Italian Aging Regimen

Question 0

What is the recipe for Chianti Classico?

Answer 0

80-100% pure Sangiovese
Max 20% other red grapes- Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cab Sauv, Merlot

AS IF 2006: White grapes are no longer allowed!!! Trebbiano Toscana and Malvasia no longer allowed!!!

Question 1

What is the recipe and aging for Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 1

Produced from 100% Sangiovese Grosso;
Aged in cask for 2 years and bottled an additional 4 months; released Jan 1st, the 5th year after harvest

Riserva-aged for extra 6 months in bottle; released January 1st, the 6th year after harvest.

Question 2

What is the aging regimen for Chianti Classico DOCG?

Including “Gran Selezione”–the new category as of 2013

Answer 2

Chianti Classico: may not be released until October 1st of year following harvest

Riserva: min. 24 moths aging from Jan.1 of year following harvest

Gran Selezione: produced from estate fruit–min. 30 month aging from Jan. 1 of year following harvest–3 months on bottle

Question 3

What is the recipe for Chianti DOCG?

Which sub zone is a little different?

Answer 3

70-100% Sangiovese

Max 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana

The addition of white grapes is now OPTIONAL rather than mandatory with a MAX of 10%Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia

MAX 15% combined Cab Sauv/Franc

Colli Senesi has a slightly different recipe starting with a minimum 75% SanG

Question 4

Colli Senesi recipe is different than Chianti DOCG–

Answer 4

75-100% SANGIOVESE

Same for white grapes–“optional” up to 10% max (Trebbiano Toscana/Malvasia)

MAX 10% Cab Sauv/Franc

Colli Sinesi has a slightly higher minimum percent of SanG; same for whites; 5% lower international varieties

Question 5

Chianti DOCG Aging Requirements:

Answer 5

Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi, Montalbano, and Colline Pisane:
May not be released until March 1st of year following the harvest

Montespertoli:
May not be released until June 1st of year following harvest

Colli Fiorentini and Colli Rufina may not be released until September 1st of year following harvest

Question 6

Lombardy: Franciacorta DOCG: Permitted grape varietals and two famous producers:

Answer 6

Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, max 50% Pinot Bianco

Guido Berlucchi (released region’s first modern sp wine of the region)

Mauricio Zanella’s Ca’Del Bosco, “Annamaria Clementi” prestige cuvee

Question 7

Lombardy: Aging for Franciacorta NV

Answer 7

NV–18 months lees, may not be released until 25 months after harvest

Rose–min 25% Pinot Nero; blending rather than saignee

Rose–

Question 8

Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG–grapes and aging:

Answer 8

Min 70% Pinot Nero; if they achieve 85% then may be labeled Pinot Nero and PN rose

NV-15 months lees
V-2 years on lees

Question 9

Aging regimin for Franciacorta Millesimato and Franciacorta Millesimato Riserva:

Answer 9

V–Millesimato–May not be released for a minimum of 37 months, unlike Champ, requires only 85% grapes harvested in stated year.

May be labeled Reserva if aged for 5 years on lees, with release after 67 months.

Question 10

What is Franciacorta “Saten?”

Answer 10

“Saten”- white grapes only; bottled less than 5 atmospheres-