Toscana Flashcards
What is the general climate found in Toscana?
continental/maritime with stronger maritime influence near the coast
What is the main mountain range that runs across the northern part of Tuscany?
Apennine mountains
What are the 2 seas that Tuscany touches?
- Ligurian Sea
- Tyrrhenian Sea
Name 3 main white grapes grown in Tuscany
- Trebbiano
- Vermentino
- Vernaccia
Name the 6 most commonly found and used red grapes in Tuscany.
- Sangiovese
- Brunello/Sangiovese Grosso
- Prugnolo Gentile
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Merlot
What is Galestro?
•Galestro is a description of a schistous-clay formation in the soil (technically not a soil type)
•found in Tuscany, specifically in Chianti Classico, Montalcino
Montalcino in Tuscany not only has galestro, it also has Albarese.
- What is albarese, where can it be found in Montalcino?
- Where is galestro found in Montalcino?
- Albarese is clay and marine sediments (limestone), found at lower elevation
- Galestro found at higher elevation
What is Chianti DOCG?
•has 7 subzones
•min 70-100% Sangiovese, max 30% combined other grapes authorised in Toscana, max 10% white grapes, max 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc
•can be Riserva, Superiore, may labelled by subzones
•min alcohol 11.5% abv
•may not be released until March 1 after harvest year
What are the 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG?
- Rufina
- Colli Fiorentini
- Colli Senesi
- Colli Aretini
- Colline Pisane
- Montespertoli
- Montalbano
What is Chianti Classico DOCG?
•must come from a delimited region
•can be Riserva, Gran Selezione
•min 80-100% Sangiovese, max 20% other red grapes authorised by Siena and Firenze (including Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
•min alcohol 12% abv
•min aging 1 year
What is the difference for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
•min alcohol increased to 12.5% abv
•min aging 24 months, 3 months in bottle
What is the difference for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG?
•first introduced in 2014
•wines must be produced from estate fruit
•min 90% Sangiovese, max 10% other red grapes traditional to the region
•min alcohol 13% abv
•min aging 30 months, 3 months in bottle
What are the grapes that are not allowed in the blend for Chianti Classico DOCG?
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco as of 2006
What are the 3 most commonly made styles of wine made in Toscana?
- Dry red wines
- Dry white wines
- Sweet Vin Santo
What does term ‘Superiore’ mean on a bottle?
Increased alcohol level
usually 0.5-1% abv more than a normale
What does term ‘Classico’ refer to on a bottle?
Classic center of a region
What does the term ‘Riserva’ generally mean on a bottle?
Longer aging times required
Generally describe a Vin Santo wine.
Vin Santo, or “holy wine”, is a high alcohol, almond and honeyed dried grape wine made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes
Grechetto is sometimes authorised
Rosé versions called “Occhio di Pernice” are produced with a min 50% Sangiovese added to white grapes
Name the 4 Vin Santo appellations found in Tuscany.
- Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
- Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
- Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC
- Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
What is Governo process or better known as Governo all’uso del Toscano?
refermentation of racked wine
•partial of harvested grapes is set aside to dried out on cannicci or castelli to concentrating sugars and flavours
•adding the dried grapes to a fermenting must that was fermenting slow, the additional sugars from dried grapes reinvigorate the yeast activity, promoting complete fermentation
•trigger secondary fermentation, enhancing complexity and mouthfeel
•usually takes place before the end of the year of harvest, may be repeated in March or April
though this is a very traditional Italian winemaking technique, Chianti Classico has prohibited this technique while you still can find regions like Marche and Umbria practice
What’s the benefits of Governo Process?
•enhanced fermentation, ensures thorough fermentation, reducing residual sugars that could lead to spoilage
•improved stability by stabilising the wine with malolactic fermentation, which can soften the acidity levels
•increases glycerol content, contributing to a fuller body and smoother mouthfeel
What is Bolgheri DOC?
•first introduced in 1994, mainly to bring in Sassicaia
•can be rosso, bianco, rosato, rosso superiore, Vermentino, Sauvignon
What are the grapes varieties permitted in Bolgheri DOC Bianco?
•0-100% Vermentino
•0-100% Sauvignon Blanc
•0-100% Viognier
•with a maximum of 40% other white varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana
If the Bolgheri Bianco has Vermentino/Sauvignon indicated on label, how many % stated variety need to be in the wine?
•min 85% of stated variety
•max 15% of other white varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana
What are the permissible red grape varieties and their percentages for Bolgheri DOC?
•0-100% Cabernet Sauvignon
•0-100% Merlot
•0-100% Cabernet Franc
•max 50% Syrah
•max 50% Sangiovese
•max 30% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana
Who was the first single estate to be granted its own sub-appellation DOC in Bolgheri?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
What is Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
•established in 2013
•min 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, max 20% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany
•min alcohol 12% abv
•min aging 2 years from Jan 1 of year after harvest (18 months in 225-litre barriques)
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be how many % from this grape?
Must be 100% Sangiovese
locally know as Brunello
What is *Brunello di Montalcino “Vigna” *?
single vineyard wine
What is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
•100% Sangiovese (Brunello)
•min alcohol 12.5% abv
•min aging of 5 years, 2 years in oak and 4 months in bottle
•RISERVA min aging of 6 years, 2 years in oak and 6 months in bottle
•finished wine must be bottled in Bordelaise bottle with a cork stopper
•”Vigna” wines are not allowed to add rectified grape must
Most Brunello di Montalcino DOCG mature in what kind of casks? What size is it?
Large neutral Slavonian casks known as botti, some may use French oak if they want to impart greater sense/ flavour of oak
Slavonian oak comes from the forested, inland of Croatia
What is Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
it is a declassify wines from producers of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (especially when poor vintages or young vines)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG can declassify to Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
How many % Sangiovese in Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
100% Sangiovese
What is the aging for Rosso di Montalcino DOCG?
Min one year aging, may not release till Sep 1 year after harvest (min 12% abv)
How many % Sangiovese in Rosso di Montepulciano DOC?
Min 70% Sangiovese, max 30% other non-aromatic grapes that suitable for cultivation in Toscana, including max 5% white grapes
What is the aging for Rosso di Montepulciano DOC?
Min 6 months, may no be released before March 1 after harvest year (11.5% abv)
What are the synonyms of Sangiovese in Toscana?
- Brunello (in Montalcino)
- Prugnolo Gentile (in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano)
- Morellino (in Maremma region, around Scansano)
- Sangioveto (traditional Tuscan synonym)
What are the grapes in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
•min 70% Prugnolo Gentile
•max 30% combined other red and white varieties permitted in Toscana (max 5% non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga)
they are the first red wine DOCG in Italy (they were the first to apply DOCG status)
What is the aging for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
min 12.5% abv, min 2 years, from Jan 1 after harvest year with following options:
- 24 months in wood
- min 18 months in wood, 6 months in alternative vessels
- min 12 months in wood and min 6 months in bottle, with the rest in alternative vessels
What is the aging for Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
min 13% abv, min 3 years including 6 months in bottle from Jan 1 after harvest year
What are some renowned producers of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Traditional:
1. Biondi-Santi
2. IL Poggione
3. Poggio di Sotto
4. Soldera
Modern:
1. Casanova di Neri
2. Banfi
Intermediate:
1. Conti Costanti
2. Ciacci Piccolomini
What are some renowned producers for Bolgheri DOC?
- Grattamarco
- Le Macchiole
- Ornellaia
- Guado al Tasso
- Banfi
What is the story behind the Gallo Nero on Chianti Classico bottles?
•The black rooster icon (Gallo Nero) comes from the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Siena attempting to resolve consistent conflicts.
• The story goes that at dawn, one knight from Siena and one from Florence would leave their respecitve cities and travel in the direction of the Chianti territory; Since the moment of departure was decisive, it was decided to rely on the cockcrow.
• The men of Siena chose a white rooster and fed it in the belief that it would sing much louder at dawn. On the contrary, the Florentines preferred a black rooster that they left hungry for several days and locked in a dark room.
•The day of the competition came - Starved by hunger, the black rooster began to sing as soon as he was freed: the Florentine knight was able to leave first, even before the sun came up. In Siena, however, the white rooster sang at the first light of dawn, having slept a few more hours as he was full. As a result, the Sienese knight left with a strong delay with respect to the challenger.
The two knights met at Fonteruoli, just 12 km from Siena - so almost the entire Chianti region was annexed to the Republic of Horence.
What is Morellino di Scansano DOCG?
•min alcohol 12.5% abv
•min 85% Morellino (local Sangiovese name)
•max 15% other red varieties authorised by province of Grosseto
•may be released from March 1 after harvest year
RISERVA
•min alcohol 13% abv
•min aging 2 years from Jan 1 after harvest year (including 1 year in wood)
What is Carmignano DOCG?
•dry red wine
•min 50% Sangiovese
•10-20% combined Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
•max 20% Canaiolo Nero
•max 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo Bianco
•max 10% combined other red varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana
•min alcohol 12.5% abv
•min aging 8 months in oak, may not be sold before June 1 after harvest year
RISERVA
•min aging 12 months in oak, may not be sold before Sep 29 the third year after harvest
What is Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC?
•a declassify wine from Carmignano DOCG
•can be red or rosé
•max 50% Sangiovese
•max 20% Canaiolo
•10-20% combined or separately Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon
•max 10% white grapes, Trebbiano Toscano, Canaiolo Bianco, Malvasia
•min alcohol 11%
