Sangiovese, Montepulciano

Question 1

What are the 2 most prominent black grape varietals in Central Italy?

Answer 1

1. Sangiovese
2. Montepulciano

Question 2

Which Central Italian region is famous for Sangiovese?

Answer 2

Tuscany

Question 3

Which Central Italian region is famous for the grape Montepulciano?

Answer 3

Abruzzo

Question 4

Which mountain range runs down the length of Italy, basically splitting the country down the middle of the boot?

Answer 4

The Apennines

Question 5

What 2 terms are widely used in Central Italy to differentiate style and quality?

Answer 5

1. Classico
2. Riserva

Question 6

What does the term “Classico” generally indicate on a bottle of wine?

Answer 6

• Grapes come from a smaller, historic area of a particular region
• Usually hilly
• Wines are more concentrated/intense in flavor

Question 7

What does the term “Riserva” generally indicate on a bottle of wine?

Answer 7

• Used for DOC or DOCG (not IGT!)
• Wine has been aged for a certain number of months prior to release (length of aging depends on DOC/DOCG rules)

Question 8

Describe the profile of Montepulciano.

Answer 8

• Dry
• High tannin
• Medium acid
• Black fruits (plums, cherries)
• Most are affordable/simple with no oak
• Some concentrated styles will see oak

Question 9

What is the most famous DOC in Abruzzo for the Montepulciano grape?

Answer 9

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Literally, Montepulciano from Abruzzo – the d’, di, dei, or della in Italian means ‘from’ or ‘of’.

Question 10

What is the prevalent black grape varietal in Tuscany?

Answer 10

Sangiovese

Question 11

Describe the profile of Sangiovese.

Answer 11

• Dry
• High tannin
• High acid
• Red fruits (cherries, plums)
• Dried herbal notes (especially dried pizza herbs: oregano and basil)
• Most are affordable/simple with no oak
• Some concentrated styles of Classico and Riserva will see oak

Question 12

What are the 4 most important DOC/DOCGs for Sangiovese in Tuscany?

Answer 12

1. Chianti DOCG
2. Chianti Classico DOCG
3. Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
4. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Question 13

Which DOCG in Tuscany produces Sangiovese at its most simple that drinks best in its youth?

Answer 13

Chianti DOCG

Quality of Chianti DOCG is very inconsistent as the area is big and broad.

Question 14

How does Chianti Classico DOCG compare to Chianti DOCG in terms of terroir and age-worthiness?

Answer 14

Chianti Classico:
* Is at a higher elevation (longer growing season)
* Is more likely to be matured in oak vessels
* Will display more complex aromas and flavors

Question 15

Which wine is aged longer, Chianti Classico DOCG or Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

Answer 15

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG will usually have a fuller body, more alcohol, and more oak than Chianti Classico DOCG.

Because the Riserva is aged longer, it will more likely display secondary and tertiary flavors than Chianti Classico.

Question 16

Where is the town of Montalcino within Tuscany (north, south, east, west)?

Answer 16

Southern Tuscany

At this more southern latitude, Montalcino is warmer than Chianti; therefore it produces richer, fuller-bodied, and more concentrated Sangiovese than Chianti or Chianti Classico.

Question 17

Brunello is the name for what in Montalcino?

Answer 17

Brunello is the name for Sangiovese in local dialect.

Question 18

Describe the profile of Brunello di Montalcino.

Answer 18

• Dry
• High alcohol
• Full body
• High tannin
• High acid
• Concentrated red-fruit profile
• Always matured in oak vessels (mostly neutral) for long period prior to release (notes of clove, cedar)
• Great aging potential