IWS Flashcards part 1
Which city is considered the birthplace of modern Italy?
Toscana
Name 3 ancient wine families of Toscana
Ricasoli, Frescobaldi and Antinori
What 4 prestigious wine zones were protected by the Bando?
Chianti, Pomino, Carmignano and Val d’Arno di Sopra
What is Coltura Promiscua?
Mixed crop cultivation
Who is considered one of the founders of the Italian wine renaissance?
Giacomo Tachis
Who is associated with Sassicaia and Antinori’s Tignanello & Solaia?
Giacomo Tachis
What natural element forms the northeastern border of Toscana?
Northern Apennines
How many islands are in the Archipelago Toscano?
7 - Isola d’Elba is the largest.
The majority of Toscana is hilly. True or False?
TRUE - 67% Hills, 25% Mountains and 8% Plains
What is Maremma?
A large historic-geographic area shared between Toscana and Lazio
What is southern Tuscan Maremma (or Maremma Grossetana) known as?
Its simply called Maremma
What is northern Tuscan Maremma known as?
Alta Maremma
Where does Maremma stretch from?
South of Livorno to the northern part of Lazio
What is the largest river in Toscana?
The Arno, flowing east to west.
What is Galestro?
A metamorphic rock found in central Toscana, especially around Chianti Classico, Rufina and Montalcino
What is Alberese?
Fine-grained calcareous marl found in central and southern parts of Toscana
Is Toscana dominated by red or white grapes?
Red grapes account for over 90%
What is Toscana’s most widely planted grape?
Sangiovese
What is Sangiovese a natural cross between?
Ciliegiolo and Calabrese Montenuovo
What is the characteristic of Sangiovese?
High in acid and tannins, violet, sour cherry, plum and tea leaf aromas
What is the possible meaning of Sangiovese?
Jupiters Blood
Name the synonym for Sangiovese in Montalcino
Brunello
Name the synonym for Sangiovese in Montepulciano
Prugnolo Gentile
Name the synonym for Sangiovese in Scansano
Morellino
Name the synonym for Sangiovese all over Toscana
Sangiovese Grosso
Name the synonym for Sangiovese all over Chianti Classico
Sangioveto
What is the purpose of Canaiolo Nero in a blend?
It is used for Sangiovese to soften the rough edges and refine the perfume and mouthfeel
What is the purpose of Ciliegiolo in a blend?
It is used for Sangiovese to soften the rough edges due to its lower acidity
What is the purpose of Colorino in a blend?
It is used to deepen the colour of wines such as Chianti or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Where has Ciliegiolo adapted well to?
Maremma where it is made into a single varietal wine
What grape is Aleatico related to?
This red grape is related to Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains)
Where is Aleatico mostly grown?
The Island of Elba where it produces a distinctive sweet red wine
What is Toscana’s most widely planted white grape?
Trebbiano Toscano
What was Trebbiano Toscano’s most prominent role?
The production of Vin Santo
What is Trebbiano Toscano known as in France?
Ugni Blanc
What is the characteristic of Trebbiano Toscano?
Highly productive producing light, crisp fairly neutral wines
Name the 2 white blending grapes traditionally allowed in Chianti?
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga
What is the main role of Malvasia in the production of Vin Santo?
It provides body and perfume
What type of wine does Vernaccia di San Gimignano produce?
Zesty, dry, varietal wines
What does Vernaccia mean?
It means indigenous or native. It’s a generic term to indicate a group of unrelated varieties
What is Ansonica also known as?
Inzolia
What does Podere mean?
Farm
What does Poggio mean?
Knoll
What does Castello mean?
Castle
What does Fattoria mean?
Farm
What is the most widely planted international grape in Toscana?
Merlot - 8%
What was Chianti Classico 2000?
A long-term project which was instrumental in developing high-quality clones
What are the 3 most commonly found vine training systems in Toscana?
Archetto, Cordone Speronato and Guyot
What is Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice?
A rare, pink Vin Santo made from red grapes, usually Sangiovese
What is Vin Santo?
An ancient and traditional speciality passito white wine produced throughout the entire region
What does Vin Santo mean?
Holy wine - referring to the fact that the grapes were traditionally pressed and fermented during holy week.
What are caratelli?
Old oak barrels used for vino santo are typically made of chestnut, oak, acacia, juniper or cherry
What are vinsantaie (vinsantaia)?
non-temperature controlled storage rooms or lofts which are subjected to seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Caratelli are typically only filled to 4/5’s of their total volume. True or false?
TRUE
Describe a typical Vin Santo?
Intense, velvety and demonstrate pleasant oxidative characteristics such as nuts, honey, dried fruit and spice
What is the difference between Vin Santo and Vino Santo?
Vino Santo is from Trentino, generally sweeter with lower alcohol than Vin Santo
