Italy: Tuscany Flashcards
What are the major geographic features that affect viticulture in Tuscany?
Ligurian Sea
Tyrrhenian Sea
Apennine Mountains
What is the climate of Tuscany?
Continental/Maritime. Maritime closer to the coast
What are the 3 main white grape varieties found in Tuscany?
Trebbiano
Vermentino
Vernaccia
What are the 5 main red grape varieties used in Tuscany?
Sangiovese
Brunello/Sangiovese Grosso
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
What are the two most important soil types found in Chianti Classico?
Galestro
Albarese
Only Galestro is “need to know” for certified
What is the difference between high elevation and low elevation soil composure in Montalcino?
Galestro at higher elevations
Clay and Marine Sediments at lower elevations
What are the minimum aging requirements for wines labelled, “Brunello di Montalcino”?
Must be aged in oak (large slavonian or small barriques) for a minimum of 2 years
Minimum 4 months in bottle
The wines may not be sold until January 1st, five years after the harvest.
True or False: Sangiovese from Tuscany will often have VA (volatile acidity)?
True
What is the minimum % of Sangiovese Grosso/Brunello allowed for wines labelled “Brunello di Montalcino”?
100%
What is the minimum % of Sangiovese required for “Chianti Classico” and “Chianti”?
Chianti Classico: 80%
Chianti: 70%
What is the synonym used for Sangiovese in Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile
What is the minimum % of Prugnolo Gentile allowed in Vino Nobile de Montepulciano?
70%
What is the minimum % of Brunello/Sangiovese required for a wine labeled Brunello di Montalcino?
100%
What are the three aging designations used in Chianti Classico DOCG?
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico “Riserva”
Chianti Classico “Gran Selezione”
What does the term Superiore mean on a wine label?
Requires a higher minimum % of alcohol.
What does the term Riserva mean on a wine label?
Requires a longer aging time.
What are the top vintages between 2009 and 2024 in Tuscany?
2015 *
2016 *
2018
2019
*Exceptional vintage
Name three of the top super-tuscan producers.
Sassicaia
Solaia
Ornellaia
Masseto
Tignanello
Biondi Santi and Salvioni are top producers in which Tuscan wine region?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Translate “Brunello”
Little dark one
If you see this wine label, where is the wine from and what grape is it made from?
Tuscany
Sangiovese
The wine is “Le Pergole Torte”, by Montevertine
Recommend three Chianti producers.
Banfi
Tenuta di Nozzole
San Felice II Grigio
Castellani
Fontodi
Querciabella
