D3 - Tuscany Flashcards
What is the general climate of Tuscany?
Warm Mediterranean.
What provides the cooling influence in inland Tuscany?
Altitude (Apennines).
When does most of the rain fall in Tuscany?
Autumn and winter.
What are the climate hazards of Tuscany?
- Spring frost (occasional);
- Hail;
- Rain at harvest;
- Summer drought;
- Prolonged high temperatures in some years (which leads to incomplete ripening due to photosynthesis stopping).
What is the main grape variety (of either color) grown in Tuscany?
Sangiovese.
Give a quick profile of wine made from Sangiovese.
- Medium ruby;
- Red cherry/plum, herbal notes;
- Med-Full body;
- High Acid;
- High Tannin.
What is Sangiovese known as in Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile.
In Tuscany, why is Sangiovese prone to late spring frosts and early autumn rain?
Because it buds early and ripens late.
- Because Sangiovese is a late ripener, where should it be planted and in which direction should the vineyard face?
- At what elevation are the better vineyards planted?
- On slopes facing south or south-east.
- Planted 200-550m asl which helps grapes achieve full ripeness.
- Sangiovese grows best on what types of soil?
- What other soil type does it grow just ok on?
- Best on friable shale and limestone soils;
- Does ok on clay.
Select the correct answer.
Sangiovese is a:
a. non-vigorous variety so canopy management is not necessary
b. vigorous variety and its canopy needs to be managed regularly to avoid shading
b. Vigorous variety and its canopy need to be managed regularly to avoid shading.
Sangiovese can produce high yields so vignerons need to determine whether they want to go for quantity or quality.
Sangiovese has thin or thick skins?
What is Sangiovese susceptible to?
Thin skins, susceptible to botrytis bunch rot.
What is the main type of vine training seen in Tuscany?
Cordon trained and either spur- or cane-pruned with VSP.
Trebbiano Toscano is a white grape variety that buds ____.
Late.
It’s not at risk to spring frosts!
Select the correct answer.
Trebbiano Toscano is a variety that is:
a. Vigorous and high yielding
b. Vigorous and low yielding
c. Non-vigorous and high yielding
d. Non-vigorous and low yielding
a. Vigorous and high yielding
Why does Trebbiano Toscano perform so well in Tuscany?
It grows and ripens well in sun and heat while retaining acidity.
In Tuscany these days, what is the typical maceration time for Sangiovese meant for early consumption?
And for Sangiovese meant for bottle aging?
7-10 days of maceration for early consumption (medium tannins)
15-25 days of maceration for age-worthy wines (high tannins)
Chianti DOCG requires a minimum of what percent Sangiovese?
70-100%
Chianti DOCG does not allow Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc to be more than ___% of the blend.
15%
Which of the following statements is true?
- Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti DOCG.
- Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG.
Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti DOCG.
Though they are rarely used
Note that no white grapes are allowed in Chianti CLASSICO.
What is the maximum percent of white grapes allowed in Chianti DOCG?
10%
It’s usually Trebbiano Toscano.
The minimum abv in Chianti DOCG is __%.
The minimum abv in the Chianti subzones is __%
Chianti DOCG: 11.5% minimum
Chianti subzones: 12% minimum
The maximum permitted yield in Chianti DOCG is ___hL/ha.
63 hL/ha (moderately high)
When can Chianti DOCG be released to market?
The March following harvest.
Is oak aging required for Chianti DOCG or Chianti DOCG Riserva?
No.
What is the minimum aging requirement for Chianti DOCG Riserva?
2 years.