Tuscany Flashcards
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Tuscany Major Red Grapes
Sangiovese (brunello, grosso, prugnolo gentile and many other clones),
Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah.
Tuscany Major White Grapes
Trebbiano, Vernaccia, Vermentino
Tuscany Minor Red Grapes
Canaiolo, Colorino
Tuscany Minor White Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay
Location of Tuscany
Located between the “spine” of the Apennine mountains and the coast, this region is
categorized by rolling hills, low-lying sandy plains, and rugged mountain terrain.
Weather in Tuscany
hot
summers, and cold winters, with high snowfall inland.
Major Cities in Tuscany
Florence, Siena, Livorno, and
Pisa
Climate of Tuscany
Mediterranean at the sea and moves into a Continental climate with
Mediterranean influences near the base of the Apennines
Tuscany Soils
Soils are marl and clay-limestone with sandstone in the Apennines, sandy-clay near San Gimignano, gravelly clay (similar to Bordeaux), and sand near Maremma, with many other patchworks around the region
Chianti Soils
two main soils are galestro (friable marl), and albarese (sandstone)
Tuscany Ancient History
8th Century BCE: Etruscans bring vines to Tuscany.
3rd Century BCE: Greeks take over winemaking.
1st Century AD: The Romans take over Tuscany.
1282: The Arte dei Vinattieri guild is formed that regulates the selling of wine.
14th Century AD: The rise of many of the prestigious wine-growing families such as the Frescobaldi’s, Ricasolis, and Antinori’s
When is Chianti designated as a growing region?
1716
Clementi Santi of Biondi-Santi isolates and bottles the first Brunello clone of
Sangiovese in?
1865
When are Modern Chianti boundaries are set with eight subzones?
1932
What did Marquis Mario Rochetta release in 1968?
the first “Super Tuscan,” Sassicaia, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is classified as Vino di Tavola
In 1971 Piero Antinori releases his own “Super Tuscan,” called?
Tignanello, a blend of Sangiovese and
Merlot, aged and made in the style of Bordeaux. It is classified as Vino di Tavola
When was Brunello di Montalcino is upgraded to DOCG?
1980
When were Chianti and Chianti Classico upgraded to DOCG?
1984
Goria’s Law
Goria’s Law is created to give wines a tighter designation while being able to have
more creativity. This is the indicazione geograflca tipica or IGT category.
Chianti Classico 2000 Project
The creation of the Chianti Classico 2000 Project by the Consorzio Vino Chianti
Classico. This project studies clonal variations of Sangiovese for historical context and viticulture use such as disease resistance
Winemaker Preferences
Much of the Sangiovese grown here is vinified according to traditional techniques such as longer macerations and aging in neutral large Botti. Some producers such as those that make Super Tuscans will age wines in new French barrique and incorporate cold
macerations
Tannic Red Winemaker Preferences
Regions that make tannic reds like Brunello will have extended aging requirements on
the wines to soften them before release.
White Winemaker Preferences
Whites here are usually easy drinking and do not see any new oak aging unless it is a highend Chardonnay. These wines may be fermented in a neutral barrel but will still maintain
varietal purity
Governo
refermenting a wine with the juice of dried grapes. Used to give alcohol and
body to wines in Chianti.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
dry red wines from the Brunello clone of Sangiovese. Can be
Riserva or Vigna (single-vineyard). Aging: minimum 2 years in wood, with 4 months in
bottle, a total of 5 years; Riserva: minimum 2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle, a total of 6 years
Chianti DOCG
Dry red wine from a minimum 70% Sangiovese. Can be Riserva, Superiore,
Vigna or labeled with a subzone. Riserva must be aged two years before release
Subzones of Chianti DOCG
Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Montespertoli, Montalbano, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini,
Colline Pisane
Chianti Classico DOCG
Dry red wines from a minimum 80% Sangiovese. Can be Classico,
Riserva, and Gran Selezione
Gran Selezione
estate grown, min. 90% Sangiovese and longer aging
Four original villages of Chianti Classico production
Radda, Gaiole, Castellina, Greve
Carmignano DOCG
Dry red wine from a minimum of 50% Sangiovese, can be Riserva
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
Dry red wine from a minimum of 90% Sangiovese, can be Riserva
Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Dry red wine from a minimum of 85% Sangiovese, can be Riserva
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Dry red wine from a minimum of 70% Sangiovese, can be Riserva
Roso della Val di Cornia
Dry red wine from a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet
Sauvignon, can be Riserva
Suvereto DOCG
Red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other international
varieties. Can be Riserva and varietally labeled
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Dry white wine from Vernaccia, can be Riserva
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Sweet red wines from the Aleatico grape, dried for a
minimum of ten days before pressing
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
“Baby” Brunello from 100% Sangiovese, can be Vigna
Bolgheri DOC
White, rosato, red, varietal Vermentino, varietal Sauvignon Blanc, for
international varieties and “Super Tuscans.”
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
For Cabernet Sauvignon based red wines
Sant’Antimo DOC
Still red, white, and Vin Santo from all varieties allowed in Tuscany. This
is an outlet for “Super Tuscans.”
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC
Dry, sparkling, and sweet wines from Moscato Bianco
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
White and red dessert wines from Trebbiano and Sangiovese.
The red style is called “Occhio di Pernice,” and can be Riserva
Major Villages
Montalcino, Montepulciano, Florence, Siena, Livorno,
and Pisa
Major Chianti Classico Vineyards/Producers
Felsina, Fontodi, Isole e Olena, Badia e Coltibuono, Volpaia, Barone
Ricasoli, Antinori, Montevertine
Major Brunello Producers
Biondi Santi, Case Basse (Soldera), Altesino, Silvio Nardi, Col d’Orcia,
Talenti, Fattoria dei Barbi, Castello Banfi, Ciacci Piccolomini
Major Super Tuscan Producers
Tenuta san Guido, Ornellaia, Le Macchiole, Ca’ Marcanda (Gaia), Tenuta
Guado al Tasso, Antinori
