Tuscany (Toscana) Flashcards
fiasco
Historically, due to the inferior quality of Italian glass, Chianti was sold in squat, straw-covered bottles (fiascos) that came to epitomize the rustic, cheap nature of Italian wine in the late 1960’s, 70’s, and 80’s
Year legislation first delimited the Chianti zone
1716
Tuscany
Number of hl produced annually
3 million hl
- Forefront of quality and large-scale comm winemaking in Italy
Tuscany
% of wine at DOC/DOCG level
45%
Tuscany
Climate
dry, maritime-influenced
- Can be harsh winters, long hot summers
- Wide variation in mesoclimates
- Montalcino - S province Siena, more arid
- Montepulciano - further inland, more seasonal, continental
Italy’s most planted red varietal
Sangiovese
Sangiovese clone of Montepulciano
Prugnolo Gentile
Italy’s most planted white grape
Trebbiano Toscano
Tuscany
Regions for Vernaccia
San Gimignano
Tuscany
% of vineyards devoted to red wines
70%
Year Chianti was elevated to DOCG status
1984
Chianti
7 original subzones
8th subzone
- Classico
- Rufina
- Colli Fiorentini
- Colli Senesi
- Colline Pisane
- Colli Aretini
- Montalbano
- 8th subzone, Montespertoli, 1997 decree
Chianti
Year boundaries of the modern zone were established
1932
Chianti
Major firm of Rufina subzone
Frescobaldi
- Rufina, exception of Classico, most consistent subzone in quality
- Frescobaldi, Fattoria Selvapiana - only producer of tiny Pomino DOC w/in Rufina
- Red and white w/ higher % international grapes than Chianti DOCG
- Range of varietal bottlings
governo
refermentation with juice of dried grapes
- Strengthen wine, initiate malolactic fermentation
- Traditional practice, legally permitted Chianti DOCG, most quality-minded avoid it
governo
label indicaton
‘Governo all’uso Toscano’
Chianti Normale
Aging requirements
March 1 year following harvest
- Florentine subzones Rufina, Montespertoli, Colli Fiorentini require additional aging
Chianti riserva
Aging requirement
2 years
Chianti Superiore
- Extra 1/2 degree alcohol
- Lowered yields
Chianti DOCG
min % Sangiovese
70%
- June 2009 DOCG regulations
- Colli Senesi subzone - min 75%
Chianti Classico DOCG
min alcohol %
12%
- vs 11.5% Chianti DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Aging requirement
1 year
Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Aging requirement
24 months
Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Min alcohol %
12.5%
vs
- Chianti Classico: 12%
- Gran Selezione: 13%
‘Gran Selezione’
Year category was introduced for Chianti Classico
Aging requirements
‘Gran Selezione’
- 2013
- Aged 30 mon
First to release Brunello
Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi
- First to isolate Brunello clone and bottle it alone in 1865
Year Biondi-Santi first released Brunello Riserva
1888
Brunello di Montalcino
Aging requirements
- normale: 2 yrs cask, 4 mon bottle Jan 1st 5th yr
- riserva : 2 yrs cask, 6 mon bottle Jan 1st 6th yr
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Aging requirements
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
- wines may not be released until Sept 1st of the year following harvest
- 100% Sangiovese
Montalcino
DOC for “Super-Tuscan” wines
Year Est
Sant’Antimo DOC
- Est 1996
- Any grape authorized in Tuscany may be used for Sant’Antimo DOC
- Red or White
Montalcino
DOC for white wines
Moscadello di Montalcino DOC
- Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) grape
- Often sweet, may be still or sparkling
Vintage of Antinori’s ‘Tignanello’ 1st release
1971
Montalcino
Soil in higher altitude vineyards
galestro - marl and limestone
- In many of the best vineyard sites of Tuscany
Antinori’s Cabernet-based “Super Tuscan”
Solaia
Vin Santo
Barrels used for aging
caratelli barrels
(small wooden barrels, 50 liters)
Vintage for Marquis Mario Rochetta’s Tenuta San Guido first release of ‘Sassicaia’
1968
- Sassicaia, barrique-aged Cabernet blend from Bolgheri in Northern Maremma
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC
Year established
Beginning with the 1994 vintage
Trebbiano Toscano
a.k.a.
Ugni Blanc
Trebbiano di Soave
a.k.a.
Verdicchio Bianco
Why is Brunello production in Torrenieri controversial?
- The heavy clay soils are considered unsuitable for quality production
- Originally included only because it falls with the Montalcino municipality
- Called the Crete Senesi, until the 1990’s nothing was planted there
- Similar soils in the chianti classico zone have been excluded from the DOCG boundaries
Montosoli
- A hill of 280-350M north of the town of Montalcino, which is spared the autumnal fog of lower altitudes
- Generally produces wines with the power and concentration of vineyards in the southern part of the appellation
Montalcino
Highest elevation point for vineyards
500 m
(total elevation 667M)
Montalcino
Main type of vine training
- Spurred single cordon, to increase competition between vines and encourage smaller bunches with thicker skins
- Previously (1970’s/80’s) Guyot was popular, but created too much production/vigor and diluted the wines
“Brunellogate”
Main firms involved
- Scandal involving the seizure of many bottles of Brunello by the Italian government under the allegations that other grapes were being blended into the wine
- Wines seized were the 2003 vintage, in 2008
- Antinori, Argiano, Banfi, Frescobaldi
Major producer responsible for pushing Brunello onto the world stage in the 1970’s
John and Harry (pictured) Mariani, founders of Villa Banfi (Lambrusco)
- Landed in Brunello in 1978
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Grape and aging requirements
- 100% Sangiovese
- 1 year aging
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
3 Rivers that delimit the region
3 Rivers:
- Ombrone (N)
- Asso (E)
- Orcia (S)
What was revolutionary about the creation of the Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
- 1st instance of two controlled appellations applying to the same vineyards (Brunello and Rosso), paving the way for Rosso di Valtellina, etc.
- Vineyards must be registered with the consorzio; you may declassify your brunello to rosso, but not vice versa
- DOC was established in 1983
Who is widely consider the father of Supertuscan wines? What three iconic wines did he first vinify?
The famed oenologist Giacomo Tachis.
Sassicaia, Solaia, Tignanello
Who is responsible for creating Ornellaia and Masseto?
Lodovico Antinori, brother of Piero
Who is credited with the creation of Brunello? When was it first produced?
Biondi-Santi, 1865
What was the first vintage of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
1888 by Biondi-Santi, Ferrucio Biondi-Santi
What was bizarre about the creation of the Bolgheri DOC when it was initially established?
DOC was first created in 1983 for rose and white wine, despite Sassicaia’s fame. It was ammended in 1994 to include red and the subzone Sassicaia was added.
What are the top 3 producers of Bolgheri DOC?
Sassicaia
Ornellaia
Grattamacco
What 3 varietals may be varietally produced in Bolgheri DOC? What’s the max % Sangiovese permitted?
Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot can be produced varietally. Max 50% Sangiovese permitted.
What Tuscan DOC was added in 1996 for the production of wines from International varieties
Sant’Antimo DOC, located in Siena
How does the climate of Montalcino compare to the zones of Chianti production?
Warmer and drier than Chianti
What’s the dominant soil type of Northern Brunello? Southern?
Northern: more galestro, higher elevations, wines are said to be lighter and more aromatic
Southern: more clay in the soil, lower elevations, wine are more full in style
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Normale? Riserva?
Normale: min 5 years, 2 years in wood plus 4 months in bottle. Not released until 1/1 of the 5th year following harvest.
Riserva: min 6 years, 2 years in wood plus 6 months in bottle Not released until 1/1 of the 6th year following harvest.
What is the only Tuscan DOCG that requires Cabernet Sauvignon in it’s blend? What’s the min %?
Carmignano DOCG
Requires 10-20% Cab Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon combined with a min 50% Sangiovese.
Cappezzana’s Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings orginally came from what famous estate? (Carmignano DOCG)
Chateau 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 % Sangiovese for Chianti DOCG? for Chianti Classico DOCG?
Chianti DOCG: min 70% (75% for Colli Senesi)
Chianti Classico DOCG: min 80% (Gran Selezione 90%)
As of what vintage are white grapes no-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 Oct 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, min 30 months from Jan 1 of the year following harvest with at least 3 months in bottle.
What are the soil types of 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? What are these aging requirements?
Colli Senesi
2 years min, min 8 months in wood, 4 months in bottle
What 4 communes make up the original Chianti Classico zone?
Radda
Gaiole
Castellina
Greve
What two white grapes were traditionally part of the Chianti blend?
Malvazia and Trebbiano
Which producer is credited with the Chianti recipe of mostly Sangiovese?
Bettino Ricasoli
In what year was Gran Selezione introduced for Chianti Classico DOCG? First release?
2014
2010’s were the first to carry this designation but wineries are permitted to submit documentation for retroactive designations
In what Chianti subzone is the Pomino DOC located? What was the reason for its creation? Main producer?
Rufina
Created primarily for the production of international varietals, Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir, Merlot, though Vin Santo is produced here as a red from min 50% Sangiovese.
Frescobaldi owns most land here.
What Chianti DOCG is said to be of similar quality to Chianti Classico DOCG in regards to quality?
What’s the reasoning?
Rufina
Due to similar soils (Albarese and Galestro) combined with limestone and higher elevations with SW exposure.
What are the 3 top “Cantina Sociale” in Tuscany?
Cantine di Montalcino
Cantina di Scansano
Cantine Leonardo da Vinci
What is the volume of the traditional Caratelli barrel?
50L
What is ”madre” and what style of wine is it more 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 kickstart 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 where Vin Santo is aged (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 oxidation occurs during aging, giving the wine a more pronounced oxidative character. Chestnut also imparts more tannin than oak.
Which DOC for Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice requires the highest min % of Sangiovese?
Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
min 80% Sangiovese
max 20% other red or white grapes suitable for cultivation in Toscana
What is Occhio di Pernice?
Rose style of Vin Santo requiring a min 50% Sangiovese and more for some DOCs.
What is the difference between Vin Santo, Vino Santo, and Vinsanto?
Vin Santo: dried grape wine from Malvazia, Trebbiano, and/or Sangiovese mostly from Tuscany, but also Offida and Marche. Typically aged in Caratelli barrels and is not topped off giving it an oxidative character.
Vino Santo: dried grape specialy of Trentino DOC made from Nosiola grapes. This is topped up and typically not oxidative in character.
Vinsanto: dried grape specialty of Santorini, must be made with a min 51% Assyrtiko, plus Aidani and Athiri that is aged for 2 years in wood.
Who owns the Ornellaia estate today?
Frescobaldi
What are the names of Gaja’s estates in Montalcino and Bolgheri?
- Pieve di Santa Restituta (Montalcino, also Sugarille bottling)
- Ca’ Marcanda (Bolgheri)
Name the friable marl-like soil that characterized many of the best vineyard sites in the Chianti Classico zone?
Galestro
Galestro is also a Trebbiano-based white wine produced in Tuscany designed to soak up the surplus of white grapes resulting in producers using less and less in their Chianti wines.
What is “Rigoverno”?
The practice of initiating a third fermentation in the spring of a wine’s development, but doing a second round of Governo.
What appellation uses the quality designation “Gran Selezione” and what are the requirements for this designation?
Chianti Classico DOCG
min 13% ABV
must be produced from Estate fruit
min 30 months aging from Jan 1 of the year following harvest, including at least 3 months in bottle
Who produces Pietradonice? What’s the grape?
Casanova di Neri
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
What is the local clone of Sangiovese called in Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile
In 2024, what is the current release of Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?
2018
“La Serra Nuova” is made by what producer?
Tenuta delle Ornellaia
What 3 grapes historically made up the blend of Chianti developed by Barone Ricasoli in the 1800’s?
70% Sangiovese
15% Canaiolo
15% Malvazia Bianco
Who makes Sassicaia and what is it’s second wine?
Tenuta San Guido
Guidalberto (60/40 Cabernet Merlot)
Tuscany is located in which coast of Italy?
The Tyrrhenian Coast
Who bottled the first Supertuscan and when?
Marquis Mario Rocchetta (Tenuta San Guido) released the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia in 1968.
What % of Tuscan vineyards are devoted to red wine?
70%
When was Chianti first delimited? When was it elevated to DOCG?
1932
Elevated in 1984
Which subzone was added to the original seven in 1997?
Montespertoli Chianti
What and where is Pomino DOC?
Within Rufina Chianti, authorizes both reds and whites.
Reds: min 50% Sangiovese plus Pinot Nero and Merlot, varietal bottlings are permitted (at 85%)
What is the varietal makeup of Chianti DOCG?
70-100% Sangiovese
max 30% other grapes authorized for Toscana
max 10% white grapes
max 15% Cab Sauv/Cab Franc
What is the varietal makeup of Chianti Colli Senesi (Chianti subzone)?
75-100% Sangiovese
max 25% combined other grapes authorized for Toscana
max 10% white grapes
max 10% combined Cab Sauv/Cab Franc
What is the min % Sangiovese for wines from Colli Senesi?
75%
What does Governo all’uso Toscano indicate?
A traditional practice, which is refermenting with the juice of dried grapes to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation (similar to ripasso)
When may Chianti Normale be released?
March 1st following harvest.
How long does Chianti Riserva age for?
2 years
What does Chianti Superiore indicate?
Plus 0.5% min ABV, may not be released until Sept 1st following harvest
Which Chianti subzones require longer aging?
- Montesperoli (June 1st)
- Colli Fiorentini/Rufina (Sept 1st)
What are the varietal requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG?
80-100% Sangiovese
max 20% other red grapes authorized by Siena and Firenze (including Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cab Sauv, Merlot)
- As of 2006 vintage, Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco are not permitted
What are the varietal requirements for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?
min 90% Sangiovese
max 10% other red grapes traditional to the region
What are the requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva?
2 years of aging
12.5% min ABV
What does Gran Selezione indicate? When was it introduced?
Produced from estate fruit
30 months of aging from Jan 1st following harvest with at least 3 months in bottle
Introduced in 2013
Which Chianti subzone overlaps Montalcino?
Colli Senesi
Aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG? for Riserva?
Normale: 2 years in cask, 4 months in bottle, released after Jan 1st five years after harvest
Riserva: 2 years in cask, 6 months in bottle, released after Jan 1st six years after harvest.
What is the soil makeup of Montalcino?
Galestro in the higher altitude vineyards, clay to the south, scattered marine fossil deposits
What are the fraziones (sub-communes) of Montalcino?
Montalcino: central, high elevation (300-400m) cooler
Sant Angelo in Colle: south-central, high elevation (444m) calcareous soils.
Castelnuovo Abbate: southeast, protected from hot medit. wine by mountain range, calcareous marl with shale
Torrenieri: northeast, high elevation, heavy clay
What producers is Sant’Angelo home to?
Banfi, Il Poggione, Argiano, Col d’Orcia
Why is Brunello production in Torrenieri controversial?
The heavy clay soils are considered unsuitable for quality production, it was only included because it falls within the Montalcino municipality. Called Crete Senesi, nothing was planted there until the 1990s.
What is Montosoli?
A hill of 280-350m north of the town of Montalcino which is spared the autumnal fog of lower altitudes. Generally produces wines of power and concentration.
What delimits the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG zone?
3 rivers: Ombrone, Asso, Orcia
Major vine-training in Montalcino?
Spurred single cordon to increase competition between vines and encourage smaller bunches
What and when was Brunellogate? Who were the main firms involved?
A scandal involving the seizure of many bottles of Brunello under allegations that other grapes were being blended into the wines. The 2003 vintage was seized in 2008.
Antinori, Argiano, Banfi, Frescobaldi
Varietal makeup and aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
100% Sangiovese, 1 year aging
What was revolutionary about the creation of the Rosso di Montalcino DOC?
First instance of two controlled appellations applying to the same vineyards (Brunello and Rosso) paving the way for Rosso di Valtellina.
When was Rosso di Montalcino DOC established?
1983
What is Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?
A DOC for white wines of Moscadello (Moscato Bianco); Tranquillo, Frizzante, VT
What are the varietal requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
min 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile)
30% red and white grapes authorized
max 5% non-aromatic white grapes/malvasia bianca lunga
What are the aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Normale? Riserva?
Normale: two years (1 in wood)
Riserva: three year (at least 6 months in bottle)
Where is the Morellino di Scansano DOCG? Varietal and aging?
In southern Maremma
min 85% Sangiovese
2 years in barrel for Riserva
What is the varietal makeup up Carmignano DOCG?
min 50% Sangiovese
10-20% Cab Sauv/Franc
What Chianti subzone overlaps with Carmignano DOCG?
Montalbano Chianti
What three Tuscan DOCG’s were elevated in 2011?
Suvereto DOCG
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
What’s unusual abut Suvereto and Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG’s?
High proportions of Bordeaux varietals (Cab Sauv, Merlot), varietal wines permitted in Suvereto
Suvereto DOCG: Cab and Merlot plus 15% other
Val di Cornia DOCG: min 85% for varietal Cab, Ansonica, Merlot, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo
Name 3 Sangiovese-dominant Supertuscans:
Le Pergole Torte (Montevertine)
Testamatta (Bibi Graetz)
Cepparello (Isole e Olena)
I Sodi di San Niccolo (Castellare di Castellina)
Fontalloro (Felsina)
Flaccianello (Fontodi)
Il Carbonaione (Poggio Scalette)
Percarlo (San Giusto a Retnennano)
Anfiteatro (Vecchie Terre di Montefili)
Where is Bolgheri? What is the style of wine?
0-100% Cab Sauv
0-100% Merlot
0-100% Cab Franc
max 50% Syrah
max 50% Sangiovese
max 30% other red grapes suitable
Bianco Bolgheri varietal requirements?
Any blend of Vermentino, Sauv Blanc, and/or Viognier, with max 40% other white grapes suitable
What is the single-estate sub-appellation in Maremma?
Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC in the town of Castagneto Carducci
min 80% Cab Sauv, plus
2 years aging, 18 months in wood
What are the 11 Chianti Classico UGA’s?
San Casciano
Greve
Montefioralle
Lamole
San Donato in Poggio
Panzano
Radda
Castellina
Gaiole
Vagliagli
Castelnuovo Berardenga
What style are the wines of Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG?
Passito red Aleatico
What white grape is Aleatico genetically linked to?
Moscato Bianco
What grapes are used for Tuscan Vin Santo?
Trebbiano
Malvasia, plus Grechetto (sometimes)
Rose is produced with min 50% Sangiovese
What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
What does liquoroso indicate on a bottle of Vin Santo?
That the wine has been fortified
Name the 11 DOCG’s of Tuscany
Chianti DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Vino Nobile di Montalcino DOCG
Morellino di Scansano DOCG
Carmignano DOCG
Survereto DOCG
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
What was the first DOC in Italy?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano in 1966
What are the two main clones of Sangiovese?
Sangiovese Grosso: large berried, including Prugnolo and Brunello
Sangioveto: smalled-berried, seen in Chianti
What other wine does the Tenuta all’Ornellaia estate produce?
Masseto (Merlot)
Excellent vintages in Chianti Classico?
1985
1988
1990
1997-2001
2004
Excellent vintages in Brunello di Montalcino:
1980
1982
1985
1988
1990
1995-1997
1999-2001
2004
Excellent vintages in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano:
1985
1988
1990
1993
1997
1999
2000
2001
2004
What is latifondo?
The system of land ownership in Italy, overturned by the Agrarian reforms in the 1950’s
What is mezzadria?
Share-cropping, more prevalent in the north
Who produces Tignanello? Assemblage, appellation, inaugural vintage?
Antinori
75-85% Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc
IGT Toscana
1971
Who produces Solaia? Assemblage, appellation, inaugural vintage?
Antinori
75% Cab Sauv, 20% Sangiovese, 5% Cab Franc
IGT Toscana
1978
Who produces Guada al Tasso? Assemblage, appellation, inaugural vintage?
Antinori
50-65% Cab Sauv, 30-40% Merlot plus Syrah
Bolgheri Superiore DOC
1990