Tuscany Flashcards
What was the first Super Tuscan?
Sassicaia in 1968
What is the climate of Tuscany?
Dry Mediterranean
In Tuscany, Sangiovese is often blended with?
Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo
Sangiovese is the principle red grape in which DOCGs?
Chianti, Chianti Classico, Carmignano, Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano, Morellini di Scansano, Montecucco Sangiovese. It is the sole red grape of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
What is the main white grape of Tuscany?
Trebbiano Toscano (Italy’s most painted white grape), Malvasia is often blended in
Chianti DOCG has 8 subzones:
Classico, Rùfina, Colli Florentini, Colli Senesi, Collini Pisano, Colli Aretinu, Montalbano and Montespertoli
Who is credited with defining the classic blend of Chianti?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
What is the general recipe of Chianti DOCG?
70-100% Sangiovese, optional white grapes of Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia, other red grapes of the region comprise the rest
Aging of Chianti:
Normale may be released on March 1st of the year following the harvest. Riserva is aged for atleast 2 years. Chianti Superiore wines require an additional half degree of alcohol.
Chianti and Chianti Classico were upgraded to DOCG in?
1984
What are the main soils of Tuscany?
Sandstone and marl
Chianti Classico blend?
Minimum 80% Sangiovese, no white grapes allowed. Minimum alcohol level is 12% compared to 11.5% for Chianti.
Chianti Classico DOCG aging requirements:
May not be released until October 1st of the year following harvest. Riserva must be aged for minimum 24 months and a minimum alcohol level of 12.5%. Gran Selezione wines must come from estate grown grapes and are required to be aged for atleast 30 months.
Who was the first Brunello di Montalcino producer?
Biondi Santi in 1865
Brunello di Montalcino aging:
Aged in cask for a minimum two years and bottle for an additional four months, six months for Riserva. The wines may not be released until January 1st of the 5th year following harvest, or until the 6th year for Riserva.
What are the soils of Montalcino?
Galestro for the higher-altitude vineyards. Clay in the warmer south, and fossilized marine deposits scattered throughout.
What is the aging for Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
One year prior to release, casks aging is not required
To the east of Montalcino is which DOCG?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
What are the grapes in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Minimum 70% Sangiovese, a maximum 30% other red varietals of Tuscany and no more than 5% white varietals.
What is the aging of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Aged for a minimum two years, with atleast one year in wood. Riserva wines are aged for atleast three years.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines are like what in compared to other Tuscany wines?
Less firm than Chianti and less tannic than Brunello, striking a softer balance.
What is the main grape of Sassicaia?
Barrique-aged Cabernet blend
What is the main grape of Tignanello?
Barique aged red wine with 85% Sangiovese
What is the main grape of Antinori’s Solaia?
Cabernet based
What are the main grapes of Ornellaia?
Bordeaux blend
What are the main grapes of Masetto?
Merlot based
Due to super Tuscans being simply labeled as vino da tavola, IGT was created in:
1992
Bolgheri is an appellation that permits which grapes?
Pure varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. As well as Bordeaux-style blends; and even include Syrah and Sangiovese.
What is the aging for Bolgheri Superiore?
Minimum 2 years, one year in oak barrel, and show a minimum of 12.5%
What are the leading white grapes of Bolgheri?
Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc
What is the one true monopole DOC in all of Italy?
Bolgheri Sassaicaia DOC
What is the one white wine in Tuscany to have DOCG status?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
What is the only dessert wine to reach DOCG status in Tuscany?
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG, they make sweet red passito wines made from the Aleatico grape
What is the traditional dessert bottling in Tuscany?
Vin santo, it is a high alcohol, almond and honey toned dried grape wine produced from Trebbiano and Malvasia grape.
How is Vin santo made?
Grapes are hung from rafters and radiated until December 1sts. Slow fermentation follows, for a period of 3 to 8 years. Chestnut wood is traditionally used, allowing rapid oxidation. The barrels are never topped and alcohol is concentrated.
