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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Italy: Tuscany > Flashcards

Italy: Tuscany Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

What is the name for the traditional Chianti bottle?

A

a fiasco- straw wrapped

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2
Q

List major white grapes in Tuscany

A

Trebbiano Toscano*
Malvasia
Vernaccia
Vermentino

Also: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc

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3
Q

Chianti DOCG- subzones (7)

A

Classico
Ruffina
Colli Senesi
Colli Fiorentini
Colline Pisane
Colli Aretini
Montalbano

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4
Q

What DOC is nested inside Chianti Ruffina?

A

Pomino DOC.

Frescobaldi (larger) and Selvapiana are here!

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5
Q

Chanti DOCG- permitted varieties?

A

70-100% Sangiovese

Maximum 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana (canaiolo, ciliegiolo, etc)
Maximum 10% white grapes
Maximum 15% combined CS &CF

-Chianti Colli Senesi-
minimum 75% sangiovese
max 25% other red grapes
max 10% white grapes
max 10% combined CS & CF

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6
Q

Chianti DOCG Aging Requirements - normale

A

normale (and all subzones not listed below): may be released March 1 yr following harvest

Montespertoli: June 1

Colli Fiorentini and Rufina: Sept 1

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7
Q

Chianti DOCG Riserva aging

A

Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following harvest

For Colli Fiorentini Riserva and Rufina Riserva, a minimum 6 months of the total aging period must occur in wood

For Colli Senesi Riserva, a minimum 8 months of the total aging must occur in wood and 4 months in bottle

note: only the subzones Colli Fiorentini, Rufina, and Colli Senesi require time spent in wood

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8
Q

Chianti Superiore

A

May not be released until September 1 of the year following the harvest

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9
Q

What is governo?

A

In chianti, refers to re-fermentation with the juice of dried grapes - helps stuck fermentations. Also increases the abv, initiates malolactic fermentation.

temperature controlled tanks have rendered this process unnecessary, but some producers (Banfi, Villa Puccini) still use it. Must be labelled on the bottle to use

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10
Q

When did Chianti and Chianti Classico achieve DOCG status?

A

together in 1984

Chianti Classico separately in 1996

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11
Q

What were the original 4 villages of Chianti Classico?

A

Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve

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12
Q

What are the permitted grapes in Chianti Classico DOCG? Gran Selezione?

A

80-100% Sangiovese

Maximum 20% other red grapes authorized by Siena and Firenze (i.e. Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)

As of the 2006 vintage, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco are no longer allowed

Gran Selezione: min 90% Sangiovese, max 10% other red grapes

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13
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG aging

A

Chianti Classico: May not be released until October 1 of the year following the harvest

Riserva: Minimum 24 months aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, including 3 months in the bottle

Gran Selezione: Minimum 30 months aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, including at least 3 months in the bottle (new category was approved in 2014 for wines beginning with the 2010 vintage)

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14
Q

Chianti Classico min abv

A

Chianti Classico: 12%
Riserva: 12.5%
Gran Selezione: 13%

Chianti DOCG starts at 11.5%

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15
Q

Chianti min abv

A

Rosso/Colli Aretini/Colline Pisane/Montalbano: 11.5%

Colli Fiorentini/Colli Senesi/Montespertoli/Rufina: 12%
Superiore/Riserva without a subzone: 12%

Riserva with a subzone excluding Colli Senesi: 12.5%
Colli Senesi Riserva: 13%

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16
Q

Who is credited with inventing the Brunello style?

A

Clemente Santi, of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi Santi

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17
Q

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

A

100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)

Brunello: Minimum 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle, may not be sold before January 1 of the 5th year following the harvest
(so, 2018 harvest released Jan 2023 at earliest)

Brunello Riserva: Minimum 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle, may not be sold before January 1 of the 6th year following the harvest

min 12.5% abv

“Vigna” (single vineyard)- no rectified grape must may be added

max yields:
Brunello: 54.4 hl/ha (8 tons)
Brunello Vigna: 47.6 hl/ha (7 tons)

rivers: Asso, Orcia, and Ombrone
soils: Galestro (marl) in higher altitude vineyards, clay in the southern reaches, fossilized marine desposits throughout

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18
Q

What are the soil types in Chianti Classico?

A

top vineyards on Galestro: soft, marl; and Alberese: sandstone

macigno, is a grayish-blue sandstone

calcareous tufa, found in the south.

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19
Q

macigno

A

grey-blue sandstone found in Chianti

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20
Q

What are the soil types in Montalcino?

A

Galestro (marl) in higher altitude vineyards

Clay in the southern reaches

Fossilized marine desposits throughout

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21
Q

What are the sub-communes of Montalcino?

A

also called frazione (like a suburb)

Sant Angelo
Castelnuovo Abate
Torrenieri

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22
Q

Name 2 modernist producers of Brunello

A

Casanova di Neri
Mastrojanni

both use shorter (warmer) fermentations, and small barrique

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23
Q

Name 3 traditional producers of Brunello

A

(longer fermentations, larget barrels)

Biondi-Santi
Talenti
Soldera

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24
Q

What DOC in Montalcino allows for “super tuscan” style wines?

A

Sant’Antimo DOC- allows, but not required.

Created 1996

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25
Q

What DOC in Montalcino allows white wines?

A

Moscadello di Montalcino. (moscato bianco)

Often sweet, may be still or sparkling.

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26
Q

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

grapes, aging, geography

A

min 70% Sangiovese
max 30% other varieties, including max 5% white varieties

min 12.5% abv; 13% Riserva

Normale: 24 months, with options:
- all 24 m in wood
- 18 m in wood, 6m in alternate container
-12 m in wood, 6m in bottle, 6m in alternate container

Riserva: 3 years

min 250 m, max 600 m elevation

between Ocria and the Chiana Rivers

volcanic and sandstone soils

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27
Q

‘Other’ appellations with Sangiovese as main red grape in Tuscany

A

Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Carmignano DOCG
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG
Suvereto DOCG

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28
Q

What were the OG Super Tuscans? Their main grapes?

A

1968 Sassicaia - made by Marquis Mario Rocchetta’s Tenuta San Guido. 85% CS 15% CF

1971 Tignanello - made by Antinori, 85% Sangiovese with Cabernet, new barrique

Also:
Ornellaia- bdx blend
Solaia (Antinori) 85% Cab with Sangiovese
Masseto (Ornellaia) - Merlot
Paleo Rosso (Le Macchiole) - Cab Franc

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29
Q

List 3 of the OG all Sangiovese Super Tuscans

A

Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’
Montevertine ‘La Pergole Torte’
San Felice ‘Vigorello’ (although its now a bdx blend)

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30
Q

Bolgheri DOC

A

grapes allowed to be bottled varietally: Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, Vermentino, Sauvignon

grapes allowed in blends: Sangiovese, Syrah, other red Tuscan grapes

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31
Q

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Grapes
Aging

A

Min. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, max. 20% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany

aged min 2 years, incl 18m in 225L barrique

was previously a subzone of Bolgheri, made it’s own DOC in 2013

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32
Q

What DOCG allows white wine in Tuscany?

A

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

33
Q

What are the main grapes for Tuscan vin santo?

A

Trebbiano and Malvasia. Grechetto sometimes allowed

Sangiovese allowed in rose (Occhio di Pernice)

34
Q

Varietal Merlot Super Tuscans?

A

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Masseto”
Le Macchiole “Messorio”
Tua Rita “Redigaffi”

Castello di Ama “L’Apparita”
Barone Ricasoli “Casalferro”
Boscarelli “Boscarelli”
La Capella “Cantico”
Frescobaldi “Lamaione”
Petrolo “Galatrona”
San Giusto a Rentennano “La Ricolma”

35
Q

Varietal Sangiovese Super Tuscans

A

Felsina “Fontolloro”
Isole e Olena “Cepparello”
Montevertine “Le Pergole Torte” (sangioveto)

Fontodi “Flaccianello della Pieve”
Poggio Scalette “Il Carbonaione”
Vecchie Terre de Montefili “Anfiteatro”

Antinori “Tignanello” - 75-85% w/CS and CF
Riecine “La Gioia” (predominantly Sangiovese)

36
Q

Varietal Syrah Super Tuscans?

A

Tenimenti d’Allesandro “Il Bosco”

Le Macchiole “Scrio”

37
Q

Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscans?

A

Felsina “Maestro Raro”

Monsanto “Nemo”
Montepeloso “Gabbro”

38
Q

Varietal Cabernet Franc Super Tuscans?

A

Duemani “Duemani”

Le Macchiole “Paleo Rosso”

39
Q

Antinori Tignanello - grapes?

A

75-85% Sangiovese with CS & CF

1971 first vintage

was previously Chianti Cls Ris, changed when they added Cabernet

40
Q

Antinori Solaia - grapes?

A

75% Cabernet w/CF and Sangiovese

1978 first vintage

41
Q

Antinori Guado al Tasso - grapes?

A

50-65% Cabernet
30-40% Merlot
+ others

42
Q

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte - grapes?

A

100% Sangioveto, traditional name for Sangiovese in Chianti.

43
Q

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Ornellaia” - grapes?

A

Cabernet, Merlot, CF, Petit Verdot

1985 first vintage

44
Q

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Masseto” grapes?

A

100% Merlot

45
Q

Tenuta san Guido “Sassicaia” grapes?

A

85% Cab Sauv
15% Cab Franc

1969 first vintage

46
Q

When was the Chianti region initially defined? By whom?

A

In 1716, Cosimo III de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, officially issued a bando, or “edict,” that drew the boundaries of the Chianti wine region, roughly corresponding to the modern Classico zone, as well as of Pomino, Carmignano, and Valdarno

47
Q

What impacts did Bettino Ricasoli have on Chianti?

A
  • inverted the (then) classic blend by vinifying a majority of Sangiovese with Canaiolo (previously, Canaiolo was the majority)
  • recommended blending in white grapes (Malvasia)
  • toured Burgundy and Bordeaux and adopted several winemaking practices. He shortened post-fermentation maceration periods and switched from using open-top to sealed fermentation vessels.
  • advocated for lower vine-training systems.
  • transitioned his wines from Fiasco to Bordeaux-shaped bottles
48
Q

When was Chianti granted DOC status?

A
  1. It was upgraded to DOCG in 1984
49
Q

When did Chianti Classico gain DOCG status?

A

It separated from Chianti in 1996

In 2005, white grape varieties were prohibited entirely in Chianti Classico.

Since 2010, it has been forbidden to produce Chianti within the bounds of Chianti Classico

50
Q

What do Colli and Colline refer to?

A

hills in the Tuscan countryside

51
Q

What are the requirements for Gran Selezione Chianti Classico?

A

Min 90% Sangiovese, no white grapes

Min 13% alcohol (12% Cls, 12.5 Ris)

Wines must be produced from estate fruit. Minimum 30 months aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, including at least 3 months in the bottle

(new category was approved in 2014 for wines beginning with the 2010 vintage, though wines from an earlier vintage can apply for this recognition pending they can provide documentation that demonstrates all requirements have been met)

52
Q

List the subzones of Chianti Classico (Gran Selezione only)

A

Castellina,
Castelnuovo Berardenga,
Gaiole,
Greve,
Lamole,
Montefioralle,
Panzano,
Radda - high elevation
San Casciano,
San Donato in Poggio,
Vagliagli

53
Q

Which subzone of Chianti Classico has the highest elevation?

A

Radda, at above 650 meters

54
Q

What was the Chianti Classico 2000 initiative?

A

it was a search for superior clonal material that would provide thicker skins and smaller berries to increase the skin-to-juice ratio; produce looser clusters to minimize disease pressure; and ripen earlier

Also provided critical research into ideal rootstocks to reduce vigor while increasing sugar production, increased vine density (5,000 to 7,000 vines per hectare is now considered ideal), and vine training, with a move toward Guyot systems rather than the more historic bush vine, or alberello, training

55
Q

What does Canaiolo add to the blend in Chianti?

A

It enhances “finesse and precision,” - it’s light and pretty, doesn’t make the wine more intense or structured

56
Q

What does Colorino add to the blend in Chianti?

A

Colorino is often employed to add pigment to Chianti and Chianti Classico wines, darkening the otherwise light-red Sangioves

57
Q

List 3 producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

A

Avignonesi
Boscarelli
Contucci Mullinvecchio
Marchesi Antinori
Poliziano Asinone
Salcheto

58
Q

Italy’s first DOC

A

Vernaccia di San Gimignano, awarded in 1966. Upgraded to DOCG in 1993

59
Q

Apossitoio

A

room where grapes are dried for Vin Santo

60
Q

Caratelli

A

fermentation and aging of Vin Santo

Traditional vessel for aging Vin Santo. Caratelli, usually 50L

could be cherry, acacia, peach, mulberry, or mixed stave barrels, most traditional is chestnuts

61
Q

Chianti Classico communes of production

A

Siena Province: Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi

Firenze Province: Greve in Chianti, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Barberino Tavarnelle

62
Q

Radda

A

commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico

highest elevation at 650 m

producers: Montevertine, Volpaia

63
Q

Gaiole

A

commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico

producers: Badia a Coltibuono, Castello di Ama

64
Q

Greve

A

commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico

producers: Fontodi, Quercibella

65
Q

Castellina

A

commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico

producer: Fattoria Rodano

66
Q

Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG

A

rosso

100% Aleatico (minimum 10 days of air drying and 30% sugar content)

Min 19% potential, 12% actual ABC

67
Q

Top producing DOC/G Tuscany

A
  1. Chianti DOCG 720,400 hl
  2. Chianti Classico DOCG 413,200 hl
  3. Morellino di Scansanso DOCG 69,400 hl
  4. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 63,000 hl
  5. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 53,500 hl

top 5 are all DOCG- DOC produce less wine

68
Q

Carmignano DOCG

A

in Tuscany

Minimum 50% Sangiovese
10-20% combined CF & CS
Maximum 20% Canaiolo Nero
Maximum 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo Bianco
Maximum 10% combined other red varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana (including, among others, Merlot, Syrah)

first DOC to require Cabernet in Tuscany, elevated to DOCG in 1990

69
Q

DOC/G specifically for Vin Santo in Tuscany

A

Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Vin Santo del Carmignano DOC
Vin Santo del Montepulciano DOC

70
Q

quercus robur

A

Slavonian Oak - tighter grained than French oak, thus the larger barrel sizes. Slavonia refers to a northern Balkan/former Yugoslavian region, now shared by several countries but most notably Croatia

71
Q

Pomino DOC

A

overlaps some with Chianti Ruffina

high elevation- so some different grapes here: Chardonnay, PG, PB, PN, Merlot

Varietal: Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, (Trebbiano for Vin Santo)

Red grapes: MAX 650m
White grapes: MAX 800m

Frescobaldi, Selvapiana producers

72
Q

First mono-varietal super tuscan?

A

San Felipe “Vigorello” was 100% Sangiovese, first vintage 1968.

now a Cabernet - Merlot blend

73
Q

Volcano in Tuscany?

A

Monte Amiata

dominates the landscape of Montecucco DOC

74
Q

Gaja Ca’Marcanda Vistamare

A

white super tuscan!

Vermentino, Viognier, Fiano

75
Q

White super tuscans

A

Poggio alla Gazze: Sauvignon blanc, viognier, vermentino, verdicchio (varieties and percentages vary by vintage) Bolgheri

Gaja vistamare. Also from Bolgheri a blend of vermentino and viognier with the viognier seeing some oak. More recent vintages have added fiano too. It’s the only white made at the Ca Marcanda estate.

Querciabella ‘Batar’, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco from Greve in Chianti

Ornellaia Toscana Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier from Bolgher

76
Q

What 4 regions were demarcated with the 1716 edict in Tuscany?

A

1716, by Cosimo III de’Medici
Chianti
Pomino
Valdarno
Carmignano

77
Q

Chianti Colli Senesi overlaps with what 2 other major growing areas?

A

Montalcino
Montepulciano

78
Q

Cortona DOC

A

Tuscany

Rosso, Riserva
Vin Santo / Vin Santo Riserva
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
Varietal wines from: Chardonnay, Grechetto, Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Syrah

minimum 50% - 60% Syrah
minimum 10% - 20% Merlot
maximum 30% other, non aromatic, red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana

79
Q

Vino Nobile Pieve

A

A Pieve is the local word for a parish, and Montepulciano has 12 of them. Starting with the 2021 vintage, a Vino Nobile may bear the name of its Pieve if its grapes come entirely from that Pieve, it has at least 90% Sangiovese, it has no foreign varieties, and it meets the aging requirements for a Riserva (three years). The first Pieves, from the 2021 vintage, will come on to the marketplace in 2025.

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (57 decks)

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