Tuscany Flashcards
Who is widely considered the father of Super Tuscan wines? What three iconic wines did he first vinify?
The famed oenologist Giacomo Tachis.
Sassicaia, Solaia, and Tignanello
Who is responsible for creating Ornellaia and Masseto?
Lodovico Antinori, brother of Piero
Who is credited with the creation of Brunello? In what year was the first bottle produced by the winery? What was the first vintage of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Biondi-Santi
1865; 1888 was the first released Brunello by Biondi-Santi by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi
What was bizarre about the creation of the Bolgheri DOC when it was originally established? When was it ammended?
When the DOC was established in 1983 it was originally only for rosé and white wine despite Sassicaia’s fame.
Was ammended in 1994 to include red wine and the subzone Sassicaia was created
What are the top 3 producers of Bolgheri DOC?
Sassicaia
Ornellaia
Grattamacco
What 3 varietals may be produce varietally in Bolgheri DOC? What is the max % of Sangiovese permitted?
Cab, Cab Franc, and Merlot can be produced varietally.
Max 50% Sangiovese permitted.
What DOC was added in 1996 for the production of wines from international varietals in Tuscany?
Sant’Antimo DOC; located in Siena
In what year did Brunellogate occur? What happened in this scandal?
2008; producers were found to be illegally blending in other grapes to produce Brunello di Montalcino wines.
How does the climate of Montalcino compare to the zones of Chianti producetion?
Warmer and drier than Chianti
What is the dominant soil type of the northern part of the Brunello di Montalcino zone? South? How are wines described generally from the north vs the south?
The north is has more galestro and the elevations are higher and for this reason the wines are said to be lighter and more aromatic than wines from the south.
There is more clay in the soils to the south and it tends to be lower in elevation and warmer so the wines are a little more full in style.
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Normale? Riserva:
Normale:
min 5 years including 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle. Not released until 1/1 of the 5th year following harvest.
Riserva:
min 6 years including 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle. Not released until 1/1 of the 6th year following harvest.
What is the practice of governo and what grape was/is most commonly used for it?
The practice of drying grapes and adding the pressed juice of these to young fermented wines for the purposes of accelerating malolactic fermentation and boosting alcohol levels. Canaiolo has commonly been the most used grape for this old practice that isn’t as common today.
What is the only Tuscan DOCG that requires Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend? What is the minimum percentage
Carmignano DOCG
Requires 10-20% Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a minimum 50% Sangiovese
Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings at Capezzana in Carmignano DOCG originally came from what famous estate?
Château Lafite
What is the young vines DOC for Carmignano DOCG?
Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC
Who makes Cincinnato and what is the grape?
Tenuta di Trinoro; Cesanese d’Affile
What are the 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG?
Colli Fiorentini Rufina Montalbano Colli Senesi Colline Pisane Colli Aretini Montespertoli
In what Chianti subzone is Selvapiana located?
Rufina
In what Chianti subzone is Pacina located?
Colli Senesi
What is the min % of Sangiovese for Chianti DOCG? Chianti Classico DOCG?
Chianti DOCG: Min 70% (min 75% in Colli Senesi)
Chianti Classico DOCG: Min 80%
As of what vintage are white grapes not longer allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG?
2006
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG Normale? Riserva? Gran Selezione?
Normale:
May not be released until October 1 of the year following harvest
Riserva:
Min 24 months from Jan 1 of the year following harvest including 3 months in bottle
Gran Selezione:
Produced from estate fruit and min 30 months from Jan 1 of the year following harvest with at least 3 months in bottle