Toscana Flashcards by Adam Perkins

When was the first commercial bottling of Sassicaia released?

1968

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How many DOCGs are located within Tuscany?

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What is the climate found in Tuscany?

Mediterranean

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True or False,

Tuscany has the most DOCGs zones in Italy?

False

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What is the main grape of Tuscany?

Sangiovese (and it isn’t even close)

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What are the parents of Sangiovese

Ciliegiolo and Calabrese di Montenuovo

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Name one offspring of Sangiovese

Frappato
Nerello Mascalese
Perricone

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What are the main clones of Sangiovese?

Brunello
Prugnolo Gentile
Sangiovese di Lamole

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Sangiovese was generally aged in what?

Large Slavonian cask

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Name some of the DOCGs where Sangiovese is the principal grape varietal

Chianti
Chianti Classico
Carmignano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Morellino di Scansano
Montecucco Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino
Rosso di Montalcino

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What are the two native grape varietals that are generally blended with Sangiovese

Colorino and Canaiolo Nero

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What is Italy’s most planted white grape?

Trebbiano Toscano

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What percentage of the wine that comes from Tuscany is white?

15%

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What are the 7 subzones of Chianti?

Classico
Rufina
Colli Fiorentini
Colline Pisane
Colli Aretini
Montalbano

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Who Is credited with defining the classic blend of Chianti

Baron Bettino Ricasoli

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Describe the practice of ‘governo’

It is refermentation with the juice of dried grapes; used to strengthen the wine and start MLF.

It must be indicated on labels as Governo all’uso Toscano

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What four villages are found in the Chianti Classico Zone?

Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve

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What are the two common soil types found in the Chianti Classico Zone

Galestro- soft and friable marl

Alberese - Sandstone

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What are the requirement of Sangiovese in Chianti and Chianti Classico?

70-100% in Chianti
- 75-100% in Chianti Colli Senesi
80-100% in Chianti Classico

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True or False,

White grapes are not allowed in the blends for Chianti and Chianti Classico

False, while they are allowed in the Chianti DOCG (maximum 10%), they are no longer allowed in the Chianti Classico DOCG.

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When was the first commercial vintage of Tignanello?

1971

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Sangiovese is a ____ budding and _____ ripening varietal

Early Budding

- Late Ripening

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Does Rosso di Mantalcino also have to be 100% sangiovese like Brunello?

Yes

What is the DOC used for producers in Montalcino to make ‘super-tuscan’ wines?

Sant’Antimo DOC

What is the grape used to make Moscadello di Montalcino, and what kind of wine is it?

Moscadello, better known as Moscato Bianco, makes sweet wines that can be still or sparkling

What is the blend for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

- 70% Prugnolo Gentile - 30% of other Tuscan varietals - No more than 5% of whites

When did Morellino di Scansano achieved DOCG status?

2006

What is the first recorded law/decree issued to protect the quality in Chianti?

In 1444, there was a prohibition on picking dates before a certain date to protect the quality

Who was it that recommended that Sangiovese should be the dominate variety in Chianti?

Baron Bettino Ricasoli, in 1872

True or False, Most of the Chianti DOCG does not share the same soils or elevation as Chianti Classico?

True

When did Chianti Classico become its own autonomous region, separate from Chianti?

1996

What are the top 6 varieties planted in Tuscany?

- Sangiovese - Trebbiano - Merlot - Cabernet - Canaiolo Nero

Is Sangiovese a thin-skinned or thick-skinned variety?

Thin-skinned, making it susceptible to Botrytis Bunch Rot

What are the two threats to vineyards in Tuscany?

- Esca, which enters in through large cuts on the vine | - Wild Boars

What are the approved blending grapes for Chianti Classico?

- Corolino - Canaiolo Nero - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Merlot

True or False, White grape varieties can be used in both Chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG?

False. Neither can use white grape varieties in the blends. - Chianti phased them out after the 2015 vintage - Chianti Classico phased them out after the 2006 vintage

What is 'Galestro'?

It is a soil type found in Chianti Classico that is a mixture of Schist, crumbly rock with clay and marl

What is 'Alberese'?

It is a soil found in Chianti Classico that is a mixture of Calcareous soil and Clay

What are the maximum yields for Chianti, Chianti Classico and the Chianti Subzones?

- Chianti is 63 hL/ha - The Chianti subzones are 56 hL/ha - Chianti Classico is 52.5 hL/ha

When was the first Brunello di Montalcino bottled and sold?

In 1865 by the Biondi-Santi family

How has the the number and producers and land under vine changed from the 1960's to today?

In the 1960s there were 11 producers and 65 ha planted. Now there are 250 producers and 2,100 ha planted.

What is the largest Chianti subzone?

Chianti Colli Senesi

What is the range (sea level) that is said to produce the best wines in Chianti Classico?

200-500m, this range helps give cooler nights, which can lengthen the growing season that in turn leads to riper grapes that still have elevated acid levels

What two towns is Chianti Classico located between?

Florence and Siena

What was the new designation created by the Chianti Classico Consorzio in 2013 to promote the top tier of Chianti Classico?

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

What are the requirements of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?

- The grapes must come from a single vineyard or an estate owned by the producer - Wines must be aged for 30 months (no requirement for oak ageing)

What is the maximum yield for Brunello di Montalcino?

54 hL/ha

What are the ageing requirements for Brunello di Montalcino (regular) and Riserva?

- 5 years after Jan. 1 of the following year, 2 years in oak | - 6 years after Jan. 1 of the following year, 3 years in oak

List the varieties that can be used in the production of Brunello di Montalcino?

Sangiovese

List the varieties that can be used in the production of Rosso di Montalcino?

Sangiovese

What is the average elevation for the vineyards that Produce Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

250-600m

What is the minimum elevation for Brunello di Montalcino?

Vineyards have to be above 120m

What are the moderating influences for Brunello di Montalcino?

- Protected from the rain by Monte Amiata | - Cooling breezes from the Mediterranean Sea

What are the main soils found in Montalcino?

- In the northern part of the DOCG, the soils are galestro based - Higher amounts of clay at the lower elevations

Sangiovese must make up what percentage of the blend in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

70-100%

What is the maximum yield for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

56 hL/ha