Tuscany Flashcards
Tuscany map (ID Chianti, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Bolgheri)
Tuscany geography (location and features)
Liguarian Sea to the northwest
Tyrrhenian Sea to Southwest
Apennine foothills to the east
Tuscany climate
Continental maritime with stronger maritime influence closer to coast
Tuscany white grapes
Trebbiano
Vermintino
Vernaccia
Tuscany red grapes
Sangiovese!
Brunello aka Sanviovese Grosso
Prugnolo Gentile
Cab Sauv
Merlot
Cab Franc
Tuscany soil
Galestro
Montalcino - Clay and marine sediments at lower elevation, Galestro at higher elevation.
Galestro
Schist based soil found in Tuscany.
What makes a Super Tuscan a Super Tuscan?
- 1970s/80s
- First made in the Bolgheri region
- Highly structured with lots of tannin and new oak/vanilla flavors.
- Bordeaux blends with mix of Sangiovese or pure Sangiovese wines
Brunello di Montalcino aging requirements
- Must be aged 4 yrs with 2 in oak
- Riserva must be aged 5 yrs with 2 in oak
- Traditional producers use Slavnonian oak casks to minimize oak and vanilla flavors
- Modern producers us new French oak barriques
Tuscany wine making styles
- Dry red and white
- Sweet Vin Santo
- Sangiovese based wines have a moderate intensity of color and tart acidity that outweighs tannin.
- Volatile acidity is common in these wines.
Italy wine classification
DOCG
DOC
IGP
Label terms
Superiore - increase alcohol level required
Classico - classic center of a region
Riserva - longer aging times required
Gran Selezione - top wine from a region, single vineyard, tasting test, aging requirements
What is the min % Sangiovese allowed in Chianti Classico?
80% min Sangiovese
What is the min % Sangiovese allowed in Chianti?
70% min Sangiovese
What is the min % of Brunello allowed in Brunello di Montalcino?
100% Brunello
Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano DOCG
70% min Prugnolo Gentile “little prune”
Sangiovese clone
Do not confused with Montepulciano grape!
What is the Bolgheri DOC best known for?
- Birthplace of Super Tuscan movement 1970s/80s
- Commercial success led to appellation
- Sassicaia and Tiganello are the main wines that ignited this movement
- 80% min Cab Sauv (secondary grapes Cab Franc, Merlot)
- Must be aged 1 yr
What is Rosso di Montepulciano?
Younger, lighter, fruitier, less complex and less expensive than vino nobile de Montepulciano
Made from lower quality grapes and no aging requirements
What are the subregions of Chianti Classico?
Rufino
Colli Senesi
Fiorenti
Vin Santo DOCs
Sweet wine from Tuscany
Roasted nut, fig, and vanilla spice flavors
Produced under following DOCs:
* Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
* Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
* Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
* Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC
Tuscany producers to know
Antinori - Brunello, Super Tuscan
Ruffino
Sassiciaia - Super Tuscan OG
Tiganello - Super Tuscan OG
Biondi Santi - Brunello OG (invented it)
Ornellaia - Super Tuscan
Masseto - Super Tuscan
Solaia - Super Tuscan
Soldera
La Pergole Torte - Super Tuscan
Chianti Classico producers to know
Castello di Volpaia
Querciabella
Brunello producers to know
Biondi-Santi
Il Poggione
Top Brunello vintages
2010
2012
2015
2016
Do you decant Brunello?
Always decant young Brunello
What is the history of the black rooster on the Chianti label?
- 13th century when Florence and Sienna battled for control of Chianti territory
- Knights rode in from respective cities at “roosters first crow” and the demarcation line was were they met
- Sienna - white rooster
- Florence - black rooster (crowed first because it was locked in a cage for days prior so knight covered more ground)
- Ended with Florence in control of nearly all of Chianti
Food pairings
Pasta with bolognese sauce - medium acid, tannins, and slightly smokey profule pair nicely with tomato based sauces and meat. Also works with Brunello!
Brunello current release and price
2017 is the “youngest” on shelves
anywhere from $80-$250 for top brands
Biondi-Santi is $250/bottle
