?

What style of producer are they considered to be?

What is the composition of their “Ser Lapo” Chianti Classico Riserva?

“Siepi” Super-Tuscan?

A

Castellina, Chianti Classico

Although they are as “natural” as possible (gravity flow design, no temp. control, re-usage of waste), they showcase a modern winemaking technique, i.e. usage of Bordeaux varietals, small French and American oak barrels, etc…

“Ser Lapo”: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot.

“Siepi”: 50/50 Sangiovese and Merlot

42
Q

Where is the producer Il Borghetto located?

What is the general profile of this producer?

Besides Chianti Classico, what 2 Super-Tuscans do they produce?

What are they comprised of and how are they aged?

A

San Casciano Val di Pesa, Chianti Classico.

They are a young winery, with 2004 being their inaugural vintage. They are known for making eccentric choices, such as using Burgundy bottles, which are not allowed for Chianti Classico DOCG wines.

“Clante”: 100% Sangiovese. Aged 20 to 24 months in oak and one year in bottle. Clante is the name the Etruscans gave to the hills now known as Chianti Classico. Barrel selection of a barrel selection from the best vines of the Il Borghetto estate.

“Montigiano”: 100% Sangiovese, all purchased grapes. One year in a mix of concrete and oak vats.

43
Q

Where is the producer Il Paradiso di Manfredi located?

What style of winemaker are they considered to be?

What is their “Trentennale” wine?

A

Montalcino

Traditional, organic but not certified, only indigenous yeasts and large Slavonian oak barrels.

Trentennale is a celebration of the winery’s 30th vintage, labelled as Toscana Rosso IGT.

44
Q

Where is the producer La Porta di Vertine located?

What is their style of winemaking?

What is the name of their Super-Tuscan wine, what is it made with and how is it aged?

A

Gaiole, Chianti Classico

Non-interventionist, strict organic farming, long macerations.

“Sassi Chiusi”: 60/40 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in large oak casks for 18 months.

45
Q

Where is the producer Querciabella located?

Describe the type of farming employed:

A

Greve, Chianti Classico

  • One of the first biodynamic estates in Chianti: Organic since 1988, 100% Bio since 2000.
  • Cruelty-free biodynamics: no animal-derived products.
  • Old vines and dry farming employed in increase concentration.
46
Q

Where is the producer San Giusto a Rentennano located?

Describe their farming practices:

What is the name of their Riserva wine and 2 Super-Tuscan wines?

A

Gaiole, very southern part of Chianti Classico.

100% Certified Organic since 2006, sustainable energy practices.

Chianti Classico “Le Baroncole” Riserva: Aged in French barriques.

“Percarlo”: 100% Sangiovese from the estate’s best vineyards. Aged 2 years in barrique.

“La Ricolma”: 100% Merlot aged 2 years in barrique.

47
Q

Describe wines from Montalcino of the following vintages:

2017

2016

2015

A

2017: Very hot, very dry year. Wines are flamboyant, racy, exuberant.

2016: Long, balanced growing season. Wines are aromatically expressive and nuanced, but might lack depth.

2015: Most balanced of the three; combination of richness and depth from the warm weather that year, along with good structure.

48
Q

Where is the producer Sesti located?

What is the name of their Riserva bottling?

Their farming is ___ and ____.

A

Castello di Argiano, SW Montalcino.

“Phenomena”

Organic / Biodynamic / Natural

49
Q

Where in Chianti Classico is the producer Rocca di Montegrossi located?

What is the name of their Gran Selezzione?

What is the name of their Super-Tuscan, and what is it made with?

A

Monti in Chianti, Gaiole

“San Marcellino”

“Geremia”; 70% Merlot / 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.

50
Q

The producer Fontodi is located in which part of Chianti Classico?

Fontodi is one of the pioneers of _______

Their top Chianti Classico is:

2 Super-Tuscan wines they produce are:

Their wine-making style is considered:

A

Greve

Monovarietal wines in Chianti Classico (using 100% Sangiovese)

Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo (contained Cabernet Sauvignon until the 2012 vintage.)

Flaccianello (100% Sangiovese, best grapes aged in barrique.)

Dino (100% Sangiovese, aged in amphorae.)

Modern, only French oak is used (ranging from used to 100% new barrels.)