Tuscany Flashcards
In 1872, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, later prime minister of Italy, recommended that which variety should dominate in Chianti, and which variety should be used to soften blends
Sangiovese, softened with Malvasia
In which year did the Dalmasso commission create an enlarged area, named Chianti, covering 7 subzones?
1932
Why did the Dalmasso commission enlarge the Chianti area in 1932?
It enabled large producers and bottling companies to sell wine from a larger area with the prestigious name
Up until the Second World War, sharecropping was common in Tuscany. Explain how sharecropping worked and what this meant for quality.
Landowners would let farmers use their land in return for half of the production. This meant that there was little incentive to improve the quality of the wines
What happened in Tuscany after the Second World War that led to a rise in quality?
There was more investment in the area, particularly in Chianti Classico DOCG
In what year was Sassacaia from Tenuta San Guido first made?
1968
In what year was Tignanello first made?
1971
Explain how Super Tuscan’s of the 80s were different to the Tuscan wines before them (5)
Included international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon
International style (deep, fruity, vanilla and sweet spice)
New oak barriques rather than the large traditional botti
They were released as Vino da Tavola
Stimulus to raise the price and quality in general
Why were Super Tuscans initially released as Vino da Tavola wines? (2)
They came from outside traditional growing areas
They did not follow the rules of the DOCs
Are indigenous or international grapes dominant in Tuscany today?
Recent decades have seen the return of indigenous varieties, especially Sangiovese
Is use of oak in Tuscan wines more or less restrained in wines today?
More restrained - producers are using more botti and tonneaux for ageing rather than barriques
How would you describe the climate in Tuscany?
Warm Mediterranean climate
Its location close to the coast allows adequate rainfall
When does most rain in Tuscany fall?
Autumn and winter
Name five common climate hazards in Tuscany
Occasional spring frost Hail Rain at harvest Drought Prolonged high temperatures (causing cessation of photosynthesis)
Give a typical tasting note for Sangiovese
Medium intensity Red cherry, red plum, herbal notes Medium to full bodied High acidity High tannin
Acceptable to outstanding
Inexpensive to premium
Main black grape in Tuscany
On what aspect slopes does Sangiovese generally ripen best?
South and south east facing
Is Sangiovese a late or early budding variety? Does this present any problems?
It’s an early budding variety, leaving it prone to spring frosts
Is Sangiovese a late or early ripening variety? Does this present any problems?
It’s a late ripening variety, meaning it can be affected by autumn rains
Does Sangiovese have thick or thin skins? Does this present any problems?
It has thin skins, meaning botrytis bunch rot can be an issue
What vineyard management techniques can be employed to manage Sangiovese vines’ vigour? (5)
Green harvest
Cluster thinning
Trim canopy to avoid shading
Pruning for lower yield
Using lower yielding, higher quality clones
Name the grape from the following characteristics:
Black grape Medium intensity Red cherry, red plum, herbal notes Medium to full bodied High acidity High tannin Thin skins Vigorous Early budding Late ripening Acceptable to outstanding Inexpensive to premium Main black grape in Tuscany
Sangiovese
Give a tasting note for Trebbiano Toscano
Medium minus intensity
Lemon with herbal notes
Neutral
Name the grape from the following characteristics:
White grape Medium minus intensity Lemon with herbal notes Neutral Ripens well in heat while retaining acidity Late budding Vigorous High yielding Decreasing in popularity Used for neutral whites and Vin Santo
Trebbiano Toscano
Give a typical tasting note for Canaiolo Nero
Black grape
Red berried fruit, floral notes
Light tannin
Often used to smooth out Sangiovese blends
Name the grape from the following characteristics:
Black grape
Red berried fruit, floral notes
Light tannin
Often used to smooth out Sangiovese blends
Canaiolo Nero
What type of soils are best suited to Sangiovese?
Friable shale and limestone soils
Also does well on clay
Describe Galestro soils and where these are found
Schistous clay and marl
Gives aromatic wines with ageing potential
Main soil in Chianti Classico
Describe Albarese soils and where these are found
Compact calcareous soils with clay
Found throughout the Chianti region
What type of soils are found in the coastal region of Maremma?
Clay and gravel soils
These are similar to soils found in Bordeaux, and as such are suited to Bordeaux grapes
What is the name given to compact calcareous soils that are found throughout the Chianti region?
Albarese
What is the name given to the schistous clay and marl soils that are found predominantly in the Chianti Classico
Galestro
How long would you typically macerate Sangiovese on skins if making an early drinking wine? Why?
7-10 days on skins
Less tannin is extracted, giving wines with medium tannins
How long would you typically macerate Sangiovese on skins if making an ageworthy wine? Why?
15 to 25 days
More tannin is extracted, giving the wine more structure for ageing
What is the name of the large appellation covering the central area of Tuscany? It surrounds the Classico appellation of the same name
Chianti DOCG
How would you describe the terrain of Chianti DOCG and at what altitude would you find most vineyards?
It is a hilly area, although most vineyards are at lower elevations (less than 300m above sea level)
What are the minimum and maximum proportions of Sangiovese permitted in Chianti DOCG?
70 - 100%
What percentage of white grapes are permitted in Chianti DOCG?
up to 10%
What grapes are considered blending partners in Chianti DOCG?
Canaiolo
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon must not exceed 15% of the blend
What is the minimum ABV for Chianti DOCG?
11.5%
When is the earliest that producers can release Chianti DOCG wines?
March following the vintage
Give a typical tasting note for an inexpensive to mid priced Chianti DOCG wine
Light to medium flavour intensity Red cherry fruit High acidity Medium body Medium alcohol Acceptable to very good
What is the minimum ageing requirement for Chiant Riserva DOCG?
2 years
Apart from wines in certain subzones, oak is not a requirement
What is the maximum yield for Chianti DOCG?
63hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Chianti DOCG if a subzone is mentioned on the label?
56 hl/ha
What is the altitude in Chianti Rufina DOCG?
350m above sea level
Give two reasons why Chianti Rufina DOCG is the coolest subzone in Chianti
Altitude (350m)
Cooling winds descend from a pass in the Apennine Mountains in the north
Compare how a Chianti Rufina DOCG might taste in comparison with Chianti DOCG
Higher acidity from higher elevations than Chianti DOCG
Fruit is more restrained when young than Chianti DOCG
More capacity to age than Chianti DOCG
Describe the price and quality of a typical Chianti Rufina DOCG wine
Mid priced
Good to outstanding
Name the largest and warmest Chianti subzone
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
Name the coolest Chianti subzone
Chianti Rufina DOCG
What are the minimum and maximum proportions of Sangiovese permitted in Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG?
75% - 100%
What proportion of Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG can be made up of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Up to 10%
What proportion of Chianti DOCG can be made up of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon?
Up to 15%
Describe the price and quality of a typical Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG wine
Inexpensive to mid priced
Acceptable to very good
Compared to Chianti DOCG, describe the wines of Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG in terms of body
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG wines are fuller and richer as they are from a warmer site
Where is Chianti Classico DOCG located?
Within the Chianti region, between Florence and Siena
At what elevations are the best Chianti Classico DOCG wines grown at?
Between 200 and 500m
How does the elevation in Chianti Classico aid ripening?
Provides high diurnal range
Helps slow ripening, meaning flavours develop fully and acidity is retained
What are the minimum and maximum proportions of Sangiovese permitted in Chianti Classico DOCG?
80% - 100%
What percentage of white grapes are permitted in Chianti Classico DOCG?
None!
What is the maximum yield for Chianti Classico DOCG?
52.5 hl/ha
When is the earliest that producers can release Chianti Classico DOCG wines?
October the year after harvest
How long must Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG be aged for?
2 years from the January following the harvest
Can Chianti Classico wines name the village and vineyard on the label?
The name of a single vineyard may be mentioned
The name of key villages cannot be mentioned on labels
How has the style of Chianti Classico wines changed since the 1980s?
Following the prominence of Super Tuscan wines, many producers in the 80s and 90s made an international style of wine: deeper colour, more plummy and with lots of vanilla new oak character.
Recent trends have seen producers move towards a more traditional approach with more restrained oak character: paler colour, sour cherry and more use of Sangiovese
What is Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
A new designation introduced in 2013
Grapes must come from a single vineyards
Wines must be estate made
Wines are aged for a minimum of 30 months before release