IT: Tuscany Flashcards
Chianti’s 1st demarcation? Other regions?
1716, by Cosimo III de’Medici
Chianti
Pomino
Valdarno
Carmignano
What winery did Bettino Ricasoli’s family own?
Castello di Brolio
What variety was historically dominant in the Chianti blend before pre-Ricasoli?
Canaiolo
When was Chianti original 7 subzones drawn? When/what was the last subzone?
1932
Montespertoli, 1997
The first iterations of Tignanello were labelled via what DOC? When/why did this change?
Chianti Classico Riserva
*the 1971 added Cabernet Sauvignon, which then defaulted this wine to Vino de Tavola
First monovarietal Sangiovese Super Tuscan?
San Felice’s Vigorello, 1968
(now a Cab-Merlot blend)
What year did Chianti become a DOCG?
1984
What year did Chianti Classico separate from the regular Chianti DOCG?
1996
What year did Chianti Classico forbid white grapes in the blend?
2005
The Gallo Nero was the symbol of which of Chianti Classico’s villages, historically?
Radda, dating to the 1300s
What are Chianti Rufina’s 2 most prominent producers?
Frescobaldi
Selvapiana
Chianti Colli Senesi overlaps with what 2 other major growing areas?
Montalcino
Montepulciano
Chianti Rufina overlaps with part of what other DOC?
Pomino DOC
What soil type is galestro?
Friable schistic clay
What soil type is albarese?
Compact clay and limestone found in the Chianti region.
What is macigno?
grayish-blue sandstone; more accurately - a mix of sands and compacted sands.
Typical to the southern portion of Chianti Classico - particularly Greve
Drainage is great - too good for drought years.
(ma-she-knee-oh)
The Pomino DOC overlaps with what other growing area?
Chianti Rufina
Who is the biggest producer in Pomino DOC?
Frescobaldi, with a near monopoly on production. They control almost all of the best land in the center of the DOC, farming at 500 to 700M
Grapes for Pomino Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice?
Vin Santo: Chardonnay, Trebbiano, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: Sangiovese, max 50% Pinot Nero and/or Merlot
Pomino DOC assemblage
Chardonnay, Sauvignon
Merlot, Pinot Nero
Min. 85% of stated variety
Outside of Tuscany, Ansonica is grown widely in ___________ and known as _________?
Sicily, Inzolia
Prior to 1975, the wines of Carmignano were sold as ________?
Chianti Montalbano
What styles of wine are made in the Carmignano DOCG?
Rosso/Rosso Riserva only
* Min. 50% Sangiovese, 10 - 20% Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc
*max. 20% Canaiolo Nero, max. 10% some white varieties and max. 10% everything else
Carmignano DOCG vs. Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC
Rosso/Rosato - same assemblage as Carmignano (Mostly Sangiovese with a mandated amount of Cab Sauv/Franc, possibly some Caniaolo Nero and other things)
The Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC is basically the DOCG minus the constraints on aging, etc as well as the authorization to make rosato. It became its own in 1994.
Named for the Medici’s game reserve - but the connection is unclear.
What is a ‘caratello’?
a small wooden keg traditionally used for the production of Vino Santo and Aceto Balsamico (balsamic vinegar). Between 50 - 150L. Might be oak, cherry, chestnut or pear tree.
Carmignano DOCG aging?
Normale: min 8 months in oak or chestnut. Not to be released until June 1 year 2 post harvest
Riserva: min. 12 - may not be released until Sept 29 (feast of St. Michael) of 3rd year post harvest
What day marks the release date for Carmignano Riserva DOCG?
Sept 29 - the Feast of St. Michael
(Vino de Talha is Nov 11/St Martin)
Colli dell’Etruria DOC
Overlaps Chianti DOCG. This is Chianti’s answer to Brunello’s Rosso and Carmignano’s Barco Reale.
Colli di Luni DOC
*shared with Tuscany
*Varietal whites can be made from Vermentino and Albarola. *Sangiovese-based reds. Bianco blends of Vermentino + Trebbiano.
Where is the Colline Lucchesi DOC?
Northern Tuscany, named for the city of Lucca
Cortona DOC
*varietal: Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah
*Bianco, min. 70% Trebbiano, Grechetto, and/or Malvasia Bianca
*Rosso, 50 - 60% Syrah with 10 - 20% Merlot with max 30% other varieties
Eastern Tuscany - near Umbrian border
What is the flagship wine of the island of Elba?
Aleatico Passito, named DOCG in 2010
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG:
- Varietal requirement?
- min. sugar?
- min. alcohol?
100% Aleatico (red)
min. 12% ABV
min. 10 days air drying
min. 30% sugar content, post-fermentation
*Tenuta Le Ripalte
The island of Elba is located in what sea?
Tyrrhenian Sea
What DOC exists as an “looser” alternative to the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG?
Grance Senesi DOC
What is the Italian term for marc?
Pomace
Italian regions best known for Grappa production
Veneto
Tuscany
Piemonte
Friuli
Giovane Grappa
Pure, unaged
Grappa Affinata
Aged >12m in wood
Grappa Invecchiata/Vecchia
12 - 18 months in wood
Grappa Stravecchia
Min. 18 months in oak
(invecchiata/vecchia = 12-18m)
Italian grappa producers
Jacopo Poli
Nardini
Nonino
Give an example of an oak aged grappa.
Jacopo Poli
What is the difference between grappa and acquavita d’uva?
Grappa is distilled from pomace. Acquavita d’uva is distilled from whole grape must - similar to French eau de vie.
Montecarlo DOC
NW Tuscany - Trebbiano-based whites, Sangiovese based reds and some Vin Santo production
Montecucco DOC
Grosseto Province
*Min. 60% Sangiovese
*min 12% ABV (vs DOCG’s 13/13.5%)
*release Sept 1 of next year. 12 months in wood, 6 in bottle
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
- varietal requirement
- ABV
- Aging
- 2 major producers
- min. 90% Sangiovese
- min. ABV 13%, 13.5% for RSVA
- min. 1 year in oak.
- RSVA 24 in oak, 6 months in bottle.
*separated in from Montecucco DOC in 2011
Livio Sassetti La Querciolina, ColleMassari Lombrone / Montecucco RSVA
Morellino di Scansano DOC rules
Rosso and Rosso Riserva only
Grosseto
*Min. 85% Sangiovese + max. 15% “other”
*Min 12.5% / 13% for RSVA abv
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC styles
Min. 85% Moscato Bianco
Tranquilo, Frizzante, Vendemmia Tardiva
Pomino DOC
*Rufina (commune)
*Frescobaldi dominates production - Castello di Pomino
*Varietal wines: Chard, Pinot, Merlot, Sauvignon
*Min. 70% PG, PB, and/or Chard Bianco - all styles
*Sangiovese-based reds
What are the maximum altitude limitations set for the Pomino DOC?
650M for red grapes
800M for white grapes
What is the varietal composition in a bottle of Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG?
Min. 40% Sangiovese
Max. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot
Max. 20% “others” except Aleatico
Montalcino sits within what province?
Siena
What is Incontro Bruni 54?
A hybrid crossing of Vernaccia x Sauvignon Blanc
The Sant’Antimo DOC shares almost the exact boundaries as what 2 other DOC(G)s?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC
Sant’Antimo DOC varieties?
Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon
Pinot Nero, Cab Sauv, Merlot
A producer making Vin Santo in Montalcino would have what options for a DOC?
Vin Santo di Montepulcian DOC (if in area)
Sant’Antimo DOC
Suvereto was previously a named subzone of what DOC?
Val di Cornia DOC
What styles of wine are made under the Suvereto DOCG?
ROSSO/RSVA: Cab Sauv and/or Merlot
VARIETALLY LABELLED (min 85%):
* Sangiovese/Riserva
* Merlot/Riserva
* Cabernet Sauvignon/Riserva
Suvereto DOCG grapes/styles
Rosso: Merlot and/ or Cab Sauv, Varietal: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cab
Where is the Val d’Arno di Sopra DOC?
Northeastern Tuscany, in the Arezzo province
*Petrolo is a commonly seen producer
What 4 Tuscan DOC’s are dedicated to Vin Santo?
Vin Santo de Chianti DOC
Vin Santo de Chianti Classico DOC
Vin Santo de Carmignano DOC
Vin Santo de Montepulciano DOC
Which of Tuscany’s DOCGs is the largest in terms of planting and volume? Which is the 2nd largest? How do they compare size-wise?
Chianti DOCG with about 15.5k ha planted is by far the largest. Chianti Classico comes in 2nd with 6.5k
Tuscan white wine DOCG
Only Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which is dedicated to white wine only.
Tuscany’s DOCG allow for dessert wine styles
Elba Aleatico Passito only
Which of Tusncay’s DOCG is smallest in terms of size/production? 2nd smallest?
Rosso della Val di Cornia with only about 6ha planted
Elba Aleatico Passito is 2nd smallest with about 12 dedicated hectares
What is the minimum ABV set for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - normale and riserva?
12.5%
(same for RSVA)
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Normale: min. 2 years in wood with at least 4 months in bottle. Cannot be sold before Jan. 1 of 5th year after harvest.
Riserva: min. 2 years in wood with at least 6 in bottle. Not to be sold until the 6th year post-harvest.
Brunello’s Sangiovese biotype?
Brunello aka Sangiovese Grosso
(larger berried, thicker skins)
“little dark one”
Trivia: prior to the end of WW2, which vintages had Biondi-Santi managed to produce Brunello?
1888
1891
1925
1945
*Biondi-Santi was the only firm producing Brunello at the close of the war and had only actually made 4 vintages. Others began to pick up the style around this time.
What was the maximum elevation allowed for plantings historically in the Brunello DOCG? What year was this requirement removed?
600M
2015
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG planting density?
min. 4000 vines per hectare. Same for the Rosso DOC. Prior to 2015, the requirement was 3000 vines per hectare.