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Certified Sommelier Exam (CMS 2) > Tuscany > Flashcards

Tuscany Flashcards

1
Q

Generally describe the natural boundaries of Tuscany.

A

Extends from the Ligurian Sea in the west to the foothills of the Apennine Mountains in the east.

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2
Q

What is/are the general climate(s) found in Tuscany?

A

Continental/Maritime with stronger Maritime influence near the coast.

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3
Q

What is the main mountain range that runs across the northern part of Tuscany?

This range also curves around its east side.

A

Apennine Mountians

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4
Q

What are the 2 seas that Tuscany touches?

A
  1. Ligurian Sea
  2. Tyrrhenian Sea
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5
Q

Find Chianti Classico, Montalcino, and Bolgheri on the map.

A
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6
Q

Name the 3 main white grape varieties grown in Tuscany.

A
  1. Trebbiano
  2. Vermentino
  3. Vernaccia
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7
Q

Name the 6 most commonly found and used red grape varieties in Tuscany.

A
  1. Sangiovese
  2. Brunello/Sangiovese Grosso
  3. Prugnolo Gentile
  4. Cabernet Sauvignon
  5. Merlot
  6. Cabernet Franc
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8
Q

Galestro - what is it and where is it found?

A
  • Galestro is a description of a schistous-clay formation in the soil (it’s technically not a soil type).
  • Found in Tuscany, specifically in Chianti Classico and Montalcino.

Note that Montalcino also has albarese, or limestone, in some vineyard areas.

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9
Q

Montalcino in Tuscany not only has galestro, it also has albarese.

  • What is albarese and where is it found in Montalcino?
  • Where is galestro found in Montalcino?
A
  • Albarese is clay and marine sediments (limestone) at lower elevation.
  • Galestro at higher elevation.
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10
Q

Fill in the blank.

Brunello di Montalcinio must be ___% this grape.

A

must be 100% Sangiovese

(locally known as Brunello)

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11
Q

What is the aging requirement for Brunello di Montalcino (normale)?

A
  • Minimum 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle.
  • May not be sold before January 1 of the 5th year following harvest.
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12
Q

What is the aging requirement for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?

A
  • Minimum 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle.
  • May not be sold before January 1 of the 6th year following harvest.
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13
Q
  • Most Brunello di Montalcinos mature in what kind of casks?
  • What size will the casks be?
A
  • Large Slavonian.
  • Some producers will use French oak if they want to impart a greater sense/flavor of oak.

Note that Slavonian oak comes from the forested, inland area of northern Croatia. Read HERE for the differences between Slovenia, Slavonia, and Slovakia.

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14
Q

What are the 3 most commonly made styles of wine made in Tuscany, Italy?

A
  1. Dry red wines
  2. Dry white wines
  3. Sweet Vin Santo
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15
Q

How would you briefly describe the dry red wines of Tuscany?

A
  • Most are Sangiovese-based wines that have a moderate intensity of color and tart acidity that outweighs tannin.
  • Volatile Acidity is common in these wines.
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16
Q

Describe the Gran Selezione category for Chianti Classico that was approved in 2014.

A
  • Must come from estate grown grapes and are required to be aged for at least 30 months prior to release, also with 3 months in bottle.
  • Higher minimum alcohol level than Chianti Classico of 13%.
  • As of 2021, Gran Selezione must contain at least 90% Sangiovese.
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17
Q

Chianti DOCG
What is the minimum % Sangiovese required?

A

70% Sangiovese, but can be 100% Sangiovese.

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18
Q

Chianti DOCG
What other grapes are allowed in the blend?

A
  • Maximum 10% white grapes.
  • Maximum 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
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19
Q

What are Chianti DOCG aging requirements?

A

May not be released until March 1 of the year following the harvest.

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20
Q

What are the Chianti Riserva DOCG aging requirements?

A

Minimum 2 years aging from January 1 of the year following harvest.

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21
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG
What is the minimum % Sangiovese required?

A

80% Sangiovese, but can be 100% Sangiovese.

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22
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG
What other grapes are allowed in the blend?

A

Maximum 20% other red grapes authorized by Siena and Firenze (including, among others, Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot).

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23
Q

As of the 2006 vintage, what 2 grapes are no longer allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG?

A
  1. Trebbiano Toscano
  2. Malvasia Bianco
24
Q

What are Chianti Classico DOCG aging requirements?

A

May not be released until October 1 of the year following harvest.

25
Q

What are Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG aging requirements?

A

Minimum 24 months aging from January 1 of the year following harvest, including 3 months in the bottle.

26
Q

Rosso di Montalcino DOCG
What is the minimum % Sangiovese required?

A

Must be 100% Sangiovese.

27
Q

What are the aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino DOCG?

A

Wines may not be released until September 1 of the year following harvest.

28
Q

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
What is the minimum % Sangiovese required?

A

Minimum 70% Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile).

29
Q

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
What other grapes are allowed in the blend?

A

Maximum 30% combined other red and white authorized grapes of Tuscany (maximum 5% of non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga).

30
Q

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
What is the minimum % Sangiovese?

A

Minimum 70% Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile).

Same as Vino Nobile!

31
Q

Bolgheri DOC Bianco can be any blend of what grape varieties?

A

Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Viognier with maximum 40% other white grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana.

32
Q

What are the laws around white wines from Bolgheri DOC that state either Vermentino or Sauvignon variety on the label?

A
  • Minimum 85% of the stated variety.
  • Maximum 15% other white grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana.
33
Q

What are the permissible red grape varieties and their percentages for Bolgheri DOC?

A
  • 0 - 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 0 - 100% Merlot
  • 0 - 100% Cabernet Franc
  • maximum 50% Syrah
  • maximum 50% Sangiovese
  • maximum 30% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana
34
Q

Generally describe a Vin Santo wine.

A

Vin Santo, or “holy wine,” is a high alcohol, almond- and honey-toned dried grape wine produced mostly from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes.

Grechetto is sometimes authorized.

Rosé versions called “Occhio di Pernice” are produced with a minimum of 50% Sangiovese added to the white grapes.

35
Q

Name the 4 Vin Santo appellations found in Tuscany, Italy.

A
  1. Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
  2. Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
  3. Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC
  4. VIn Santo di Montepulciano DOC
36
Q

What does the term ‘Superiore’ mean on a bottle of wine from Tuscany?

A

Increased alcohol level.

Usually .5% to 1% more than a normale.

37
Q

What does the term ‘Classico’ refer to on a bottle of wine from Italy?

A

Classic center of a region.

38
Q

What does the term ‘Riserva’ generally mean on a bottle of wine from Italy?

A

Longer aging times required.

39
Q

Briefly describe what a Super Tuscan wine is.

A

Can be:

  • Bordeaux grape variety blends
  • Bordeaux varieties with Sangiovese
  • Pure Sangiovese wines
  • Pure Bordeaux grape varieites
40
Q

Select the correct answer.

The term ‘Passito’ on a bottle of wine generally means that the wine inside the bottle is:

a. Dry
b. Sweet
c. Sparkling

A

Sweet

41
Q

Name 3 of the largest and important producers of Tuscany.

A
  1. Antinori
  2. Ruffino
  3. Sassicaia
42
Q

Name 5 important producers of Brunello di Montalcino.

A
  1. Biondi-Santi
  2. Ciacci Piccolimini
  3. Sesti
  4. Soldera
  5. Lisini
43
Q

Name 5 important Bolgheri DOC producers.

A
  1. Grattamarco
  2. Le Macchiole
  3. Ornellaia
  4. Guado al Tasso
  5. Banfi
44
Q
  • Who makes Tignanello?
  • What grapes are in it?
A
  • Marchesi Antinori
  • Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc

Learn more about Tignanello HERE.

45
Q
  • Who makes Solaia?
  • What grapes are in it?
A
  • Marchesi Antinori
  • Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc

Learn more about Solaia HERE.

46
Q
  • What are the grapes in Masseto?
  • What is its appellation?
A
  • Merlot-dominant with some Cab Franc
  • Toscana

It’s a Super Tuscan. Read more about Masseto HERE.

47
Q

Soldera makes both a Toscana IGP and a Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.

What are the grapes in each bottling?

A

100% Sangiovese

Read more about Soldera HERE

48
Q

Who makes Le Pergole Torte?

A

Montevertine

49
Q

Who were the people who put Montevertine wines on the map?

A
  • Sergio Manetti (owner)
  • Giulio Gambelli (winemaker)
50
Q

Le Pergole Torte is a wine that’s named after a single parcel called Pergole Torte.

What year was Pergole Torte planted?

A

1968

Nine tenths of the Pergole Torte vineyard is planted to Sangiovese, the remainder dedicated to Colorino and Canaiolo.

51
Q

While Le Pergole Torte is considered a Super Tuscan, it actually is within this DOCG’s boundaries.

A

Chianti Classico DOCG

Read more about Montevertine HERE.

52
Q

What are the top Brunello di Montalcino vintages of the past 15 years?

A
  • 2019
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2012
  • 2010
53
Q

What is the story behind the Gallo Nero on Chianti Classico bottles?

A
  • The black rooster icon (Gallo Nero) comes from the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Siena attempting to resolve consistent conflicts.
  • The story goes that at dawn, one knight from Siena and one from Florence would leave their respecitve cities and travel in the direction of the Chianti territory; Since the moment of departure was decisive, it was decided to rely on the cockcrow.
  • The men of Siena chose a white rooster and fed it in the belief that it would sing much louder at dawn. On the contrary, the Florentines preferred a black rooster that they left hungry for several days and locked in a dark room.
  • The day of the competition came – Starved by hunger, the black rooster began to sing as soon as he was freed: the Florentine knight was able to leave first, even before the sun came up. In Siena, however, the white rooster sang at the first light of dawn, having slept a few more hours as he was full. As a result, the Sienese knight left with a strong delay with respect to the challenger.

The two knights met at Fonteruoli, just 12 km from Siena – so almost the entire Chianti region was annexed to the Republic of Florence.

54
Q

Briefly describe the history Super Tuscans.

A
  • It was a category born of frustration with Italy’s traditional wine production rules. Ambitious producers sought to make modern styles and experiment outside the restrictions of the Italian appellation system.
  • Producers created new brands blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese, or make 100% Merlot. They also played with aging periods and vessels like cement and small oak barrique.
  • Because they were bucking the DOC/DOCG system, they had to bottle their wines as Vino da Tavola.
  • As the wines grew in prominence, authorities acknowledged the labeling system’s inadequacies.
  • In 1992, the Italian government introduced a new wine classification: Toscana IGT.

Read more about the history of Super Tuscans HERE.

55
Q

Would you decant or not decant a young Brunello di Montalcino?

A

Decant

56
Q

Name some classic pairings for Chianti and Brunello.

A
  • Steak
  • Tomato-based sauces
  • Meat sauces
  • Pizza
  • Lamb
  • Roasted or stewed game birds
  • Pecorino, Parmesan, Asiago cheeses
57
Q

What are the ballpark prices for current Brunello on a wine list?

A
  • $200 on the low end
  • Most good/great producers’ prices go between $300-$500
  • Soldera and Biondi-Santi $1200+

Certified Sommelier Exam (CMS 2) (49 decks)

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