Italy - Tuscany Flashcards
In which year the first DOC were awarded?
1966
Which wines got granted DOC status in Italy in 1966?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Ischia. Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone. Frascati. However many consider Vernaccia the first one
Is the majority of the Tuscany wine production at DOC status?
Yes, 60%
What’s the climate in Tuscany?
Mediterranean
What’s the majority of the plantings in Tuscany? White or Red?
85% Red
What are the main grapes of Tuscany?
Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, CS, Merlot, Syrah
Ch, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia
How many DOCG in Tuscany?
Name them
11 Vernaccia di San Gimignano; Aleatico Passito dell’Elba; Brunello di Montalcino; Carmignano; Chianti Classico; Chianti; Montecucco Sangiovese; Morellino di Scansano; Val di Cornia Rosso; Suvereto; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano;
In which year DOCG were granted first?
1980
Which wines received DOCG first in 1980?
Brunello di Montalcino.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Barolo (all 3 in July)
in October Barbaresco too
What’s the soil in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Volcanic Sandstone
What’s the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG based on? Are white grapes allowed?
Prugnolo Gentile, min 70%
Up to 5% wg
What styles of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG are allowed?
Which ABV?
Normale 12.5%
Riserva 13%
What are the agings for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG ?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following the harvest, with the following options:
24 months in wood
Minimum 18 months in wood plus 6 months in an alternative container
Minimum 12 months in wood and a minimum 6 months in bottle, with the remainder in an alternative container
Riserva: Minimum 3 years aging, including at least 6 months in bottle, from January 1 of the year following the harvest
Carmignano DOCG? What’s the maximum elevation for the vineyards?
400m
What is Carmignano DOCG based on?
Sangiovese, Min 50%
+ 10-20% CF, CS plus others
What are the main grapes of Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?
Vernaccia
max 15% of other non aromatic white grapes
How many white wine DOCG in Tuscany?
Only 1, Vernaccia di San Gimignano
In which year the Gran Duca Cosimo III de’ Medici delimited the Chianti Classico Zone?
In 1716, with Radda, Gaiole, Castellina in Chianti, Greve
In which year the Chianti subzones were delimited?
were them the same as today?
In 1932.
7 areas delimited. Montespertoli subzone was added in 1997
In which year Chianti was granted DOCG?
1984
In which year Chianti Classico was elected as its own DOCG?
1996
Who created the Chianti Formula?
in 1872 the Barone Bettino Ricasoli
White grapes were added to the wine
In which provinces is Chianti Classico?
Firenze and Siena
How many communes are in Chianti Classico?
9
5 in the Siena province
4 in the Firenza province
Name the communes of Chianti Classico
N to S
San Casciano val di Pesa, Greve in Chianti, Tavernelle val di Pesa, Barberino Val d’Elsa, Poggibonsi, Castellina in Chianti, Radda, Gaiole, Castelnuovo Berardenga
Which communes of Chianti Classico are part of the Siena province?
Poggibonsi, Castellina in C, Radda, Gaiole, Castelnuovo Berardenga
Which communes of Chianti Classico are part of the Firenze province?
San Casciano Val di Pesa, Greve in C, Tavernelle VDP, Barberino V d’E
What are the soil of Chianti Classico?
Galestro: Soft, Friable, Marl
and Alberese: Sandstone
What’s the soil of San Casciano Val di Pesa?
It’s Alberese
Where is the Cosorzio del Chianti. Classico based?
In San Casiano Val di Pesa
Name 2 producers based in San Casciano
Antinori(Santa Cristina Estate)
Borghetto, Montesecondo
What’s the soil in Greve in Chianti?
Galestro
Can you name 2 frazioni in Greve in C?
Montefioralle, Ruffoli, Lamole, Panzano (Conca d’Oro)
Name 2 iconic producers based in Greve
Fontodi, Querciabella, Poggio Scalette, Castello dei Rampolla
Name an iconic producer based in Tavernelle
Antinori (badia a passignano)
Where are Isole e Olena and Castello di Monsanto based?
In Barberino Val d’Elsa
Where is Montevertine based?
In Radda
Where is Barone Ricasoli, Castello di Ama and Sangiusto a Retennano based?
Based in Gaiole
Where is Felsina based?
In Castelnuovo Berardenga
Where is Fontodi based? Can you name the frazione?
Based in Greve, in the Conca d’Oro , south of Panzano
What are the province of Chianti DOCG?6
Firenze Siena Arezzo
Prato, Pisa, Pistoia
In which year Chianti was elevated to DOCG?
1984
Which styles are allowed in Chianti DOCG?
Chianti, Chianti Riserva, Chianti Superiore, Chianti w Subzone
Which styles are allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG?
Chianti Classico, CC Riserva, and CC Gran Selezione
In which year was the Gran Selezione for CC approved?
The 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
How many subzones in Chianti DOCG?
name them
7 ( used to be 8 until 1996) Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Montespertoli -> Firenze Montalbano -> Prato, Pistoia, Firenze C Colli Senesi ->Siena C Colline Pisane -> Pisa C Colli Aretini-> Arezzo
What’s the assemblage in Chianti DOCG?
Which is the exception?
70-100 % Sangiovese
Maximum 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana
Maximum 10% white grapes
Maximum 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
Chianti Colli Senesi:
75-100% Sangiovese
Maximum 25% combined other red grapes authorized for Toscana
Maximum 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti until 2015 vintage
Maximum 10% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
What’s the assemblage for Chianti Classico DOCG?
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
Until which year Chianti Classico was a mandatory blend?
Until 1995
What’s the min ABV for Chianti DOCG?
Chianti 11.5%
Chianti Riserva 12%
Chianti and Riserva W Subzone 11.5% to 13%
(13% only for Colli Senesi Riserva)
Is the Governo practice allowed in Chianti DOCG?
Yes, but it must be noted on the label
What is the Governo practice?
Governo is a winemaking technique reportedly invented in Tuscany in the 14th century to help complete fermentation and stabilize the wine. The technique involves saving a batch of harvested grapes and allowing them to partially dry. If fermentation of the main batch starts too slow or appears to be nearing stuck fermentation, the half dried grapes are added to the must which then gives the yeast cells a new source of sugar to enliven the batch. From there, the must can be fermented dry or stopped with the wine having a higher level of residual sugar. The process was widely used in the Chianti zones until the advent of temperature controlled fermentation tanks.
What’s the min ABV for Chianti Classico DOCG?
C Classico 12%
C C Riserva 12.5%
Gran Selezione 13%
What are the aging requirement for Chianti DOCG?
`C can be released from
1/3
Montespertoli 1/6
Fiorentini, Rufina 1/9
What are the aging requirement for Chianti Superiore DOCG?
C Superiore can be released from
1/9
What are the aging requirement for Chianti Riserva DOCG?
C Riserva can be released after 2yrs (from1/1)
However
C Riserva Fiorentini and Rufina min 6 m in wood, within the 2 yrs
C Riserva Senesi min 8 m w + 4 m B , within the 2 yrs
What are the aging requirement for Chianti Classico DOCG?
It can be released after 1/10
What are the aging requirement for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
2 yrs (3 m b) from 1/1
What are the aging requirement for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG?
What is the condition?
30m (3m B)
It must be estate fruit
What’s the planting density in Chianti and Chianti Classico?
4K V p Hect in Chianti
3.350K V p Hect in CC
What are the approved Yields Chianti and Chianti Classico?
Chianti 9Tons/ha - 63 hl/ha
Subzones 8 tons/ha - 56 hl/ha
C Superiore 7.5 Tons/Ha - 52.5 hl/ha
CClassico 7.5 Tons/ha
Which Chianti Subzone is regarded as the most consistent in Quality?
Rufina
What is Clemente Sandi renew for?
He Isolated the Brunello clone, which he bottled alone in 1865.
Why did he bottle the Brunello clone alone?
Clemente Santi was aiming to create a varietal wine able to age
Did Clemente released his Brunello?
No, he didn’t.
His grandson Ferruccio did release the 1888 after aging it for over a decade in large barrels
Which vintages of Brunello Biondi Santi were released up to 1945?
Only 4
1888, 1891, 1925, 1945
Was brunello a regarded wine after WWII?
It had an established reputation for rare fine wine
How many Brunello producers there were in the 1960?
11
Until 1945 Biondi Santi was the only one
In which year the Brunello di Montalcino DOC was awarded?
1968
Which producer made the Brunello di Montalcino internationally famous?
Banfi.
It arrived in the late 1970s
It’s an American Company
In which year Brunello di Montalcino became DOCG?
1980
What happened in 2008 in Montalcino?
The Brunello Gate
How many producers were making Brunello in 2012?
258
What’s the Climate of Montalcino?
Montalcino is the warmest and driest region in Tuscany.
The climate is mitigated by a cool maritime breeze
Where is Monte Amiata?
In the SE corner of Montalcino
What’s the soil in Montalcino?
Very Diverse
Clay and marine sediments at lower elevation, galestro at higher elevation.
But also
Limestone, Schist, Volcanic
Can you name 2 Frazioni of Montalcino?How many there are?
7 total
the main ones are:
Sant’Angelo in Colle, Castelnuovo Abate, Torrenieri, Tavernelle
What’s the province of Montalcino?
Siena
Which styles are allowed for Brunello DOCG?
What’s the ABV Min?
Brunello
B Riserva
Vigna
12.5% for all
Is any other grape allowed for Brunello di Montalcino but Sangiovese ?
No, 100% Sangiovese
Aging requirements for Brunello?
2 yrs W + 4 m B may not be sold before 1/1 of 5th year
5yr (2yrs W + 4 m B)
Aging requirements for Brunello Riserva?
6yr (2yrs W + 6 m B)
2 yrs W + 6 m B may not be sold before 1/1 of 6th year
Is the use of RGM allowed in Brunello?
yes, not for Vigna
What bottle must be used to bottle Brunello?
It must be bottle in a Bordelaise bottle with a cork
What are the Yielding requirement in Brunello?
8T/ha ->54.4
7T/ha -> 47.6 (Vigna)
In which year was the Rosso di Montalcino DOC created?
in 1983
Which styles are allowed in the Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
Rosso and Rosso Vigna
What’s the min ABV in Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
Is there any other variety allowed?
12%
no, 100% Sangiovese
What’s the aging requirement for Rosso di Montalcino?
1 yr (from Sept 1) no cask required
What is the Sant Antimo DOC for?
Everything (almost ;))
It’s the DOC used for international varieties in Montalcino. The outlet for Super Tuscans in Montalcino
What is the Moscadell di Montalcino DOC for?
Still, Spk, LH
min 85% Moscato Bianco
Name 3 iconic Brunello producers
Val di Cava, Biondi Santi, Poggio di Sotto, Mastrojanni, Casanova di Neri, Uccelliera, Talenti
Where and when the Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta planted CS for a house wine?
In Bolgheri in 1942
on the ‘San Guido Estate’
First Sassicaia vintage? What oak was used?
1968
Barrique aged CS blend
First vintage of Tignanello? What’s the main grape?
1971 (Antinori)
Sang 85% ( barrique aged)
After Sassicaia and Tignanello, which other Supertuscans are considered to be the first?
Solaia, Ornellaia, Masseto, Paleo Rosso
Which other 100% Sangiovese Supertuscans followed?
San Felice Vigorello(no more sang)
Montevertine, Pergole Torte, Cepparello,
Under which appellation were those wines released?
As Vino da Tavola
In which year IGT was created? What was one of the main reason for its creation?
1992, One of the main motivator was the dissatisfaction with the DOC system
In Which year the Bolgheri DOC was created?
What was it for?
1983
Bolgheri DOC was only for Rosato and white
In which year the Bolgheri DOC included Reds?
1994
What was recognised to Sassicaia in 1994?
Sassicaia was recognised as a subzone go Bolgheri
In which year the subzone Sassicaia was granted his own DOC?
2013
What is the assemblage for Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
Min. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, max. 20% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany
What’s the aging requirement for Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
2 yrs (18m Win 225 Barrique)
What’s so unique about Bolgheri Sasssicaia DOC?
It’s the only true Monopole DOC in Italy
Can you name 3 iconic producers in the area of Bolgheri?
Le Macchiole, Banfi, Ornellaia, Grattamacco, Ca’ Marcanda, Guado al Tasso
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG. Where is it?
It’s in the south east of Bolgheri. Suvereto is located within it
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG, what’s the assemblage?
min 40% Sangiovese, max 60% Cab/ Merlot,
Max 20% others
Suvereto DOCG. What’s the assemblage?
Red only Suvereto Rosso (and Rosso Riserva) Suvereto Sangiovese (and Riserva) Suvereto Merlot (and Riserva) Suvereto Cabernet Sauvignon (and Riserva)
Suvereto Rosso: Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot, plus a max. 15% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana
Varietal-Labeled Wines: Min. 85% of stated variety, plus a max. 15% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana
Suvereto used to be a subzone of which appellation?
It used to be a named subzone of the Val di Cornia DOC
Who made viticulture possible in the Maremma Toscana?
Mussolini.
He drained the Damp in 1930
What is Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG based on?
What’s the min ABV?
min 90% Sangiovese
R 13%
R Riserva 13.5%
What is Morellino di Scansano DOCG based on?
Min 85% Morellino (Sangiovese)
In which year the first vintage of Sassicaia was released?
1971 (1968 vintage)
Who is the iconic oenologist considered to be the father of many Supertuscans?
Giacomo Tachis
Where did Giacomo Tachis worked for almost 32 years?
Antinori