TUSCANY

Question 1

What are three main cities in Tuscany area?

Answer 1

Florence, Pisa, Siena

Question 2

How many different clones of Sangiovese are there?

Answer 2

There are hundreds of different clones or subvarieties of Sangiovese. Some give more color; others, more aromatics; still others, more tannin.

Question 3

What is the climate of Tuscany?

Answer 3

Mediterranean

Question 4

What are the primary red grape varieties in Tuscany?

Answer 4

Sangiovese, CS, CF, Merlot, Colorino, Canaiolo Nero

Question 5

In addition to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, what are the traditional white grape varieties of Tuscany?

Answer 5

Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, and Vernaccia.

Question 6

What is the winemaking technique known as “governo”?

Answer 6

This practice involves the use of grapes that have become overripe on the vine or dried after harvest that are added to a batch of fermenting wine just as it is finishing fermentation. This extends the fermentation and often initiates malolactic fermentation, resulting in a richer, rounder wine with softer acids and less volatility.

Question 7

What is a specialty wine Tuscany is known for and what grapes are used to make it?

Answer 7

“Vin santo”, typically a white wine, is made primarily from Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga grapes. However, a light red or amber-hued version known as occhio di pernice (“eye of the partridge”) may be produced based on Sangiovese.

Question 8

What is the minimum Sangiovese content for basic Chianti DOCG wines?

Answer 8

70%. Other permitted varieties are Canaiolo Nero, the white grapes Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia, and “other suitable red varieties”.

Question 9

What are the seven Chianti subzones?

Answer 9

Colli Aretini, Fiorentini, Senesi, Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli, Rufina

Question 10

What differentiates Chianti Classico DOCG from Chianti DOCG?

Answer 10

1) Higher Sangiovese requirement 80% 2) white grapes are not permitted 3) Cant’ be sold for one year after harvest and 4) must have minimum 12% alcohol (a “riserva”must age for two years and have minimum 12.5% alcohol)

Question 11

How long must Brunello di Montalcino be aged?

Answer 11

4 years, with at least two years in wood and four months in the bottle….. 100% Sangiovese

Question 12

How long must Montalcino di Rosso be aged?

Answer 12

1 year (six months minimum in wood). 100% Sangiovese

Question 13

How long must Vino Nobile di Montepulciano be aged?

Answer 13

24 months (36 for “riserva” wines) with 12 month minimum oak. 70% minimum Sangiovese; 30 other including up to 5% white. Rosso di Montepulciano only requires 6 months of ageing.

Question 14

What are the blending requirements for Carmignano DOCG?

Answer 14

Sangiovese (at least 50%), Canaiolo Nero (up to 20%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (10 to 20% each). Must be aged 2 years in barrel.

Question 15

What are the blending/aging requirements for Morellino di Scansano

Answer 15

Minimum 85% Sangiovese, with the remaining 15% comprised of Italian varieties like Canaiolo, Malvasia, Ciliegiolo, or Montepulciano. Sometimes French varieties like Merlot, Syrah, or Cabernet Sauvignon feature as well.
No ageing requirements. A “riserva” wine must have spent at least two years maturing (at least one year must be in oak).

Question 16

Where was the Super Tuscan movement born?

Answer 16

In Maremma, near the town of Bolgheri with the introduction of the Cabernet-based Sassicaia,

Question 17

What are the blending/ageing requirements for the Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 17

Today a Bolgheri Rosso, Rosso Superiore or Rosé may be made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, or a blend combining one or more of these, and/or up to 50% of Syrah or Sangiovese. Other red grapes such as Petit Verdot may account for up to 30%. Must be aged 24 months, 12 in oak.

Question 18

What is Tuscany’s best known white wine region?

Answer 18

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG. area. The indigenous Vernaccia grape is quite ancient, with historical evidence of its existence dating to the thirteenth century, and with literary mentions of it found in Dante’s Divine Comedy.