Tuscany COPY Flashcards
When were the first geographical production zones delimited? How? When? By who?
In 1716 by Grand Duke Cosimo III de’ Medici. There were 4 zones: Carmignano, Pomino, Chianti, Valdarno.
What disasters affected Italian wines at the end of the 1800s?
Oidium, Peronospera, and Phylloxera
What is mezzadria?
The cultivation of land for a proprietor by one who receives a proportion of the produce.
When did the mezzadria get abolished?
1963
What can Sangiovese often be like in Maremma? Why?
Jammy and flabby, because it is warmer.
What is Invaiatura?
Change of color of the grapes.
What is the ideal soil for Sangiovese?
Limestone based, with a balance content of clay and schist, and perhaps a bit of sand, not too low a pH, so not too acidic.
What is the soil of Bolgheri?
Layers of sand, clay and gravel.
What is the Tramontana?
The cold wind that blows across from the north in the direction of Emilia-Romagna.
How much Sangiovese is in Tuscany?
40,000 hectares
How was Sagarantino used until the late 1970s?
In uvaggi di vigneto (vineyard grape mixes).
What does “Mammolo” mean?
Violet
What is Vitiarium?
A vineyard experimental site at the large San Felice estate at Castelnuovo Berardenga in Chianti Classico.
What is an appropriate altitude range for Sangiovese in Tuscany?
650-1650 ft
How many approved Sangiovese clones are there?
70.
What are measurements of the Fregoni principle?
Ideal weights of 1 gram for the berry, 100 grams for the bunch, 1,000 grams for the vine.
What are macchine scavallanti?
Large, but now slim tractors that farm vineyards.
What is the general consensus for Tuscan vineyard planting density?
5,000-7,000
Chianti is between which two cities?
Florence and Siena
What of soils are in Greve?
Clay
Which wine subzone in Chianti Classico makes the “finest” wines?
Panzano in Greve
Which Chianti Classico zone is known for power and intensity?
Castelnuovo Berardenga
What is the soil of Rufina like?
Clay and limestone marl
Where is Bolgheri located?
On the Maremma coast
What is the DOC for “young” Carmignano?
Barco Reale
What assigned Carmignano to the nearby zone of Chianti Montalbano? When?
Dalmasso Commission in 1932.
What is the general altitude range of Carmignano?
160-650 feet
Does harvest happen earlier in central Tuscany or Maremma?
Maremma
What does Livorno mean?
leghorn
What is a common fault in Vin Santo?
volatility
What is madre?
A starter culture of yeast used in Vin Santo
What does Occhio di Pernice translate to?
“Eye of the partridge”
In which direction are most Vino Nobile di Montepulciano vines facing?
east to southeast
Where is Montepulciano in relation to Florence?
75 miles southeast
What was the first ever DOC?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
What kind of soil is in Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
sandstone
Is harvest early in the north or south of Montalcino? By how much?
South…by a week
Where in Montalcino are the higher elevation vineyards?
the North
How many vintages were declared in the first 57 years of production of Biondi-Santi?
4
What wine factor helps wine in Montalcino?
A cool maritime breeze from the southwest
How does Montalcino’s climate compare to Florence?
It is warmer and drier than Florence
About how many acres are in use in Elba?
250 acres
In which direction is Montepulciano from Montalcino?
east
Most of Montalcino’s best vineyards are where?
in the south
Near what river are most of the Tuscan plains?
Arno
What are the highest mountains in Tuscany?
Apennines
Who are some key producers of Barberino Val d’Elsa?
Isole e Olena
Fattoria di Monsanto
Who are some key producers in Castelnuovo Berardenga?
Fattoria di Felsina
Castell’In Villa
Who are some key producers in Gaiole in Chianti?
Castello di Ama
Badia A Coltibuono
Who are some key producers in Radda in Chianti?
Castello di Volpaia
La Brancaia
Who are some key producers in Greve in Chianti?
Castello di Querceto
Podere Poggio
Who are top producers of Vin Santo?
Villa Sant’Anna
Avignonesi
Rocca di Montegrossi
Who are some notable producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Avignonesi
Fattoria del Cerro
Boscarelli
Poliziano
Who are some notable producers of Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
Montenidoli
Falchini
Who are some key producers of Chianti Classico?
Montevertine Castello di Ami Fattoria di Felsina Rocca di Montegrossi Barone Ricasoli
Who are key modernist producers in Brunello di Montalcino?
Antinori
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona
Poggio Antico
Castello Banfi
Who are key traditionalist producers in Brunello di Montalcino?
Biondi-Santi
Val di Suga
Talenti
Il Poggione
What label does fortified Vin Santo have?
Liquoroso
Why is chestnut wood often used for Vin Santo?
rapid oxidation
Where was Napoleon’s exile of 1814?
Elba
When was the IGT category created?
1992
How did southern Maremma become hospitable to wine?
Mussolini drained it in the 1930s
What Brunello leaders are more traditional, keeping maceration periods longer?
Biondi-Santi, Talenti, Soldera
What are Montalcino’s fraziones?
Sant Angelo in Colle, Castelnuovo Abate, Torrenieri
What is a frazione?
Sub-commune
How long is Brunello di Montalcino aged?
2 years in cask, 4 months in bottle
Riserva - 6 months in bottle instead of 4
Which is the Brunello clone?
Sangiovese Grosso
Who historically is considered the inventor of Brunello’s style?
Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppos Biondi-Santi
What are the four original villages of Chianti?
Radda, Gaiole, Castellina, Greve
What are the two most common soils of Chianti?
Galestro and alberese
Who delimited the original Chianti zone? When?
Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici, 1716
Generally, what is the minimum amount of Sangiovese in Chianti?
70%
After Chianti Classico, which Chianti subzone is considered the most reliable?
Rufina
What percentage of Tuscan vineyards are devoted to red wine production?
70%
Why has Canaiolo historically been added to Sangiovese?
To soften its hard attack
How much of Tuscan wine is made at the DOC/DOCG level?
45%
Who bottled Sassicaia?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta
When was the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia?
1968
Legislation delimiting the Chianti zone dates back to when?
1716
What are aging requirements of Vin Santo di Montepulciano?
Minimum 3 years in caratelli of no more than 300 liters capacity.
Riserva - 5 yeras in caratelli of no more than 125 liters capacity
Occhio di Pernice - 8 years in caratelli of no more than 75 liters capacity
What are GR of Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
What are GR of Vin Santo di Montepulciano?
Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, Malvasia Bianca (min 70%)
What are aging requirements of Vin Santo del Chianti (same as Vin Santo del Chianti Classico)?
Minimum of 3 years in caratelli of no more than 500 liters capacity
Riserva - minimum 4 years
What are the GR of Vin Santo del Chianti Occhio di Pernice?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
What are the GR of Vin Santo del Chianti?
Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia (min 70%)
Which Val di Cornia subzone was raised to DOCG level?
Suvereto
What are GR of Val di Cornia Rosato?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (max 50%)
What are GR of Val di Cornia Bianco?
Trebbiano Toscano (min 50%) Vermentino (max 50%)
What DOCG does Sant’Antimo correspond to?
Brunello di Montalcino
What are the GR of Occhio di Pernice Sant’Antimo?
Sangiovese (50-70%) Malvasia Nera (30-50%)
What are the GR of Sant’Antimo Vin Santo?
Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca (min 70%)
What are the GR of San Gimignano Occhio di Pernice?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
What are GR of San Gimignano Vin Santo?
Malvasia del Chianti (max 50%) Trebbiano Toscano (min 30%) Vernaccia di San Gimignano (max 20%)
What are GR of San Gimignano Rosso and Rosato?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
What are the GR of Rosso di Montepulciano?
Sangiovese (min 70%) white grapes (max 10%)
What are the GR of Rosso di Montalcino?
Sangiovese (100%)
Who are they only producers in DOC Pomino?
Frescobaldi
Fattoria Selvapiana
What are the GR of Pomino Bianco and Vin Santo?
Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (min 70%)
What are aging requirements of Montescudaio Vin Santo?
Minimum 4 years, including at least 18 months in caratelli of no more than 500 liters capacity, and one year in bottle.
What are the Gr of Montescudaio Rosso?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
What are the GR of Montescudaio Bianco and Vin Santo?
Trebbiano Toscano (min 50%)
What are the GR of Montecucco Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice?
Sangiovese (min 70%)
What are the GR of Montecucco Vin Santo?
Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianco, Grechetto (min 70%)
What are the GR of Montecucco Rosso?
Sangiovese (min 60%)
What are the GR of Montecucco Rosato?
Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo (min 60%)
What are the GR of Montecucco Bianco?
Trebbiano Toscano, Vermentino (min 40%)
What 2 regions is Colli di Luni in?
Toscana and Liguria
What are aging requirements of Bolgheri Sassicaia?
Minimum 2 years, including 18 months i barriques.
Superiore - 2 years, including 1 year in wood
What are the GR of Bolgheri Sassicaia?
Cabernet Sauvignon (min 80%)
What winery has its own Bolgheri subzone?
Sassicaia
What are the GR of Bolgheri Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice?
Sangiovese (50-70%) Malvasia Nera (30-50%)
What are the GR for Bolgheri Rosso and Rosato?
Cabernet Sauvignon (10-80%)
Merlot (max 70%)
Sauvignon (max 70%)
What are the GR for Bolgheri Bianco?
Trebbiano Toscano (10-70%)
Vermentino (10-70%)
Sauvignon (10-70%)
What are the GR for Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice di Carmignano?
Sangiovese (min 50%)
How many DOCs are in Tuscany?
39
When does Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG established?
1980
What are the principal soils of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Volcanic, Sandstone
What are aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva?
3 years. At least 6 months in bottle.
What are aging requirements of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
24 months in wood.
OR
18 months in wood, plus 6 in alternative container
OR
12 months in wood, 6 in bottle
What is the minimum alcohol of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
12.5%
What are the GR of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Sangiovese (min 70%)
When was Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG established?
1993
What is the principal soil of Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
sandy loam
What is the maximum RS of Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
4 grams / liter
What is the minimum alcohol of Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
11.5%
What are the GR Vernaccia di San Gimignano?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano (min 85%)
What are the GR of Rosso della Val di Cornia?
Sangiovese (min 40%)
Cabernet, Merlot (max 60%)
When was Morellino di Scansano DOCG established?
2006
What are the GR of Morellino di Scansano?
Sangiovese (min 85%)
What are the GR of Elba Aleatico Passito?
100% Aleatico (minimum 10 days of air drying and 30% sugar content)
When was Chianti DOCG established?
1984
What are the maximum yields of Chianti?
Chianti - 9 tons / hectare
Chianti subzones - 8 tons / hectare
Chianti Superiore - 7.5 tons / hectare
What is the minimum planting density of Chianti?
4,000 vines per hectare
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Riserva?
Minimum 2 years aging from January 1
- 6 months in wood for Colli Fiorentini and Rufina Riserva
- 8 months total, 4 in wood for Senesi Riserva
What are Gr of Chianti?
Chianti:
Sangiovese (70-100%)
Max 10% white graoes
Max 15% Cab and Cab Franc
Chianti Senesi:
Sangiovese (75-100%)
Max 10% Trebbiano Toscano & Malvasia del Chianti (only until 2015)
Max 10% Cab and Cab Franc
What are the subzones (and their provinces of Chianti)?
Rufina - Firenze Colli Fiorentini - Firenze Montespertoli - Firenze Montalbano - Prato, Pistoia, Firenze Senesi - Siena Colli Aretini - Arezzo Colline Pisane - Pisa
What is governo?
A winemaking technique likely invented in 14th century Tuscany, where a batch of harvested grapes are saved and partially dried, and added to must in cases of stuck or slowed fermentation.
When was Chianti Classico DOCG established?
1984
What are the principal soils of Chianti Classico?
Galestro (soft, marl like soil), alberese (sandstone), clay, schist, sand
What is the maximum yield of Chianti Classico?
7.5 tons / hectare
What are aging requirements of Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
Minimum 30 months aging from Jan 1 after harvest. 3 months in bottle.
What are aging requirements of Chianti Classico Riserva?
Minimum 24 months aging from Jan 1 after harvest, including 3 months in bottle.
What are the aging requirements of Chianti Classico?
May not be released until Oct 1 after harvest
What is the max RS of Chianti Classico?
4 grams / liter
What is the minimum alcohol of Chianti Classico? Riserva?
12%
12.5%
What are the GR of Chianti Classico?
Sangioevse (min 80%)
others, including Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Merlot, Cabernet (max 20%)
Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco are no longer allowed.
What are the Firenze communes in which Chianti Classico is made?
Greve in Chianti, Barberino Val di Pesa, San Casciano Val di Pesa, Tavernelle Val di Pesa
What are the Siena communes in which Chianti Classico is made?
Radda in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castellina in Chianta, Castelnuovo Barardenga, Poggibonsi
In what provinces is Chianti Classico?
Firenze, Siena
What are the aging requirements of Carmignano Riserva?
Minimum 12 months in oak or chestnut. ay not be sold before September 29 of third year following harvest
What are the aging requirements of Carmignano?
Minimum 8 months in oak or chestnut. not sold before June 1 of second year following harvest.
What is the minimum alcohol of Carmignano?
12.5%
What are the GR of Carmignano?
Sangiovese (min 50%) Cab Franc, Cabernet (10-20%) Canaiolo Nero (max 20%) Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo Bianco (max 10%) other (max 10%)
When was Brunello di Montalcino established?
1980
What is the principal soil of Brunello di Montalcino?
Clay and marine sedimentation in the lower altitudes, galestro in the higher altitudes.
What is the maximum yield of Brunello di Montalcino?
8 tons / hectare
What is the minimum planting density of Brunello di Montalcino?
3,000 vines per hectare
What are the aging requirements for Brunello Riserva?
2 years in wood, 6 months in bottle, may not be sold before Jan 1 of 6th year following the harvest
What are the aging requirements of Brunello di Montalcino (not Riserva)?
Minimum 2 years in wood, plus 4 months in bottle. May not be sold before Jan 1 of 5th year following harvest
What is the minimum alcohol of Brunello di Montalcino?
12.5%
What are the GR of Brunello di Montalcino?
Sangiovese (Brunello) (100%)
What are the unofficial subzones (Montalcino fraziones) of Brunello di Montalcino?
Castelnuovo dell’Abate, San Angelo in Colle, Torreniere
What is the commune of production of Brunello di Montalcino?
Montalcino
How many DOCG are in Tuscany? What are they?
11
Brunello di Montalcino Carmignano Chianti Chianti Classico Elba Aleatico Passito Montecucco Sangiovese Morellino di Scansano Rossa della Val di Cornia Suvereto Vernacccia di San Gimignano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Since 2000, what are considered the best vintages in Tuscany?
2004, 2006
Where do Sangiovese canes have high fertility? How is this a benefit?
On the basal buds (those nearest the stem).
It allows for multiple possibilities of choice regarding length of pruning and forms of training.
What does seeding between rows accomplish?
Enhancing the Nitrogen of the soil
What did the CC2000 project conclude was the best crop for seeding between vines?
red fescue.
When does Sangiovese ripen?
Between the middle of September and the middle of October
Why is it said that Sangiovese adaptable to machine harvesting?
The berries become detached easily
Until the 18th century, what was the principal grape of Chianti?
Canaiolo Nero
When was it put into law that up to 30% of Chianti could come from white grapes?
1966
What was Giulio Gambelli known for?
Being a “maestro assaggiatore” (“master taster”), consultant to many in Tuscany.
Who is considered the father of Tuscan modernists?
Giacomo Tachis
What is a usual maceration period in Tuscany?
10-20 days.
How is malolactice fermentation often induced for red wines?
By raising the ambient temperature after malolactic fermentation and/or by inoculation
How large is a botte, usually?
10 to 100 hectoliters
What does governo add?
Alcohol and glycerol
In 2004-2006, how much of world production was Italian?
17%
How many producers of grapes are there in Italy?
700,000
How much of the Italian crop is:
Red?
White?
Rosé?
60
35
5
What did Cosimo III de Medici declare in 1716?
The exclusive use of the name “Chianti”
What did 33 vineyard owners in Tuscany do in 1924?
Form the original consorzio for the defense of Chianti, and create the brand of the black cockerel, or gallo nero.
What happened to Chianti in 1932?
It was extended to other parts of Tuscany.
When did the optional addition of international grapes increase to 15 in Chianti Classico?
1996
When was optional use of international grapes increased in Chianti Classico to 20 percent?
2000
What is unique about the Chianti Classico consorzio, as of 2003?
They monitor all estates in the region regardless of their involvement in the consorzio.
When were white grapes finally excluded from the Chianti Classico blend?
2006
What is the Elsa?
A tributary of the River Arno
What is the dominating soil of Castelnuovo Berardenga in Chianti Classico? How about the Sienese side?
Calcareous soil or schistous rock
It is more clay-like
Which subzone in Gaiole achieves more longevity?
Monti
Wines from Greve are known for what?
Heterogeny
Which Chianti communes date back to the middle ages?
Gaiole, Castellina, Radda
Wines from Radda are known for what?
Elegance
What two large companies have their HQ in Florence?
Antinori and Frescobaldi
Which Tuscan city is known for being walled?
Lucca
What were red wines of Montalcino called, prior to the mid 19th Century?
Vermiglio
What is Brunellopoli?
A scandal that broke in 2008, where accusations came that some 2003 vintaged Brunellos were blended.
What does Prugnolo Gentile translate to?
“gentle wild plum”
What is the city of San Gimignano known for?
Two towers
