Wine Styles - Unique Italians Flashcards
Chianti Climactic Factors
Foothills of Apennines
Hot climate moderated by elevation
Classico - higher elevation
Chianti Winemaking
Oak maturation
Classico min 80% Sangiovese / DOCG min 70%
Ageing: Annata 12 months / Riserva 24 months / Gran Selezione 30 months
Chianti Tasting Note
Medium Ruby
Intensity - Medium / Developing
Aromas - violet, strawberry, red cherry, red currant, red plum, tomato leaf, claypot, leather, graphite, potpourri
Dry / Acidity - High / Tannin - High / ABV - Med / Body - Med / Intensity Med + / Finish - Med +
Barolo Climactic Factors
- Horseshoe Shaped valley
- Vines are grown at 300 to 500 metres
- Mountains to the north provide a rain shadow & protect from winds
- Moderate Continental climate
- Long cold winters
- Summers subject to thunderstorms, hail & fog
Barolo Grape Variety & Winemaking
- Nebbiolo grape - high acidity, tannin BUT little colour
- Grapes ripen slowly at these elevations
- Must be aged for 3 years before release of which 18 months is in oak
- Traditionally aged in large oak barrels to soften tannins
- Today with gentler extraction processes the tannins may be softer
- All Barolos benefit from aging in the bottle
Barolo Tasting Note
Medium to deep garnet
Intensity: Medium
Aromas: Sour cherry, rose, strawberry, dried cranberry, potpourri, cedar, leather, fig, prune, tar, claypot, leather, tobacco, anise.
Dry / Acidity - High / Tannin - High / ABV - High / Body - Ful / Intensity - Med+
Finish: long
Barolo vs. Barbaresco
- Barolo is the KING of wines and Barbaresco is the QUEEN
- Barbaresco lower altitudes and closer to River Po moderating influence so ripens earlier
- Therefore, fruitier and less perfumed than Barolo
- Barbaresco only needs to age for 2 years with nine months in oak
