Italy : Toscana

Question 1

Who released the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia (1968)

Answer 1

Marquis Mario Roccheta

Question 2

What are Italy’s most planted red and white grape?

Answer 2

Red: Sangiovese

White: Trebbiano Toscano

Question 3

What are the eight subzones of Chianti?

Answer 3

Chianti Classico
Chianti Rufina
Chianti Colli Fiorentini
Chianti Colli Senesi
Chianti Colline Pisane
Chianti Colli Aretini
Chianti Montalbano
Chianti Montespertoli (added in 1997)

Question 4

Who are the two producers within the Pomino DOC?

Answer 4

Frescobaldi

Fattoria Selvapiana

Question 5

Describe the traditional process of governo (practiced in Tuscany).

Answer 5

Refermentation with the juice of dried grapes

Question 6

Chianti DOCG must have at least what percentage of Sangiovese?

Answer 6

70%

75% in Colli Senesi

Question 7

After how many years of aging can a Chianti DOCG be labeled riserva?

Answer 7

Two

Question 8

What are the four original villages of Chianti?

Answer 8

Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve

Question 9

What are the two soil types of Chianti Classico?

Answer 9

galestro - soft, friable and marl-like
(Sangiovese thrives on galestro)

alberese - sandstone

Question 10

What percentage of the Chianti Classico blend must contain Sangiovese?

Answer 10

80%

Question 11

What is the minimum percentage of alcohol for Chianti Classico? Chianti DOCG?

Answer 11

Chianti Classico - 12%

Chianti DOCG - 11.5%

Question 12

What is the often the barrel of choice for riserva Chianti Classico?

Answer 12

Barrique

Question 13

How long must Chianti Classico Riserva wines be aged and what is their minimum abv? Gran Selezione?

Answer 13

Riserva - Must be aged 24 months, with a 12.5% abv minimum

Gran Selezione - Must be aged 30 months, with 12.5% abv minimum

Question 14

Who was credited with the invention of the Brunello style, as the producer who first isolated the Brunello clone and bottled is as a varietal wine?

Answer 14

Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi

Question 15

When was the first release of the Biondi-Santi Brunello Riserva?

Answer 15

1888

Question 16

In which of the eight Chianti subzones does the hill of Montalcino overlap with?

Answer 16

Chianti Senesi

Question 17

What is the Sangiovese clone of Brunello di Montalcino called (other than Brunello)?

Answer 17

Sangiovese Grosso

Question 18

When can producers release their Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 18

The wine may not be released until January 1st of the fifth year following harvest, or until the 6th year for riserva bottlings.

Question 19

What are the frazioni (suburbs, or sub-communes) of Montalcino?

Answer 19

Sant Angelo (Colle), Castelnuovo Abate, Torrenieri

Question 20

Which of the following Brunello producers use smaller barrels and which ones use more traditional approaches:

Casanova di Neri
Biondi-Santi
Talenti
Mastrojanni
Soldera

Answer 20

Modern - Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni

Traditional - Biondi-Santi, Talenti, Soldera

Question 21

What are the aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino DOC?

Answer 21

Wines must be aged for one year prior to release, although cask aging is not required.

Question 22

What kinds of wine are produced for Sant’Antimo DOC?

Answer 22

It provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super Tuscans.” Any grape authorized in Tuscany may be utilized for Sant’Antimo DOC, and the wines may be either red or white.

Question 23

What are the Moscadello di Montalcino DOC wines composed of?

Answer 23

White wines from Montalcino using the Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) grape. These wines are often sweet, and may be still or sparkling.

Question 24

When was Vino Nobile di Montepulciano awarded status as a DOCG?

Answer 24

1980

Question 25

What is the Sangiovese clone for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Answer 25

Prugnolo Gentile

Question 26

What is the composition of wines labeled Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Answer 26

A minimum 70% Sangiovese, maximum 30% other Tuscan varieties.

No more than 5% white grapes.

Question 27

How long is Vino Nobile de Montepulciano aged for?

Answer 27

A minimum of 2 years, one year in wood. Riservas are aged for at least 3 years.