Tuscany Flashcards
What is the Chianti Classico 2000 Project?
A clonal research project by the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico to develop disease-resistant clones, or thicker skins, or higher anthocyanins. Responsible for isolating the Brunello clone of Montalcino and the Prugnolo Gentile clone of Montepulciano.
Which Chianti subzone is overlapped with Montalcino?
Chianti Senesi
What are 2 major natural features of Tuscany?
Tyrrhenian Coast
Appennine Mountains
What are the sub-regions of Chianti DOCG?
Rùfina
Colli Fiorentini
Colli Senesi
Colline Pisane
Colli Aretini
Montalbano
Montespertoli (added in 1997)
What are the 4 original villages of Chianti Classico?
Radda in Chianti
Castellina in Chianti
Gaiole in Chianti
Greve in Chianti
What is Pomino DOC?
Tiny DOC within Rùfina.
Appellation for red and white wines allowing for a higher percentage of international grapes than Chianti DOCG, as well as varietal bottlings.
Only 2 producers:
Frescobaldi
Fattoria Selvapiana
What are 3 area DOCs for Montalcino?
Rosso di Montalcino DOC : “junior Brunello” 100% Sangiovese
Sant’Antimo DOC: Outlet for Super-Tuscan-style wines in both red and white.
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC: Moscato grape, often sweet. Can be still or sparkling.
Who is Baron Bettino Ricasoli?
Defined the classic blend of Chianti after years of experimentation and outlined in an 1872 letter to Professor Cesare Studiati of University of Pisa.
Who is Marquis Mario Rocchetta?
Released the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia in 1968
Who is Piero Antinori?
Rocchetta’s nephew, released Tignanello in 1971
Who is Clementi Santi?
Of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi.
The first to isolate the Brunello clone and bottle it in 1865, creating the Brunello style we know today.
What is Governo?
Refermentation with the juice of dried grapes to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation.
Only permitted in Chianti DOCG
Must be indicated on the label as “Governo all’uso Toscano.”
Most quality-minded producers avoid it.
4 synonyms of Sangiovese
Brunello/ Sangiovese Grosso (Montalcino)
Sangioveto (Chianti)
Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano)
Morellino (Maremma)
Two soils of Chianti
Galestro: Marl (best for Sangiovese)
Alberese: Sandstone
What are the Super-Tuscan DOPs of Tuscany?
Bolgheri DOC
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Maremma DOC
Sant’Antimo DOC
IGP Toscana
What are the important Sangiovese-based DOCGs of Tuscany?
Carmignano DOCG
Chianti DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Who is the dominant producer in Chianti DOCG’s subzone of Rùfina?
Frescobaldi
Brunello modernists vs traditionalists
Modernists:
Altessino, Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni, Banfi
Traditionalists:
Biondi Santi, Talenti, Casse Basse di Gianfranco
How do the assemblage requirements of Chianti Colli Senesi differ from Chianti?
Chianti:
70-100% Sangio with max 15% Cabernet grapes
Chianti Colli Senesi:
75-100% Sangio with max 10% Cabernet grapes
What are the aging requirements of Chianti DOCG for normale and riserva?
Which subzones require additional aging?
Normale: March 1st the year after harvest.
Riserva: 2 years from Jan 1st after harvest.
Rùfina, Montespertoli, Colli Fiorentini require additional aging.
When were Chianti and Chianti Classico both elevated to DOCG?
1984
What is the assemblage for Chianti Classico DOCG?
80-100% Sangiovese, plus others
*As of 2006, white grapes are no longer allowed
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG?
Normale: Oct 1st year after harvest.
Riserva: 24 months from Jan 1st with min. 3 months in bottle.
*Gran Selezione: 30 months from Jan 1st w/min. 3 months in bottle.
*Must be estate fruit
*New category as of 2013
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Normale: Jan 1st, 5th year after harvest
aged in cask min. 2 years
aged in bottle min. 4 months
Riserva: Jan 1st, 6th year after harvest
aged in cask min. 2 years
aged in bottle min. 6 months
What is the assemblage for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Min. 70% Sangio (Prugnolo Gentile)
-no more than 5% white varieties
What are the aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Normale: 2 years with at least 1 year in wood
Riserva: 3 years with at least 1 year in wood
What is the leading white grape in Bolgheri?
Vermentino
Name a DOCG in Toscana dedicated solely to sweet wines
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Sweet red passito wines from Aleatico
*genetically linked to Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
What is the only DOCG in Toscana dedicated solely to white wine?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
What are the common grapes for Vin Santo in Tuscany?
Trebbiano Toscano
Malvasia
Grechetto
*Sangiovese
*Min 50% required for “Occhio di Pernice,” a rosé style
What is the most commonly exported Vin Santo DOC in Tuscany?
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
What is the most common aging vessel for Vin Santo?
Chestnut barrels for rapid oxidaiton
What is the traditional (sort of) sweet dessert to pair with Vin Santo?
Biscottis
