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