Toscana Flashcards
What was the first attempt at wine appellation law?
The Grand Duke of Toscana (Cosimo III de’ Medici) issued an edict to protect the wines of Toscana - Chianti, Pomino, Carmignano, and Val d’Arno di Sopra).
What is the largest and longest lake in Toscana?
The Arno
soils of montalcino
lower area (younger) - clay and sand
higher altitude (older) - poor soils with gravel and stones. Galestro and alberese
who figured out the traditional blending components of chianti classico?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
Which area is known for the blends of cabernet and sangiovese?
Carmignano DOCG
What traditional Tuscan grape variety is often blended into Sangiovese based wines in order to help add perfume and soften its edges
Canaiolo
What is the etymology of Toscana
Derived from the Latin “Etruria”. Became Tuscia then Toscana. Land inhabited by the Etruscans.
What is the other region outside of Toscana that is comparable in prestige, viticulture,and overall wine making?
Piemonte
Four names of estates in toscana
podere (farm)
poggio (knoll)
castello (castle)
fattoria (farm)
What is italy’s most widely planted grape variety?
Sangiovese
What is the Maremma?
Large geographic area between toscana and lazio, along the coast.
What is the general climate of toscana?
Mediterranean, with moderating influences as you go from the coast inland.
What are vinsantaie?
lofts used to store bbls of aging vin santo
What are caratelli?
bbls used in vin santo production
Which person revived the wines of Carmignano in the second half of the 20th century?
Count Ugo Contini Bonacossi
What is the name of the family which eventually ruled the entire area of Toscana?
Medici of Firenze
What is Salasso?
Bleeding the tank
Which is cooler, vino nobile di montepulciano or Brunello?
Vino nobile di montepulciano
What are the four Tuscan DOCs dedicated exclusively to Vin Santo?
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC, Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC, Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
What is vin ruspo?
a light rossato made in carmignano
Two grapes in Vin Santo
Trebbiano Toscano
Malvasia Bianca Lunga
Three levels of chianti classico docg?
Annata (year) –> Riserva –> Gran Selezione
What is “coltura promiscua”?
Mixed crop cultivation
What were the two regional superpowers in the 13th century Toscana?
City state of firenze and siena
What is the most recently added subzone of chianti docg?
Montespertoli
What is the geographic breakdown of toscana?
Hills (67%), Mountains (25%), then plains (8%)
During the 17th and 18th centuries the wines of chianti were predominately?
Canaiolo
When was the share cropping system abolished?
1960s
Alberese is found in which main toscana region
Carmignano
What was the Rinascimento?
The italian renaissance, the cultural movement that took place between the 14th and 16th centuries.