Italy: Tuscany Flashcards
What is the name for the traditional Chianti bottle?
a fiasco- straw wrapped
List major white grapes in Tuscany
Trebbiano Toscano*
Malvasia
Vernaccia
Vermentino
Also: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Chianti DOCG- subzones (7)
Classico
Ruffina
Colli Senesi
Colli Fiorentini
Colline Pisane
Colli Aretini
Montalbano
What DOC is nested inside Chianti Ruffina?
Pomino DOC.
Frescobaldi (larger) and Selvapiana are here!
Chanti DOCG- permitted varieties?
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
Chianti DOCG Aging Requirements - normale
normale (and all subzones not listed below): may be released March 1 yr following harvest
Montespertoli: June 1
Colli Fiorentini and Rufina: Sept 1
Chianti DOCG Riserva aging
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
Chianti Superiore
May not be released until September 1 of the year following the harvest
What is governo?
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
When did Chianti and Chianti Classico achieve DOCG status?
together in 1984
Chianti Classico separately in 1996
What were the original 4 villages of Chianti Classico?
Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve
What are the permitted grapes in Chianti Classico DOCG? Gran Selezione?
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
Chianti Classico DOCG aging
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)
Chianti Classico min abv
Chianti Classico: 12%
Riserva: 12.5%
Gran Selezione: 13%
Chianti DOCG starts at 11.5%
Chianti min abv
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%
Who is credited with inventing the Brunello style?
Clemente Santi, of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi Santi
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
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
What are the soil types in Chianti Classico?
top vineyards on Galestro: soft, marl; and Alberese: sandstone
macigno, is a grayish-blue sandstone
calcareous tufa, found in the south.
macigno
grey-blue sandstone found in Chianti
What are the soil types in Montalcino?
Galestro (marl) in higher altitude vineyards
Clay in the southern reaches
Fossilized marine desposits throughout
What are the sub-communes of Montalcino?
also called frazione (like a suburb)
Sant Angelo
Castelnuovo Abate
Torrenieri
Name 2 modernist producers of Brunello
Casanova di Neri
Mastrojanni
both use shorter (warmer) fermentations, and small barrique
Name 3 traditional producers of Brunello
(longer fermentations, larget barrels)
Biondi-Santi
Talenti
Soldera
What DOC in Montalcino allows for “super tuscan” style wines?
Sant’Antimo DOC- allows, but not required.
Created 1996
What DOC in Montalcino allows white wines?
Moscadello di Montalcino. (moscato bianco)
Often sweet, may be still or sparkling.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
grapes, aging, geography
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
‘Other’ appellations with Sangiovese as main red grape in Tuscany
Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Carmignano DOCG
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG
Suvereto DOCG
What were the OG Super Tuscans? Their main grapes?
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
List 3 of the OG all Sangiovese Super Tuscans
Isole e Olena ‘Cepparello’
Montevertine ‘La Pergole Torte’
San Felice ‘Vigorello’ (although its now a bdx blend)
Bolgheri DOC
grapes allowed to be bottled varietally: Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, Vermentino, Sauvignon
grapes allowed in blends: Sangiovese, Syrah, other red Tuscan grapes
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Grapes
Aging
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
What DOCG allows white wine in Tuscany?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
What are the main grapes for Tuscan vin santo?
Trebbiano and Malvasia. Grechetto sometimes allowed
Sangiovese allowed in rose (Occhio di Pernice)
Varietal Merlot Super Tuscans?
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”
Varietal Sangiovese Super Tuscans
(6)
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)
Varietal Syrah Super Tuscans?
Tenimenti d’Allesandro “Il Bosco”
Le Macchiole “Scrio”
Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscans?
Felsina “Maestro Raro”
Monsanto “Nemo”
Montepeloso “Gabbro”
Varietal Cabernet Franc Super Tuscans?
Duemani “Duemani”
Le Macchiole “Paleo Rosso”
Antinori Tignanello - grapes?
75-85% Sangiovese with CS & CF
1971 first vintage
was previously Chianti Cls Ris, changed when they added Cabernet
Antinori Solaia - grapes?
75% Cabernet w/CF and Sangiovese
1978 first vintage
Antinori Guado al Tasso - grapes?
50-65% Cabernet
30-40% Merlot
+ others
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte - grapes?
100% Sangioveto, traditional name for Sangiovese in Chianti.
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Ornellaia” - grapes?
Cabernet, Merlot, CF, Petit Verdot
1985 first vintage
Tenuta dell’Ornellaia “Masseto” grapes?
100% Merlot
Tenuta san Guido “Sassicaia” grapes?
85% Cab Sauv
15% Cab Franc
1969 first vintage
When was the Chianti region initially defined? By whom?
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
What impacts did Bettino Ricasoli have on Chianti?
- 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
When was Chianti granted DOC status?
- It was upgraded to DOCG in 1984
When did Chianti Classico gain DOCG status?
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
What do Colli and Colline refer to?
hills in the Tuscan countryside
What are the requirements for Gran Selezione Chianti Classico?
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)
List the subzones of Chianti Classico (Gran Selezione only)
Castellina,
Castelnuovo Berardenga,
Gaiole,
Greve,
Lamole,
Montefioralle,
Panzano,
Radda - high elevation
San Casciano,
San Donato in Poggio,
Vagliagli
Which subzone of Chianti Classico has the highest elevation?
Radda, at above 650 meters
What was the Chianti Classico 2000 initiative?
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
What does Canaiolo add to the blend in Chianti?
It enhances “finesse and precision,” - it’s light and pretty, doesn’t make the wine more intense or structured
What does Colorino add to the blend in Chianti?
Colorino is often employed to add pigment to Chianti and Chianti Classico wines, darkening the otherwise light-red Sangioves
List 3 producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Avignonesi
Boscarelli
Contucci Mullinvecchio
Marchesi Antinori
Poliziano Asinone
Salcheto
Italy’s first DOC
Vernaccia di San Gimignano, awarded in 1966. Upgraded to DOCG in 1993
Apossitoio
room where grapes are dried for Vin Santo
Caratelli
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
Chianti Classico communes of production
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
Radda
commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico
highest elevation at 650 m
producers: Montevertine, Volpaia
Gaiole
commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico
producers: Badia a Coltibuono, Castello di Ama
Greve
commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico
producers: Fontodi, Quercibella
Castellina
commune of production / subzone of Chianti Classico
producer: Fattoria Rodano
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
rosso
100% Aleatico (minimum 10 days of air drying and 30% sugar content)
Min 19% potential, 12% actual ABC
Top producing DOC/G Tuscany
- Chianti DOCG 720,400 hl
- Chianti Classico DOCG 413,200 hl
- Morellino di Scansanso DOCG 69,400 hl
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 63,000 hl
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 53,500 hl
top 5 are all DOCG- DOC produce less wine
Carmignano DOCG
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
DOC/G specifically for Vin Santo in Tuscany
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Vin Santo del Carmignano DOC
Vin Santo del Montepulciano DOC
quercus robur
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
Pomino DOC
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
First mono-varietal super tuscan?
San Felipe “Vigorello” was 100% Sangiovese, first vintage 1968.
now a Cabernet - Merlot blend
Volcano in Tuscany?
Monte Amiata
dominates the landscape of Montecucco DOC
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Vistamare
white super tuscan!
Vermentino, Viognier, Fiano
White super tuscans
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
What 4 regions were demarcated with the 1716 edict in Tuscany?
1716, by Cosimo III de’Medici
Chianti
Pomino
Valdarno
Carmignano
Chianti Colli Senesi overlaps with what 2 other major growing areas?
Montalcino
Montepulciano
Cortona DOC
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
Vino Nobile Pieve
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.
