The Region Flashcards
Which provinces in Tuscany have areas in Chianti Classico?
Parts of Florence and Siena
How large is the Chianti Classico region?
47 km N/S and 27km E/W
Which mountains border Chianti in the east? What is the highest point?
Chianti mountains;
Monte St Michele @ 893 mtrs asl
What three elements appear on the Chianti Classico bottle label? When were they introduced on the bottles?
Since 1924, the name of the region, the Black Rooster and the date of origin.
What does the Black Rooster signify?
It guarantees that every grape used to make the wine has been grown in the classico region.
What % ofthe Chianti Classico surface area is used for Chianti Classico production?
Less than 10%
Why does the sum total of Classico vineyard area never increase?
New vineyards can only be added if some are declassified or existing ripped out.
What is the maximum elevation of Classico vineyards?
Maximum altitudes is 700 mtrs ASL.
Which three rivers create valleys in Chianti?
Arbia flows south;
Pesa flows centre east to northwest;
Greve flows north.
Which line of ridges defines the cooler and warmer portions of the Classico region?
Ridges running NW to SE.
What topographical influences are there on the Eastern side of Chianti?
The Chianti mountains. Vineyards are planted on varied gradations and elevations.They influence the temperatures.
How are vineyards and trees interlinked in Classico?
Nearly all vineyards are planted near woods. The stand of trees breathes freshness into the wines.
Why are the ridges so important Classico?
They can define differentiation in the wines due to soil, ridge topography, winemaking, temperature, grape choice.
What are the two general classifiction of soils/rocks in Classico?
Older Marine and younger continental - sea and land.
What are the eight types of marine soils?
Marine clays and silts, sands and conglomerates, sandstone, non-calcareous sandstone, Alberese, calcareous clay sequences, Sillano formation, Pietraforte, shale with Galestre.
What are the three continental classes of soils?
Fluvial terraces, lacustrine and alluvial deposits, lackestrene and fluvial deposits.
What are the 4 most prominent soil types?
Alberese, Pietraforte, Macigno, Sillano.
What is Alberese.
A calcareous limestone rich soil.
What is Galestro?
It is not a rock formation. It arises from schists and appears as thin layered clay shale stones.
What is Pietraforte?
Purple brown shale and calcareous sandstone.
What is Macigno?
Sandstone
What is Formaccio di Sillano?
Marls
What are the most common soils?
Alberese and Macigno.
What are the climate change risks in Classico?
Excessive heat, increased humidity, reduced rainfall but when it comes it is downpours, frost and hail.
What steps are being taken as a result of climate change?
Planting at:
higher elevation to retain acidity and freshness. Gives bigger diurnal range;
North facing slopes which can be cooler;
Pruning for later budbreak;
Canopy management against sunburn.
When is veraison and harvest in Classico?
Veraison in mid- to late-August;
Harvest into late-October
What changes are happening in the winery?
Less emphasis on over-extraction through longer maceration and extraction of polyphenols
What three things are required for great wines?
Balance, balance and balance.
What % of Classico estates farm organically?
> 50%
What steps are taken in Classico vineyards to mitigate humidity?
Canopy management, pruning and cover crops to restrict soil erosion and rapid evaporation of moisture from the soil.
What initiatives are being taken to preserve water in Classico?
New reservoirs and lakes are being made to capture, store and recycle water.
How many communes in Classico?
Eight
What % of Chianti Classico area is woodland?
62% woodland
