Toscana, Piemonte Easy Flashcards
Name Chianti DOCG Subzones?
Rufina (Firenze); Colli Fiorentini (Firenze); Montespertoli (Latest to be added. Firenze); Montalbano (Prato; Pistoia; Firenze); Senesi (Siena); Colli Aretini (Arezzo); Colline Pisane (Pisa).
What are permitted varieties for Chianti DOCG?
Chianti: 70 up to 100% Sangiovese; Maximum 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana; Maximum 10% white grapes; Maximum 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
The addition of the white grapes Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia; a practice dating to the 1870s; is now optional rather than mandatory.
What are permitted varieties for Chianti Classico DOCG?
Sangiovesse comprises a minimum 80% of the Chianti Classico blend. Like Chianti; the wines may be pure varietal Sangiovese; or they may be blended with other red grapes of the region.
As of the 2006 vintage; white grapes are no longer permitted in the wine.
What are Chianti DOCG ageing requirements?
May not be released until March 1 of the year following the harvest.
Chianti Superiore: May not be released until September 1 of the year following the harvest;
Chianti Riserva: Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following harvest.
What are Chianti DOCG Classico ageing requirements?
The minimum alcohol level for Chianti Classico is 12%; compared to 11.5% for Chianti DOCG; and the wines must be aged for a year prior to release.
Riserva wines must be aged for a minimum 24 months; with a minimum 12.5% alcohol level;
Gran Selezione wines; a new category introduced in 2013; must be aged for at least 30 months prior to release and wines must be produced from estate fruit. Barrique is often the wood vessel of choice for aging riserva Chianti Classico.
What is Governo?
Refermentation with the juice of dried grapes; to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation; legally permitted.
What is Chianti Classico DOCG Soils?
Although the extremely varied nature of Tuscan soils is evident within Chianti Classico; two soil types are common: the soft; friable; marl like galestro and alberese; or sandstone.
Sangiovese thrives on the galestro soils.
Who was the first producer of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
History credits Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi Santi with the invention of the Brunello style; as the producer was the first to isolate the Brunello clone and bottle it alone in 1865. Biondi Santi’s reputation and the style were immortalized shortly thereafter; with the release of the Brunello Riserva 1888. However; production remained minute even through the 1970s; and only recently has Brunello truly captured the public imagination.
Taste of Brunello di Montalcino comparing to Chianti?
Brunello is stronger; with more alcohol; extract and tannin; than Chianti. It can be so hard and unforgiving as to be nearly unapproachable upon release; leading some producers toward small barrels and shorter macerations; in the hope of rounding and fleshing out the wine.
What is the only variety allowed for production of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello).
What is Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Climate?
The town of Montalcino; 112 km/70 miles south of Florence; enjoys a warmer; drier climate than the various zones of Chianti. Indeed; it is the most arid of all Tuscan DOCG zones; with an annual rainfall of about 700 mm/28 in (compared with over 900 in central Chianti Classico).
In addition; a cool maritime breeze from the south west ensures both excellent ventilation and cool evenings and nights. Sangiovese reaches its maximum ripeness here; giving fuller; richer wines than anywhere else in Toscana.
What are Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Soils?
Soil is varied in Montalcino; with galestro characterizing the higher altitude vineyards.
Clay is predominant in the warmer southern reaches of the zone; and fossilized marine deposits are scattered throughout Montalcino.
Some notable Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Producers?
Among Montalcino’s better producers are Altesino; Argiano; Banfi; Case Basse; Costanti; Eredi Fuligni; Fossacolle; Lisini; Pieve di Santa Restituta (Gaja); and Poggio Antico.
What are Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Aging Requirements?
Minimum 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle; may not be sold before January 1 of the 5th year following the harvest;
for Riserva 2 years wood pluc 6 moths in bottle, sold after 6th year.
What are Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Aging Requirements?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is aged for a minimum of two years; with at least one year in wood.
Riserva wines are aged for at least three years.
What was firt Super Tuscan wine?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta’s Tenuta San Guido released the 1968 Sassicaia; a barrique aged Cabernet blend from Bolgheri in the Northern Maremma; as vino da tavola.
What kind of wine is Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
This DOC was created in 1983 in order to make the most of the fruit from younger vines of new plantings. The idea was to create a fresher style of wine that needed considerably less ageing time than its sibling. This would enable producers of Brunello to make money while waiting for their DOCG wine to age; as well as declassify any Brunello that had been ageing for two to three years but had not quite reached the required standards.
What kind of wine is Sant’Antimo DOC?
This DOC covers almost precisely the same production zone as the prestigious Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and its DOC siblings; Rosso di Montalcino and Moscadello di Montalcino and provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super Tuscan” wines.
What kind of wine is Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?
Title exists for white wines from the Montalcino region; produced from the Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) grape.
Moscadello wines are often sweet; and may be still or sparkling.
Region: Toscana.
What kind of wine is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
To the east of Montalcino; The zone shares with Brunello di Montalcino the distinction of being one of the first DOCGs in Italy; awarded in 1980.
The wines tend to be less firm than Chianti and less aggressively tannic than Brunello; striking a softer balance.
What kind of wine is Morellino di Scansano DOCG?
The coastal area in the southern Maremma; achieved DOCG status in 2006 for red wines based on a minimum 85% Sangiovese. This style of Sangiovese differs from its northern brethren due to the ripeness levels it can achieve in southern Tuscany. The result is a rounder and more savory style of wine.
Riserva wines are aged for a minimum of two years. Region: Toscana.
What kind of wine is Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
In 2013; the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC officially gained separate status as an appellation; a tribute to the producer’s renown and the only true monopole DOC in all of Italy.
Varieties: Min. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon; max. 20% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Tuscany. Wine must be aged for a minimum 2 years from January 1 of the year following the harvest; including at least 18 months in 225 liter barriques.
What kind of wine is Maremma Toscana DOC?
Maremma Toscana’s focus is on varietal wines; both dry and sweet. These may be produced from a wide array of grapes; including the local; traditional varieties and the more widely known ‘international’ varieties.
What varieties are used for production of Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
100% Sangiovese; Minimum Alcohol: 12%; wines may not be released until September 1 of the year following the harvest.
What varieties are used for production of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
The wines include a minimum 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile clone) and; as of 2010; a maximum 30% other varieties of Tuscany; including no more than 5% of white varieties.
Same varieties also for Rosso di Montepulciano DOC.
What varieties are used for production of Carmignano DOCG?
Minimum 50% Sangiovese; 10 up to 20% combined Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon; Maximum 20% Canaiolo Nero; Maximum 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano; Malvasia del Chianti; Canaiolo Bianco;
Region: Toscana.
What varieties are used for production of Bolgheri DOC Rosso/Rosso Superiore/Rosato?
0 up to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; 0 up to 100% Merlot; 0 up to 100% Cabernet Franc; maximum 50% Syrah; maximum 50% Sangiovese; maximum 30% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana.;
What varieties are used for production of Bolgheri DOC Bianco?
maximum 70% Vermentino; maximum 40% Sauvignon; maximum 40% Trebbiano Toscano; maximum 30% other white grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana. Also production of Varietal Vermentino/Sauvignon.
What are Bolgheri DOC Aging Requirements?
Rosso may not be released for sale before September 1 of the year following the harvest;
Rosso Superiore must be aged a minimum of 2 years from January 1 of the year following the harvest including at least 1 year in oak barrels.
What is the only white wine in Tuscany to enjoy DOCG status is?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Name three provinces where majority production occurs in Piemonte?
Most of Piedmont’s grape growing occurs in the foothills south of the Po Valley; in the provinces of Asti; Alessandria; and Cuneo.
Who is Savoia family?
The former aristocracy which ruled Piemonte region; the Savoia family; went on to rule the Kingdom of Italy from 1861 until Italy became a Republic in 1946 with the end of World War II.
What are two most important hills in Piemonte?
Monferrato and Langhe hills.
What is Sorì?
In the Langhe and Monferrato hills; many of the prized southern exposures; known as sorì in the Piedmontese dialect; are home to the region’s most noble and ageworthy red grape: the native Nebbiolo.
What is Piemonte most planted white grape?
Moscato Bianco (Muscat à Petits Grains) is Piedmont’s most planted white grape and is generally funneled into the production of the sparkling wines of Asti.
What kind of wine is Alta Langa DOCG?
Serious traditional method sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne or Franciacorta. These wines can be brut or extra brut in style and commonly are. Min. 90% combined Pinot Noir and/or Chardonnay. Total production process must not be less than 30 months;
Spumante Riserva: Total production process must not be less than 36 months;
All Alta Langa wines must be vintage dated.
What kind of wine is Moscato d’Asti?
It is a rarer and more artisanal product crafted from riper Moscato Bianco grapes. Although the maximum allowed pressure for the wine was raised from 1.7 to 2 atmospheres in 2011; Moscato d’Asti is still only slightly sparkling (frizzante) rather than spumante; and the wine remains delicate; with an alcohol level between 4.5% and 6.5%.
What kind of wine is Barolo Chinato?
It is a curiosity; a DOCG aromatized wine that is flavored with quinine. Once ridiculed by the wine press; Barolo Chinato has been resurgent particularly amongst sommeliers.
Cappellano is the standard bearer.
What kind of wine is Brachetto d’Acqui (Acqui) DOCG?
The sparkling reds of Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG retain local rustic charm. The wines are usually sweet and suitable as a dessert accompaniment.
Both dry and still versions of Brachetto exist; although they are increasingly rare.
What kind of wine is Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba/Diano d’ Alba DOCG?
Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba; Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba “Vigna”; Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba Superiore; Dolcetto di Diano d’ Alba Superiore “Vigna”.
100% Dolcetto.
What kind of wine is Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG?
The white wines; produced from the high acid; herbal scented Erbaluce grape; may be still; spumante; or passito in style; with the latter type generally provoking the most praise.
Region: Piemonte.
What kind of wine is Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG?
First still white wine in Piedmont to be promoted to the DOCG level. Although the wines are generally still (tranquillo); spumante or frizzante versions are sometimes encountered.
100% Cortese. Also Gavi Riserva, lower yields.
What are Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG Principal Soils?
Limestone rich clays.
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG Denominazione?
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore; Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore Riserva; Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore “Vigna”.
Ovada wines must be superiore to qualify for DOCG status.
What are Barbaresco DOCG Aging Requirements?
Minimum 26 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood); may be released after January 1 of the third year following the harvest; Barbaresco Riserva: Minimum 50 months from November 1 of the harvest year (minimum 9 months in wood); may be released after January 1 of the fifth year following the harvest.
What is “Vigna”?
“Vigna” refers to a single vineyard wine.
What is Barbaresco with “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive”?
These are “geographical designations” or Barbaresco’s subzones; or crus defined for collective use in 2007 under DOCG regulations.
What are Barbaresco DOCG Communes of Production?
Barbaresco; Neive; Treiso (a frazione of Barbaresco); San Rocco Senodelvio (part of Alba).
What is Asti DOCG Method of production?
Asti “Metodo Classico” must undergo secondary fermentation in the bottle; Asti undergoes secondary fermentation in autoclaves (Charmat/Martinotti Method);
Moscato d’Asti: maximum 2 bars (not subject to a secondary fermentation).
What varieties are used for production of Barbera d’Asti DOCG?
85 up to 100% Barbera; combined maximum 15% of Freisa; Grignolino and Dolcetto;
What varieties are used for production of Dogliani DOCG?
100% Dolcetto. Denominazione: Dogliani and Dogliani Superiore.
What varieties are used for production of Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG?
100% Dolcetto.
What varieties are used for production of Gattinara DOCG?
Minimum 90% Spanna (local name for Nebbiolo); maximum 10% in total of Bonarda di Gattinara and Vespolina (Vespolina cannot exceed 4%).
Region: Piemonte.
What varieties are used for production of Ghemme DOCG?
Minimum 85% Spanna; combined maximum 15% Vespolina and Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese).
Region: Piemonte.
What varieties are used for production of Roero DOCG?
Roero: minimum 95% Nebbiolo; Maximum 5% other non aromatic red grapes of Piemonte; Roero Arneis: minimum 95% Arneis; maximum 5% other non aromatic white grapes of Piemonte.
What appellation is the largest producer of DOCG wine in Italy?
Asti/Moscato d`Asti DOCG. Asti shed the pejorative “Asti Spumante” label with its move from DOC to DOCG; but the wines are always fully sparkling (spumante).
Both wines are sweet; but the hedonistic fragrance of the Moscato grape is preserved more effectively in Moscato d’Asti.
What kind of grape is Barbera?
Barbera; Piedmont’s most planted red grape; demonstrates high acidity but low tannin and is now subject to a range of stylistic interpretations.
What kind of grape is Dolcetto?
Dolcetto; the “little sweet one;” is the earliest to ripen and provides tannic; fruity wines that are lower in acid and are generally designed for youthful consumption.
What are arguably The Best Barbaresco producers?
Modernist Angelo Gaja; whose Nebbiolo based wines are often no longer released as Barbaresco DOCG but rather as the regional Langhe DOC.
The less iconic but equally talented Bruno Giacosa espouses the traditionalist approach in Barbaresco; and the local co operative; Produttori del Barbaresco; offers great value and exemplifies the terroir of the region.
Name Barolo DOCG Communes of Production?
Barolo; Castiglione Falletto; Serralunga d’Alba; Monforte d’Alba; and La Morra.
What is Barolo DOCG Aging Requirement?
Barolo: 38 months from November 1 of the harvest year; including 18 months in wood.;
Barolo Riserva: 62 months from November 1 of the harvest year; including 18 months in wood.
Barolo and Barbaresco are located along what river?
Barolo and Barbaresco are located along the Tanaro River in the Cuneo Province.
What is Barolo DOCG Soils?
Younger Tortonian soils; which contain a higher proportion of calcareous marl; characterize the vineyards of La Morra and Barolo and provide a softer, fruitier, aromatic wines which age relatively rapidly. Serravallian sandstone soils is less compact, poorer, and less fertile, and is more common in Monforte d’Alba and Serralunga d’Alba which yield more intense, structured wines that mature more slowly.
Name some Barolo DOCG “traditionalists” producers?
Giacomo Conterno; Bartolo Mascarello; Giuseppe Rinaldi.
Name some Barolo DOCG “modernist” producers?
Embraced barriques; shorter macerations; and a rounder style of wine: Paolo Scavino; Luciano Sandrone; Elio Altare.
How Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG taste like?
Characterized by its bright ruby red color; exuberant perfume of red berries and medium body; as well as moderate tannins and acidity with a smooth aftertaste and slightly bitter almond finish.
It is generally considered an excellent partner to hearty pasta dishes; in particular the local pasta dish of taglierini (long fresh pasta) with a mushroom or truffle sauce; and light stews.
How Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG taste like?
It is noted for its bone dry character and crisp; flinty and fresh acidity; coming from the mineral rich soils of the area. The bouquet is particularly floral; offering delicate aromas reminiscent of white flowers; lemons; green apples and honeydew. It is a well balanced wine; distinctly fruit driven with underlying hints of almonds on the finish. It may not display great potential alcohol but it is certainly an age worthy wine.
What kind of wine is Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
Probably the least known of the three Piedmontese classified Barbera zones but it is the largest of the trio. Where Alba and Asti produce strongly structured wines; their Monferrato equivalents are more aromatic and often a little less robust.
What kind of wine is Dolcetto d’Alba DOC?
It is considered the most notable of the Dolcetto classified reds; thanks to the considerable number of quality producers in the vicinity.
The production zone encompasses the Langhe hills east of Tarano around Alba; including 25 communes in the province of Cuneo; as well as the commune of Coazzolo in the province of Asti.
Some of the vineyards also overlap those of Barolo and Barbaresco.
What kind of wine is Dolcetto d’Alba DOC Baroleggia?
Some Dolcetto d’Alba is described as baroleggia; which means it is darker in color and has higher potential alcohol; giving the wine greater ageing potential.
What varieties are used for production of Alba DOC?
Rosso/Rosso Riserva 70% up to 85% Nebbiolo; 15% up to 30% Barbera; maximum 5% other non aromatic red grapes suitable for cultivation in Piemonte.
What varieties are used for production of Barbera d’Alba DOC?
Rosso/Rosso Superiore: 85% up to 100% Barbera; maximum 15% Nebbiolo.
What varieties are used for production of Barbera del Monferrato DOC?
Rosso/Rosso Frizzante: minimum 85% Barbera; maximum 15%; alone or combined; Freisa; Grignolino; Dolcetto.
What is mean abboccato?
Off-dry; somewhat sweet (approx. 7–15 g/l residual sugar for still wines, 12–35 g/l for frizzante wines, and 32–50 g/l for sparkling wines)
What is mean amabile?
Semisweet; demisec (approx. 15–45 g/l residual sugar for still wines, 30–50 g/l for frizzante wines, and 40–100 g/l for fortified wines; not used for sparkling wines)
What is mean anidride carbonica?
Carbon dioxide
What is mean anidride solforosa?
Sulfur dioxide
What is mean annata?
Vintage; year of harvest
What is mean appassimento?
The process of drying grapes, usually on straw mats in airy lofts, to concentrate their sugars.
What is mean asciutto?
Bone dry (officially synonymous with secco: less than approx. 7 g/l residual sugar for still wines, 17–32 g/l for sparkling wines)
What is mean autoclave?
Pressurized tank
What is mean azienda agricola?
wine estate; a farm that grows at least half grapes and produces its own wine
What is mean azienda vinicola?
a winemaking firm that buys most or all of its grapes from growers
What varieties are used for production of Dolcetto d’Acqui DOC?
Dolcetto; and Dolcetto Superiore. Varieties: 100% Dolcetto.
What varieties are used for production of Dolcetto d’Alba DOC?
Dolcetto; and Dolcetto Superiore; Varieties: 100% Dolcetto.
What varieties are used for production of Dolcetto d’Asti DOC?
Dolcetto; and Dolcetto Superiore. Varieties: 100% Dolcetto. Located in the Langhe hills in the Monferrato area; south east of Asti.
Wines tends to be lighter in style than the Dolcetto d’Alba wine.
What varieties are used for production of Dolcetto di Ovada DOC?
Dolcetto. Varieties: minimum 97% Dolcetto; maximum 3% other non aromatic grapes suitable for cultivation in Piemonte.
What kind of wine is Grignolino d’Asti DOC?
Grignolino was once tipped to be to Barolo and Barbaresco what Beaujolais is to Burgundy; a light hearted; affordable alternative to the region’s more serious; expensive wines; but the Grignolino bug has yet to catch on in any of the world’s wine markets. Grignolino performs a similar function to Dolcetto: it is an interim wine to drink while the ‘proper’ wines are quietly developing in the barrel and bottle. If Grignolino had Dolcetto’s depth or if Dolcetto had Grignolino’s acidity; things might be quite different. Region: Piemonte.
What kind of wine is Langhe DOC?
This DOC covers a much wider area than most others and has more relaxed production restrictions; allowing winemakers to experiment with varieties and techniques not sanctioned under other DOCs.
The creativity this affords the local winemakers has led to a new generation of high quality wines; many comparable to the prestigious ‘Super Tuscans’ from Tuscany.
