Tuscany Flashcards

1
Q

What coast of Italy is Tuscany on?

A

Tyrrhenian Coast

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2
Q

What is the name for the straw covered, squat bottles in Tuscany?

A

Fiasco -

historically used because of the inferior quality of Italian glass

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3
Q

How many DOCGs in Tuscany?

A

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
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4
Q

What is the climate of Tuscany

A

dry - maritime influenced

wide variation in mesoclimates throughout

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5
Q

What type of cask was traditionally used for Sangiovese?

A

large European (often Slavonian)

but now often new barrique used

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6
Q

What is Italy’s most planted red varietal?

A

Sangiovese

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7
Q

What 7 DOCGs had Sangio as the principle red grape?

A
Chianti
Chianti Classico
Carmignano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Morellino di Scansano
Montecucco Sangiovese

Brunello di Montalcino (100%)

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8
Q

Name two native tuscan and two international grapes often found in Tuscan wine production

A

Colorino, Canaiolo Nero

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

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9
Q

What is the most planted white grape of Italy? What is it often blended with?

A

Trebbiano Toscano

Often blended with malvasia

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10
Q

Beyond Trebbiano and Malvasia what are two other white grapes from Tuscany?

A

Vernaccia

Vermentino

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11
Q

What % of wine in Tuscany is red?

A

85%

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12
Q

What grape is showing great promise in coastal Maremma?

A

Vermentino

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13
Q

When was Chianti elevated to DOCG? When was it originally established?

A

1984

limits of the modern Chianti zone were established in 1932

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14
Q

Eight (7 + 1) subzones of Chianti

A
Classico
Rùfina
Colli Aretini 
Colli Fiorentini
Colli Senesi
Colline Pisane
Montalbano

Montespertoli, was added in 1997

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15
Q

When was Mentespertoli added as a subzone of Chianti?

A

1997

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16
Q

What is noted as the most consistent quality subzone of chianti? (other than classico)

A

Rùfina

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17
Q

What firm dominates the Rùfina subzone?

A

Frescobaldi

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18
Q

Who are the only two producers in the tiny Pomino DOC within Rùfina?

A

Frescobaldi

Fattoria Selvapiana

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19
Q

Who is credited with defining the classic blend of Chianti?

A

Baron Bettino Ricasoli

1872

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20
Q

When was the Chianti formula updated and what does it consist of now?

A

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

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21
Q

How does the Chianti Formula differ in the Colli Senesi subzone?

A

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

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22
Q

What is governo? Is it often used by quality minded producers?

A

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

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23
Q

When may Chianti normale be released?

A

March 1 year after harvest

Montespertoli - June 1
Colli Fiorentini and Rufina - September 1

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24
Q

What is required for Chianti riserva and superiore?

A

riserva - 2 years of aging

superiore - an addition .5% alcohol

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25
Q

When was Chianti Classico decreed DOCG

A

1984 (same as Chianti)

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26
Q

What communes of Chianti Classico may append “in Chianti” to their name

A

Castellina
Gaiole
Greve
Radda

original 4 villages

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27
Q

What are the two common soils of Chianti Classico?

A

Galestro - soft marl

Alberese - sandstone

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28
Q

What soil does Sangiovese thrive on?

A

Galestro soft marl

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29
Q

What is the blend in Chianti classico?

A
  • 80-100% Sangiovese
  • Maximum 20% Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
  • *As of the 2006 vintage, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco are no longer allowed
30
Q
Min alcohol for :
Chianti DOCG
Chianti Classico
Chianti Classico riserva
Gran Selezione
A

Chianti DOCG - 11.5%
Chianti Classico - 12%
Chianti Classico riserva - 12.5%
Gran Selezione - 13%

31
Q

When can Chianti Classico be released? What about riserva?

A

October 1st year after harvest

Riserva - aged 24 months with 3 in bottle

32
Q

What is Gran Selezione?

A

New category introduced in 2013

  • must be aged at least 30 months with 3 in bottle
  • 13% min abv
33
Q

Who is credited with the creation of the Brunello style?

When?

A
  • Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi Sandi

- isolated Brunello clone and bottled it alone in 1865

34
Q

What are the grapes of Brunello di Montalcino?

A

100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)

35
Q

What are the aging reqs of Brunello di Montalcino?

A
  • min 2 years in cask, 4 months in (six months for riserva)
  • released January 1st of the fifth year following harvest
  • (sixth year for riserva bottlings)
36
Q

What are the soils like in Montalcino?

A

Galestro in higher altitude
Clay in warmer southern reaches

fossilized marine deposits scattered throughout

37
Q

What are frazioni?

A

Suburbs or sub-communes

38
Q

Two modern producers of Brunello focusing on small barrels and shorter macerations

A

Casanova di Neri

Mastrojanni

39
Q

Three traditional producers of Brunello

A

Biondi-Santi
Talenti
Soldera

40
Q

What is Rosso di Montalcino DOC

A

“junior” Brunello

  • 100% Sangiovese
  • aged 1 yr before release, cask aging not required
41
Q

What is common in the Sant’Antimo DOC?

A

outlet for “super tuscan” wines
est 1996
-any grape authorized for Tuscany may be used, can be red or white

42
Q

What is Moscadello di Montalcino DOC known for

A

white wines from Moscadello (Moscato Bianco)

-often sweet, can be still or sparkling

43
Q

Where is Montepulciano in relation to Montalcino?

A

To the East

44
Q

When did Vino Nobile di Montepulciano achieve DOCG status?

A

1980 - one of first in Italy

45
Q

Grapes of Vino Nobile?

A
  • 70% Sangiovese (prugnolo gentile)

- max 30% other Tuscan varieties with no more than 5% white (as of 2010)

46
Q

Aging for Vino Nobile and riserva?

A

2 years with 1 in wood

riserva is 3 years

47
Q

Main grape of Morellino di Scansano DOCG?

A

85% Sangiovese

48
Q

Make up of Carmignano DOCG?

A

50% Sangiovese min.

requires min 10% cab sauv/franc

49
Q

What is unique about Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG?

A

Max. 60% combined Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

subzone Suvereto also got DOCG in 2011

50
Q

OG Winemaker/owner of Tenuta San Guido credited with first Super Tuscan

A

Marquis Mario Rocchetta

51
Q

1st vintage of Sassicaia? Producer? Blend?

A

1968

Tenuta San Guido

85% Cab Sauv, 15% Cab Franc

52
Q

1st vintage of Tignanello? Producer? Blend?

A

1971

Antinori

75-85% Sangiovese,
Cab Sauv & Cab Franc

53
Q

1st vintage of Cepparello? Producer? Blend?

A

1980

Isole e Olena

100% Sangio

54
Q

1st vintage of Paleo Rosso? Producer? Blend?

A

1989

Le Macchiole

100% Cab Franc

55
Q

1st vintage of Le Pergole Torte? Producer? Blend?

A

1977

Montevertine

100% sangio

56
Q

1st vintage of Ornellaia? Producer? Blend?

A

1985

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot

57
Q

1st vintage of Masseto? Producer? Blend?

A

1986

Tenuta dell’Ornellaia

100% Merlot

58
Q

1st vintage of Vigorello? Producer? Blend?

A

1968

San Felice

100% Sangio when first released, now Cab. S, Merlot, Petit Verdot

59
Q

When was IGT category created? What was a primary motivator for this?

A

1992

dissatisfaction with regimented DOC laws led to many producers releasing top bottles as vino da tavola

60
Q

When did Bolgheri receive DOC for red wines?

A

1994

-varietal BDX varietals or bdx blends, can have syrah and sangio

61
Q

What is the leading grape for white Bolgheri wines?

A

Vermentino, but can also produce varietal Sauv B

62
Q

When did Bolgheri Sassicaia earn DOC?

A

2013!

**only true monopole DOC in Italy!

63
Q

What is the only true monopole DOC in Italy?

A

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

64
Q

What is the DOCG of Elba? What is the Island known for?

A

Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
(Sweet red passito wines from Aleatico)

Napolean’s exile site in 1814

65
Q

What grape has Aleatico been genetically linked to?

A

Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains

-red skinned mutation

66
Q

What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?

A

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

-in Siena Province

67
Q

Is Vin Santo DOCG?

A

NO

68
Q

Grapes for Vin Santo?

A

Trebbiano, Malvasia

sometimes Grechetto
Sangiovese in Occhio di Pernice

69
Q

What is Occhio di Pernice?

A

Eye of the partridge

Vin santo rose with min. 50% sangio

70
Q

Process of Vin Santo

A
  • grapes hung/raisinated until December 1 (varies)
  • slow fermentation and aging in caratelli (3-8 years)
  • barrels never topped—alcohol concentrated through evaporation and wine gains amber hue
  • dry or sweet, may be fortified
71
Q

What is the name and size of barrel for Vin Santo? What type of wood is traditionally used?

A
Caratelli barrels (50-225L) 
Traditionally Chestnut wood