Tuscany Flashcards
Tuscany Location/Geography
-extends from Ligurian Sea in west to foothills of Appenine Mountains in east
Tuscany Climate
- dry, maritime-influenced climate, winters can be harsh and summers can be long and hot, many mesoclimates
- Montalcino is typically more arid
- Montepulciano, further inland, more continental climate.
Tuscany White Grapes
- Trebianno Toscano [Italy’s most planted white]
- Malvasia
- Vernaccia
Tuscany Red Grapes
- Sangiovese
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Canaiolo
- Syrah
Chianti DOCG Grapes/Rules
- Red Wines Only
- Sangiovese (minimum 70%)
Chianti Subzones
- Rùfina
- Colli Fiorentini
- Colli Senesi
- Colline Pisane
- Colli Aretini
- Montalbano
- Montespertoli
Chianti Classico DOCG rules/grapes
- Dry reds only
- 80% Sangiovese
- as of 2006 no whites allowed in blend
Chianti Classico DOCG aging
- min 12 months aged
- Riserva 24 months aging [3 in bottle]
- Gran Selezione: single estate, aged 6 month longer than Riserva
Chianti Producers
- Fescobaldi
- Fattoria Selvapiana
- Antinori
- Ruffino
Chianti Classico Soils
- Galestro, a soft Marl like soil
- Sandstone
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG grapes/rules
- dry reds only
- 100% Sangiovese Grosso (locally called Brunello)
Brunello di Montalcino aging
- 2 years in oak + additional 4 months bottle (6 riserva)
- not sold until Jan 1st after 5th year of harvest
Brunello di Montalcino Vinification
-large slovenian oak barrells or small barriques used per producer
Brunello di Montalcino producers
- Biondi Santi [traditional]
- Soldera [traditional]
- Conti Costanti
- Casanova Di Neri [modernist]
Rosso di Montalcino DOC rules
-same as Brunello Di Montalcino but 1 year aging [no cask required]
Vino di Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
- Sangiovese [70% minimum]
- Prugnello Gentile clone
- 2 years minimum aging [1 in wood]
Rosso di Nobile di Montepulciano DOC
-Vino Di Noble can declassify their wines [less aging, more grapes blended]
Sant’Antimo DOC
- Montalcino producers version of “Super Tuscans”
- any grapes authorized in Tuscany
- red & white
Moscadello Di Montalcino DOC grapes
-whites from moscadello
Morellino di Scansano DOCG info/grapes/aging
- 85% Sangiovese
- 2 years min aging
Carmignano DOCG grapes
- 50% Sangiovese min
- 10-20% Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc min
Super Tuscan History
- Marquis Mario Rocchetta’s Tenuta San Guido released the 1968 Sassicaia
- “Super Tuscans” born [released as vino di tavola originally]
- his nephew Antinori follows w/ Tignanello 1971 [85% Sangiovese]
Some Famous Super Tuscans
Antinori’s Solaia (Cabernet Based) Antinori’s Ornellaia(Bordeaux blend) Antinori’s Masseto (Merlot) San Felice's Vigorello [100% Sangiovese] Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte [100% Sangiovese]
Super Tuscan Labelling
-Toscana IGT or Bolgheri DOC(which permits international varieties Cab Sav, Merlot, Syrah)
