Tuscany Flashcards
Who is widely considered the father of Super Tuscan wines? What three iconic wines did he first vinify?
The famed oenologist Giacomo Tachis.
Sassicaia, Solaia, and Tignanello
Who is responsible for creating Ornellaia and Masseto?
Lodovico Antinori, brother of Piero
Who is credited with the creation of Brunello? In what year was the first bottle produced by the winery? What was the first vintage of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Biondi-Santi
1865; 1888 was the first released Brunello by Biondi-Santi by Ferruccio Biondi-Santi
What was bizarre about the creation of the Bolgheri DOC when it was originally established? When was it ammended?
When the DOC was established in 1983 it was originally only for rosé and white wine despite Sassicaia’s fame.
Was ammended in 1994 to include red wine and the subzone Sassicaia was created
What are the top 3 producers of Bolgheri DOC?
Sassicaia
Ornellaia
Grattamacco
What 3 varietals may be produce varietally in Bolgheri DOC? What is the max % of Sangiovese permitted?
Cab, Cab Franc, and Merlot can be produced varietally.
Max 50% Sangiovese permitted.
What DOC was added in 1996 for the production of wines from international varietals in Tuscany?
Sant’Antimo DOC; located in Siena
In what year did Brunellogate occur? What happened in this scandal?
2008; producers were found to be illegally blending in other grapes to produce Brunello di Montalcino wines.
How does the climate of Montalcino compare to the zones of Chianti production?
Warmer and drier than Chianti
What is the dominant soil type of the northern part of the Brunello di Montalcino zone? South? How are wines described generally from the north vs the south?
The north is has more galestro and the elevations are higher and for this reason the wines are said to be lighter and more aromatic than wines from the south.
There is more clay in the soils to the south and it tends to be lower in elevation and warmer so the wines are a little more full in style.
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Normale? Riserva:
Normale:
min 5 years including 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle. Not released until 1/1 of the 5th year following harvest.
Riserva:
min 6 years including 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle. Not released until 1/1 of the 6th year following harvest.
What is the practice of governo and what grape was/is most commonly used for it?
The practice of drying grapes and adding the pressed juice of these to young fermented wines for the purposes of accelerating malolactic fermentation and boosting alcohol levels. Canaiolo has commonly been the most used grape for this old practice that isn’t as common today.
What is the only Tuscan DOCG that requires Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend? What is the minimum percentage
Carmignano DOCG
Requires 10-20% Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a minimum 50% Sangiovese
Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings at Capezzana in Carmignano DOCG originally came from what famous estate?
Château Lafite
What is the young vines DOC for Carmignano DOCG?
Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC
Who makes Cincinnato and what is the grape?
Tenuta di Trinoro; Cesanese d’Affile
What are the 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG?
Colli Fiorentini Rufina Montalbano Colli Senesi Colline Pisane Colli Aretini Montespertoli
In what Chianti subzone is Selvapiana located?
Rufina
In what Chianti subzone is Pacina located?
Colli Senesi
What is the min % of Sangiovese for Chianti DOCG? Chianti Classico DOCG?
Chianti DOCG: Min 70% (min 75% in Colli Senesi)
Chianti Classico DOCG: Min 80%
As of what vintage are white grapes not longer allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG?
2006
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG Normale? Riserva? Gran Selezione?
Normale:
May not be released until October 1 of the year following harvest
Riserva:
Min 24 months from Jan 1 of the year following harvest including 3 months in bottle
Gran Selezione:
Produced from estate fruit and min 30 months from Jan 1 of the year following harvest with at least 3 months in bottle
What are the soil types of the Chianti Classico DOCG region?
Alberese (Sandstone), Galestro (soft marl), clay schist, and sand.
What is the min abv % for Chianti Classico Normale, Riserva, and Gran Selezione?
Normale: 12%
Riserva: 12.5%
Gran Selezione: 13%
Which subzone of Chianti DOCG receives the longest time in wood and bottle prior to release and what are these aging requirements?
Colli Senesi
min 8 months in wood; 4 months in bottle for a total of 2 years minimum prior to release.
What 4 communes make up the original Chianti Classico zone?
Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve
What two white grapes were traditionally a part of the Chianti Blend?
Malvazia and Trebbiano
Who is credited with the recipe making Chianti wines produced from mostly Sangiovese?
Bettino Ricasoli
In what year was Gran Selezione introduced for Chianti Classico DOCG? What was the first release of these?
2014; 2010s were the first to carry this designation but wineries are permitted to submit documentation reflecting the necessary practices were employed and may retroactively redesignate wines produced before that time.
Within what subzone of Chianti is Pomino DOC located and for what reason was this DOC created? What producer owns most of the land here?
Rufina; created primarily for the production of wines based on international varietals namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot though Vin Santo is produced here as are red wines from a min 50% Sangiovese.
Frescobaldi owns most of the land here.
Which subzone of Chianti DOCG is said to be most similar to Chianti Classico DOCG in regards to quality? What is said to be the cause of this?
Rufina is said to be the most similar due to similar soils (alberese and galestro) combined with limestone and higher elevations with SW exposure.
What are 3 top cantina sociale in Tuscany?
Cantine di Montalcino
Cantina di Scansano
Cantine Leonardo da Vinci
What is the volume of a traditional caratelli barrel?
50L
What is “madre” and what style of wine is it most associated with?
Madre is essentially a starter culture for the fermentation of Vin Santo. It consists of sediment collected from barrels of the previous vintage that is added to the must to kick start fermentation. It typically makes up 5-10% of the must by volume.
What is a vinsantaia?
A vinsantaia is an attic where grapes can be hung and dried and Vin Santo is aged where the wine is exposed to temperature changes with seasonality.
What can be said of Vin Santo that is aged in traditional chestnut barrels vs oak?
Chestnut is more porous and thus more evaporation occurs during aging giving the wine a more pronounced oxidative character. Additionally chestnut will impart more wood tannin than oak.
Which DOC for Vin Santo Occio di Pernice requires the highest min percentage of Sangiovese?
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC