Italy - Tuscany

Question 1

Where is Tuscany?

Answer 1

Tuscany extends from the Ligurian Sea in the west to the foothills of the Apennine Mountains in the east.

Question 2

Locate Chianti, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Bolgheri on a map.

Question 3

What’s the climate in Tuscany?

Answer 3

Continental/Maritime, stronger Maritime influence with proximity to the coast.

Question 4

What are Tuscany’s white grape variety names?

Answer 4

Trebbiano, Vermentino, Vernaccia

Question 5

Physical features of Tuscany?

Answer 5

Apennine Mountains, Ligurian Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea

Question 6

What are Tuscany’s red grape variety names?

Answer 6

Sangiovese, Brunello/Sangiovese Grosso, Prugnolo Gentile, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Question 7

What kind of soil in Tuscany?

Answer 7

Galestro

Montalcino: Clay and marine sediments at lower elevation, Galestro at higher elevation.

Question 8

What are the wine laws of Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 8

wine law requires these wines be aged and stipulates minimum amount of aging.

Question 9

For Brunello di Montalcino, what’s the minimum aging requirements; use of large Slavonian or small barriques?

Question 10

What styles of wine are made in Tuscany?

Answer 10

Dry red wines
Dry white wines
Sweet Vin Santo

Question 11

Something to note about Sangiovese-based wine?

Answer 11

Sangiovese-based wines have a moderate intensity of color and tart acidity that outweighs tannin. Volatile Acidity is common in these wines.

Question 12

What’s volatile acidity? (VA)

Question 13

What are the classifications in Tuscany?

Answer 13

IGP, DOC, DOCG

Question 14

What’s Gran Selezione?

Question 15

Name Chianti Appellations

Answer 15

Chianti DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Rosso di Montalcino DOCG
Vin Santo

Question 16

By law, the percentage of grape varieties required in wines of the following appellations are:

Brunello di Montalcino:
Chianti Classico:
Chianti:

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Bolgheri DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Vin Santo DOCs (multiple)

Answer 16

Brunello di Montalcino: 100% Brunello
Chianti Classico: min 80% Sangiovese
Chianti: min 70% Sangiovese

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Bolgheri DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Vin Santo DOCs (multiple)

Question 17

Name and explain the label terms of Tuscany.

Answer 17

Superiore: Increased alcohol level required
Classico: Classic center of a region
Riserva: Longer aging times required
Gran Selezione:

Question 18

What’s a Super Tuscan?

Answer 18

Super Tuscan: Can be Bordeaux grape variety blends, Bordeaux varieties with Sangiovese, and pure Sangiovese wines.

Question 19

For the Super Tuscans, what’s Rosso, Bianco, Dolce and Passito?

Question 20

Name producers or proprietary brands in Tuscany.

Answer 20

Antinori, Ruffino, Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Tignanello, Solaia, Biondi Santi, Banfi, Soldera, La Pergole Torte.

Question 21

Name some important producers of Brunello di Montalcino.

Question 22

Name the top Brunello di Montalcino vintages in the past 15 years.

Question 23

Explain the history of Super Tuscans.

Also, explain the history of Gallo Nero on Chianti Classico bottles.

Question 24

What to know when serving Brunello?

Answer 24

Decant young Brunello di Montalcino.

Question 25

Name some pairings for Chianti and Brunello. Have producers in mind if you recommend them.

Question 26

What’s the current release of Brunello di Montalcino and approximate price of top proprietary brands?