Tuscany Flashcards
What are the major geographical boundaries of the Tuscany wine region?
Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennine Mountains
When was Chianti first delimited?
1716
What is the historical bottle used for Chianti?
Fiasco (squat, straw-covered bottle)
What was the first vintage of Sassicaia? What estate produces this wine?
- Tenuta San Guido.
Who is the founder of Tenuta San Guido?
Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta
What was the first vintage of Tignanello? Which estate produces this wine?
- Marchesi Antinori.
How many DOCGs are there in Tuscany?
11
What is the climate type of Tuscany?
Mediterranean w/ cold winters and long, hot summers.
What are the characteristics of Sangiovese grapes?
Thin-skinned, late ripening.
What is the historically traditional “Chianti Formula”?
70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 15% Malvasia (may include a small amount of Colorino or Trebbiano).
Permitted varietals for Chianti Classico DOCG?
80%-100% Sangiovese. Max 20% other permitted red grapes (Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cab Sauv, Merlot). No white grapes permitted (since 2006 vintage).
Permitted Varietals for Chianti DOCG?
70%-100% Sangiovese. Max 30% combined other permitted Tuscan varietals. Max 10% white grapes. Max 15% combined CS and CF.
When were Chianti and its sub-zones delimited? When was it promoted to DOCG status?
- 1984.
What are the sub-zones of Chianti?
- Classico
- Rùfina
- Colli Fiorentini
- Colli Senesi
- Colline Pisane
- Colli Aretini
- Montalbano
- Montespertoli (added in 1997).
Who established the “Chianti Formula”, and when?
Barone Bettino Ricasoli, 1872.
What does ‘Governo all’uso Toscano’ indicate on a wine label in Tuscany?
Refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation
What does ‘Normale’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?
May be released after March 1st after harvest year (extended aging required in Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini)
What does ‘Riserva’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?
Two years of aging. 12% min ABV.
What does ‘Superiore’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?
May be release after Sept 1st after harvest year. 12% min ABV.
What are the two primary soil types of Chianti Classico DOCG?
Galestro (marl) and Alberese (sandstone)
What year were both Chianti and Chianti Classic upgraded to DOCG status?
1984
What are the sub-zones of Chianti Classico DOCG?
- Radda
- Gaiole
- Castellina
- Greve
What does Gran Selezione mean on a bottle of Chianti Classico DOCG? What year was this category approved?
Estate fruit. 30 months aging w/ 3 in bottle. 13% min ABV. Approved in 2014 for the 2010 vintage.
What does Riserva mean on a bottle of Chianti Classico DOCG?
24 months w/ 3 bottle. 12.5% min ABV. Typically aged in barrique.
Who isolated the Brunello clone of sangiovese? When?
Clemente Santi. 1865.
What was the first bottle of Brunello to be released?
1888 Biondi-Santi, Brunello Riserva
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
2 years in wood, plus 4 months in bottle. May not be sold before January 1st of the 5th year following harvest.
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
2 years in wood, plus 6 months in bottle. May not be sold before January 1st of the 6th year following harvest.
What does Vigna indicate on a bottle of Brunello?
Single vineyard.
What is the primary soil type of Brunello?
Galesto at higher elevations, with clay and marine sediment at lower elevations.
What are the frazioni of Brunello?
- Sant Angelo in Colle
- Castelnuovo Abate
- Torrenieri
What are the two approaches to wine making in Brunello?
Traditional (long maceration and large barrel aging). Modern (shorter maceration and barrique aging).
Who are some producers of Brunello in the traditional-style?
Biondi-Santi, Talenti, Soldera
Who are some producers of Brunello in the modern stylle?
Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni
What are the physical boundaries of Rosso di Montalcino in relation to Brunello di Montalcino?
Identical.
What are the aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino?
1 year. Wood aging is not required.
What grapes are permitted in Rosso di Montalcino?
100% sangiovese
What is the Sant’Antimo DOC? When was it established?
“super-Tuscan” style wines in Montalcino from red and white grapes. Est 1996.
What syle of wine is produced in Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?
Still and sparkling whites from Moscato Bianco. May be sweet or dry.
When was Vino Nobile di Montepulciano promoted to DOCG status?
1980 (one of the first in Italy, along with Brunello)
What is the clone of sangiovese used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile
What are the permitted varietals for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Min 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile). Max 5% non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga)
What is the primary varietal of Masseto?
Merlot
What is the varietal of Paleo Rosso? Who makes it?
100% Cabernet Franc. Le Macchiole.
What were the first three 100% Sangiovese super-Tuscans?
Vigorello, San Felice; Le Pergole Torte, Montevertine; Cepparello, Isole e Olena
When was the IGT category created?
1992
What is the most planted white variety Tuscany?
Trebbiano
What is the French synonym for Trebbiano?
Ugni Blanc
When was Vernaccia di San Gimignano made a DOC? DOCG? What is the significance of this?
- It was the first DOC in Italy?
Which varieties are commonly blended with vernaccia in Tuscany? Why?
Vermentino and Chardonnay. To add body.
Who makes “Terre di Tufi”? What is the blend and denominazione?
Teruzzi & Puthod. 80% Vernaccia, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc. IGT (85% min for Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG).
