Tuscany

Question 1

What are the major & minor red grapes of Tuscany?

Answer 1

Sangiovese, montepulciano, cab, merlot, cab franc, syrah
Canaiolo & Colorino

Question 2

What are the major & minor white grapes of Tuscany?

Answer 2

Trebbiano, vernaccia, vermentino
Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc

Question 3

What is the climate of Tuscany?

Answer 3

Moderate mediterranean to moderate continental
Cold winters, hot summers, snow inland

Question 4

What is the topography of Tuscany like?

Answer 4

sandy plains near the coast, becoming rolling hills to appenine foothills. Soils vary greatly

Question 5

What are the important clones of Sangiovese in Tuscany?

Answer 5

Brunello/sangiovese grosso in Montalcino, prugnolo gentile in vino nobile di montepulciano

Question 6

What are the signature soils of Chianti?

Answer 6

Galaestro (friable marl) & Albarese (sandstone)

Question 7

Sketch out the general wine history of Tuscany.

Answer 7

8th century BCE: Etruscans bring the vine to Tuscany
3rd century BCE: Greeks take over Tuscan winemaking
!st century CE: Romans take over Tuscan winemaking
1282: Arte de Vinatierri’s guild is established to regulate the wine industry
14th century CE: rise of famous wine families: Frescobaldis, Ricosolis, Antinoris
1716 Chianti designated as a winegrowing region
1865 Clementi Santi of Bondi-Santi isolates & bottles the first sangiovese grosso clone of sangiovese
1932 Modern Chianti is delimited with 8 subzones
1968 Mario Rochetta releases Sassacaia as vino de tavola
1971: Piero Antinori releases Tignanel as vino de tavola
1980: Brunello’s promoted to DOCG
1984: Chianti’s promoted to DOCG
1987: Chianti Classico Project studies sangiovese clones for viticultural applications & historical significance
1992: Goria’s Law creates IGTs

Question 8

What is winemaking practices are traditional for chianti?

Answer 8

extended masceration & aging in large neutral botas

Question 9

What winemaking practices are modern for supertuscans?

Answer 9

cold mascerations & aging in new french barriques

Question 10

Which Tuscan whites are most likely to see new oak?

Answer 10

Just high end chardonnay. Others maintain varietal purity with stainless steel or neutral barrels

Question 11

What does the term “governo” indicate. Where is it used?

Answer 11

In Tuscany, Governo indicates the ripasso method of a second fermentation adding dried grapes to add alcohol & body