Chianti Classico/Brunello di Montalcino Flashcards by Jenni Beard

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

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

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

Chianti Classico / Montalcino

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The Brunello clone is also known as __

Sangiovese Grosso

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

Napa Valley

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

Castelnuovo dell’ Abate

Sant’Angelo in Colle

Torrenieri

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

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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Trebbiano Toscano is synonymous with grape?

Ugni Blanc

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Castello Banfi is located in which region?

Specifically which appellation?

Traditional or Modern?

Toscana, Italy.

Montalcino

Modern (high use of barriques)

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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

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

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

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

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What are the 5 main villages in Chianti Classico?

Gaiole

Radda

Castellina

Castelnuovo Berardenga

Greve

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Where is the producer Canalicchio di Sopra located?

North Montalcino / Toscana

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

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

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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Who is the producer of “Redigaffi”?

What grapes are used?

How is it aged?

Tua Rita
100% Merlot.
100% new French oak for 18 to 20 months.

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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:

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

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

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

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

24 Months

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

Prugnolo Gentile

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

Mediterranean Sea

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?

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

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)?

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.

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

What are their characteristics?

“Galestro”: soft, friable marl.

“Alberese”: sandstone.

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

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

Where is the producer Poggio Antico located? What elevation are their vineyards? Are they considered modern or traditional?

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.

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

Mountainous Chianti in the north Hills and valleys in the south Flat coastal plain

What is Chianti Gran Selezione? Labelling conditions?

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

1. What is the only DOCG in Toscana for white wine? 2. What is the only DOCG for dessert wine?

1. Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2. Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG

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

Lower altitude so warmer but with cool maritime breezes Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 100% Sangiovese Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG - Mostly Sangiovese and others

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

Clemente Santi

In which part of Chianti Classico is Montevertine located?

Radda

Chianti Classico DOCG is from which region? Based mainly on which grape?

Toscana min. 80% Sangiovese

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

Sangiovese Late ripening, needs warmth, High acidity and tannin, red cherries and plums. Usually oak aged to soften tannins and add spicy flavours

What are 4 grapes allowed in Chianti Classico besides Sangiovese?

Colorino, Canaiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot.

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

A Black Rooster

Besides Chianti Classico, there are 7 sub zones in Chianti, where do the best wines come from? What are the other 5?

Highest quality sub-zones are Chianti Ruffina DOCG and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG Colli Aretini Colli Fiorentini Colline Pisane Montalbano Montespertoli

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

Fiasco

Describe wines from Montalcino of the following vintages: 2017 2016 2015

**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.