Tuscany Flashcards
Tuscany DOCGs (11)
DOCGs
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Carmignano DOCG Chianti DOCG Chianti Classico DOCG Elba Aleatico Passito (Aleatico Passito dell’Elba) DOCG Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG Morellino di Scansano DOCG Rosso della Val di Cornia (Val di Cornia Rosso) DOCG Suvereto DOCG Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Tuscan Grapes
Grapes White Vernaccia Trebbiano Malvasia Chardonnay Vermentino
Red Sangiovese Synonyms: Sangioveto Prugnolo Gentile Brunello-Sangiovese Grosso Morellino di Scansano
Other Reds Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah Colorino Canaiolo
Tuscan Climate
Dry, maritime-influence climate, with a wide variation of meso climates
State the aging requirements for Brunello and Brunello Riserva
Brunello
min. 2 yrs. in wood (+ 4 mos. in bottle)
may not be sold before Jan. 1 of the 5th yr. following harvest
Brunello Riserva
min. 2 yrs. in wood (+ 6 mos. in bottle)
may not be sold before Jan. 1 of the 6th yr. following harvest
What is Chianti Fiasco
Bulb-shaped bottle covered with straw (because of flawed bottle)
Came to symbolize image of inexpensive, rustic Italian wine in the 1960’s –1980’s
Chianti DOCG
DOCG since 1984
Provinces: Firenze, Siena, Arezzo, Prato, Pisa, Pistoia
Varietals
- Chianti: 70-100% Sangiovese
- Max. 10% white grapes
- Max. 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc
Chianti DOCG
Aging Requirement
Aging
Chianti
may be released on Mar. 1 of the year following harvest. However, the sub-zones of R fina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini require additional aging
Riserva
cannot be released until Sept. 1 of the year following harvest
min. 11.5/12%ABV required (same as Chianti)
Superiore
min. 2 yrs. aging from Jan. 1 following harvest
min. 12% ABV required
Chianti DOCG
Subregions
Subzones/subregions:
- Classico
- R fina (Firenze)
- Colli Fiorentini (Firenze)
- Colli Senesi (Siena)
- Colline Pisane (Pisa)
- Colli Aretini (Arezzo)
- Montalbano (Prato, Pistoia, Firenze)
- *In 1997, Montespertoli became the eighth sub-region of Chianti.
Chianti Classico DOCG
Provinces: Firenze and Siena
Communes of Production: Siena: -Radda in Chianti -Gaiole in Chianti -Castellina in Chianti -Castelnuovo Berardenga -Poggibonsi
Firenze:
- Greve in Chianti
- Barberino Val d’Elsa
- San Casciano Val di Pesa
- Tavernelle Val di Pesa
Varietals
Chianti: 80-100% Sangiovese
Maximum 20% other red grapes authorized by Siena & Firenze (i.e. Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
As of the 2006 vintage, Trebbiano Toscano & Malvasia Bianco are no longer allowed
Chianti Classico DOCG
Aging Requirements
Aging
Chianti
May be released after Oct. 1 of the year following harvest
min. 12% ABV
Riserva
Min. 24 mos. aging from Jan. 1 of the year following harvest, including 3mos. in bottle
min. 12.5%ABV
Gran Selezione
(category added in 2013)
Must be produced from estate fruit; min. 30 mos. aging from Jan. 1 of the year following harvest, including at least 3 mos. in bottle
min. 13% ABV
Tuscan Producers
Marchesi Antinori
Estate history dates back to 1385
Lead player in Super Tuscan movement
Félsina
Founded 1966
Vineyards developed over 1000 years
Practicing biodynamic
Querciabella
Founded 1974
Biodynamic
Vineyards in Chianti Classico& Maremma
Marchesi de Frescobaldi
Proud history as viticulturists –producing wine for approx. 700 years –more than 30 generations
Family dominates the R fina sub-zone
Bought Ornellaiain 2005
Badiaa Coltibuono
Vinicultural history shows evidence of winemaking on the property from the first century A.D. Roman period
Estate is located in the commune of Gaiolein Chianti, and is led by the fifth generation of family members
Castello di Ama
Est. in the 1980’s
Labels depcit the knight Guidoriccio da Fogliano, painted by Simone Martini, in the 1330 fresco at Siena City Hall.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Province Siena
Comune Montalcino
Varietals
100% Sangiovese (referred to as Brunello)
Min. ABV 12.5%
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Aging
Brunello
min. 2 yrs. in wood (+ 4 mos. in bottle)
may not be sold before Jan. 1 of the 5th yr. following harvest
Brunello Riserva
min. 2 yrs. in wood (+ 6 mos. in bottle)
may not be sold before Jan. 1 of the 6th yr. following harvest
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
From young vines, or declassified Brunello
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC
Sweet Muscats
Top Brunello Producers
Biondi-Santi Gianni Brunelli Case Basse Soldera Lisini Mastrojanni Salvioni Pian dell’Orino Poggio di Sotto Salvioni-Cerbaiola Tenuta Il Poggione Il Marroneto
Name 1 of the DOCs created to include the Super Tuscans
Sant’ Antimo DOC
Created in 1996 to bring other Super Tuscans into DOC system specifically from Montalcino
Bolgheri DOC
Appellation created in 1994 which includes sub-zone ‘Bolgheri Sassicaia
Recommend a red Tuscan DOCG other than Chianti and name the grape
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Province: Siena
- Varietals:
min. 70% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese)
(max. 5% of non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga permitted)
Blends similar to Chianti with max. 30% other Tuscan red varieties permitted
-Min. ABV: 12.5% ; 13% Riserva
Describe the production and style of Vin Santo
Vin Santo DOC
-Dessert wine from passito Trebbiano di Toscana, Malvasia, & Grechetto grapes fermented slowly in small wooden barrels (caratelli)
- Included in few DOCs i.e. Chianti Classico
- Matured min. 3 yrs. up to 6 yrs.
- Occhio de Pernice–min. 50% Sangiovese added to white grapes
Tuscany only white DOCG
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
-Dry white from Vernaccia Grape with up to 10% Chardonnay & Trebbiano di Toscana
Super Tuscan
“Super Tuscan” is a term used to describe red wines from Tuscany that may include non-indigenous grapes, particularly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah. The creation of super Tuscan wines resulted from the frustration winemakers had towards a slow bureaucracy in changing Italy’s wine law during the 1970s. Winemakers began mixing ‘unsanctioned’ wine varieties (like Merlot) into their blends to make high-quality wines. The legal system eventually yielded in 1992 with the creation of IGT, a new designation that gave winemakers the ability to be more creative.
Super Tuscans Wines & Producers
Sassicaia (Tenuta San Guido)
Tignanello (Marchesi Antinori)
Solaia (Marchesi Antinori)
Ornellaia (Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia)
First Super Tuscan and its non traditional grape
The most famous super Tuscan wine was called “Tignanello” and was created by Antinori in 1971. It was the first super Tuscan wine, and today Tignanello is a blend of 80% Sangiovese 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.
Tignanello (Marchesi Antinori)
• 1st vintage 1970
• Typical blend: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Sangiovese
Place of Origin: Southern Italy
Parentage: Ciliegiolo x Calabrese di Montenuovo
Origin of grape name: Suggested that Sangiovese is derived from the Latin Sanguis Jovis “blood of Jove”
“Blood of Jupiter”
governo?
governo—refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation
The technique involves saving a parcel of harvested grapes and allowing them to partially dry.
