Italy - Tuscany Flashcards
When are first exports recorded?
Back to the Etruscan period (7th century BCE) to other regions of Italy and Mediterranean countries.
What concerns have surrounded the region historically? How was this combated?
Consistent quality. In 1444, a prohibition on picking grapes before a certain date was issued to protect the quality of wine coming from Chianti.
What did Grand Duke Cosimo III de’Medici introduce? When?
In 1716 he designated four regions of wine production, a precursor of the modern systems of geographical indications.
What happened in 1872 that began to stipulate which varieties could be used?
Baron Bettino Ricasoli, later PM of Italy, recommended that Sangiovese became the dominant variety of Chianti, and that the white variety Malvasia could be used to soften the wines for early drinking.
This became standard approach with the result a proportion of white varieties were required in the DOC of 1967.
What happened in 1932?
The government’s Dalmasso commission created a much-enlarged area, now Chianti DOCG with seven sub zones.
This enabled large producers and bottling companies to sell wines from the wider region with the prestigious name Chianti.
It gave the name Chianti Classico to the original, hilly Chianti.
Much of the extended region doesn’t share the same soils or elevation as Chianti Classico.
When we’re Super Tuscans born?
With the creation of Sassicaia in 1968 and Tignanello in 1971, leading to many similar wines in the 1980s.
How were Super Tuscans made? Why were they popular? What did they achieve?
From or included Bordeaux varieties and aged in French barriques, not the traditional large casks.
They were made in a style that appealed to international markets (deep colour, fruity with vanilla and spice from oak).
Released as Vino da Tavola as they either didn’t come from traditional areas or didn’t follow the rules of DOCs.
Acted as a stimulus to raise the quality and price of Tuscan wines in general.
When we’re many DOCs created?
Starting in the 1980s, but accelerating in the 90s. Many DOCs were also promoted to DOCGs.
Chianti Classico became its own DOCG in 1996, ie no longer a sub zone of Chianti.
What have recent winemaking trends been?
Returned focus to indigenous varieties, especially Sangiovese, and to less evident new oak flavours, which includes the use of larger casks (botti) and of tonneaux.
