Tuscany Flashcards
What coast of Italy is Tuscany on?
Tyrrhenian Coast
What is the name for the straw covered, squat bottles in Tuscany?
Fiasco -
historically used because of the inferior quality of Italian glass
How many DOCGs in Tuscany?
11
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Carmignano DOCG Chianti DOCG Rosso Chianti Classico DOCG Elba Aleatico Passito (Aleatico Passito dell'Elba) DOCG Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG Morellino di Scansano DOCG Rosso della Val di Cornia (Val di Cornia Rosso) DOCG Suvereto DOCG Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
What is the climate of Tuscany
dry - maritime influenced
wide variation in mesoclimates throughout
What type of cask was traditionally used for Sangiovese?
large European (often Slavonian)
but now often new barrique used
What is Italy’s most planted red varietal?
Sangiovese
What 7 DOCGs had Sangio as the principle red grape?
Chianti Chianti Classico Carmignano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Morellino di Scansano Montecucco Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino (100%)
Name two native tuscan and two international grapes often found in Tuscan wine production
Colorino, Canaiolo Nero
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
What is the most planted white grape of Italy? What is it often blended with?
Trebbiano Toscano
Often blended with malvasia
Beyond Trebbiano and Malvasia what are two other white grapes from Tuscany?
Vernaccia
Vermentino
What % of wine in Tuscany is red?
85%
What grape is showing great promise in coastal Maremma?
Vermentino
When was Chianti elevated to DOCG? When was it originally established?
1984
limits of the modern Chianti zone were established in 1932
Eight (7 + 1) subzones of Chianti
Classico Rùfina Colli Aretini Colli Fiorentini Colli Senesi Colline Pisane Montalbano
Montespertoli, was added in 1997
When was Mentespertoli added as a subzone of Chianti?
1997
What is noted as the most consistent quality subzone of chianti? (other than classico)
Rùfina
What firm dominates the Rùfina subzone?
Frescobaldi
Who are the only two producers in the tiny Pomino DOC within Rùfina?
Frescobaldi
Fattoria Selvapiana
Who is credited with defining the classic blend of Chianti?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli
1872
When was the Chianti formula updated and what does it consist of now?
Updated in 1996:
Chianti:
70-100% Sangiovese
Maximum 30% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana
Maximum 10% white grapes
Maximum 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
How does the Chianti Formula differ in the Colli Senesi subzone?
Chianti Colli Senesi:
75% min Sangiovese instead of 70
Maximum 25% combined other red grapes authorized for Toscana instead of 30
Maximum 10% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc instead of 15
What is governo? Is it often used by quality minded producers?
refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation
must be indicated on labels as Governo all’uso Toscano
not used often with quality minded producers
When may Chianti normale be released?
March 1 year after harvest
Montespertoli - June 1
Colli Fiorentini and Rufina - September 1
What is required for Chianti riserva and superiore?
riserva - 2 years of aging
superiore - an addition .5% alcohol
When was Chianti Classico decreed DOCG
1984 (same as Chianti)
What communes of Chianti Classico may append “in Chianti” to their name
Castellina
Gaiole
Greve
Radda
original 4 villages
What are the two common soils of Chianti Classico?
Galestro - soft marl
Alberese - sandstone
What soil does Sangiovese thrive on?
Galestro soft marl