Tuscany Producers Flashcards
Biondi Santi: Hallmarks of viticulture and vinification
Very low yields - 3-5tons/ha v. 8tons/ha as the legal minimum. No chemical herbicides or pesticides to protect the natural yeast population.
Spontaneous fermentation, resin-lined cement for Brunello and Rosso, Slavonian oak for Riserva. Aging in 30-50hl botti.
Biondi Santi: Vineyards
Greppo: highest altitude, friable marl and schist
Pieri: neighbor to Greppo, both south of the town
Pievecchia and Scarnacuoia: north of town, clay and rocky soil
152ha total.
Biondi Santi: Riserva v. Normale v. Rosso
Riservas are produced in excellent vintages and usually in quantities less than 15,000 bottles, vines 25-70 years old. Brunello Annata (Normale) are 10-25yo vines, aged 3 years in botti. Rosso di Montalcino are less than 10 years old, aged for 2 years in botti.
What is Fascia Rosso?
Red Stripe
Special edition Rosso made by Biondi Santi in poor vintages from declassified Brunello fruit.
What estate is an offshoot of Biondi Santi?
Le Chiusa
The vineyards were passed down from Tancredi Biondi Santi to Franco’s younger sister Fiorella. The vineyards were included in the grapes from the Greppo estate until 1990. Starting in 1991, Fiorella’s daughter Simonetta took over the estate.
Who pioneered the idea of single vineyards in Montalcino?
Giulio Consonno of Altesino
First vintage of Montosoli was 1975 (4.5ha plot)
Who owns Altesino?
Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini of Caparzo Brunello (the two estates had been jointly owned by the Tricerchi family until Consonno bought Altesino in 1970; sold to Angelini in 2002).
Altesino: vineyards
Montosoli - 350-450M in elevation, north of Montalcino proper
Additional vineyards in Castelnuovo dell’Abate and Sant’Angelo in Colle.
Altesino: Wines
Brunello di Monalcino BdM Riserva BdM Montosoli Cru. First vintage 1975 Rosso di Montalcino Palazzo Altesi: 100% Sangiovese, 12-14mos in Allier barrique Alte d'Altesi: Sangio/Cab Sauv/Merlot, 12-14mos in Allier barriqu Grappa di Brunello/Riserva Brandy di Brunello Vin Santo d'Altesi
What is the name of Soldera’s estate, and where is it?
Case Basse, in Tavernelle (central, south of Montalcino)
Soldera: vineyards & viticulture
Intistieti and Case Basse, 320M elevation, southwestern exposure
No herbicides or pesticides
2ha botanical garden to encourage biodiversity (not organic or bio)
Soldera: winemaking
Spontaneous fermentation
No temperature control
Frequent pumpovers
5-6 years in botti
Soldera: wines
Riserva: may be Intistieti, Case Basse, or a blend of both. In rare years, there is a normale. First harvest 1975; first commercial vintage 1977. First riserva 1990?
Intistieti VdT: declassified brunello that was not up to standard, produced in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992.
Case Basse VdT: 1985 only
Pegasos: 2005 only - one cask of brunello that “matured early”
When did Soldera leave the consorzio?
2013; 2007 vintage (also released a 2006 IGT, along with a 2006 Brunello?)
What is the name of Angelo Gaia’s Brunello estate, and where is it?
Pieve Santa Restituta
Tavernelle, next to Soldera
