Central Italy - Tuscany

Question 1

Climate of Bolgheri DOC

Answer 1

• Climate is warm Mediterranean with cool nights due to proximity to sea leading to fully ripe grapes.
• Sea winds reduce risk of fungus.
• Initial plantings at 400m, cooling breezes also found lower, so planted lower.
• Soils are varied.
• Rain is sufficient, but Tuscany allows irrigation and as new region (1983) with new vineyards, it’s widely installed.

Question 2

Viniculture of Bolgheri

Answer 2

• Initially vineyards planted at 400m, but then also lower, as cooling breezes also found lower.
• Soils are varied.
• Dense planting 6000 vines ha for vine competition/lower yields = concentration
• Cordon-trained, spur pruned with VSP for easy maintenance and high quality fruit.
• Rain is sufficient, but Tuscany allows irrigation and as new region, new vineyards, widely installed.

Question 3

Bolgheri DOC wine laws (grapes)

Answer 3

• Bolgheri DOC regulations allow
  
  • up to 100% grapes: Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
  • up to 50% Syrah and Sangiovese
  • up to 30% other eg Petit Verdot
• Blends, though also single varietal. In practice Cab -Sav dominates
• Some white (us. Vermentino) and rosé made

Question 4

When was Bolgheri DOC establised?

Answer 4

1983

Question 5

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Answer 5

• separate DOC awarded in 1994 for single estate Tenuta San Guido that produces Sassicaia (founded 1968)
• Min 80% Cab-Sav (Seems to be always 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet-Franc)
• Min 2 years ageing, 18 mths of which in 225l oak barrels.

Question 6

What is the aim of Chianti maturation?

Answer 6

The aim of Chianti maturation is to allow the sour cherry flavours of Sangiovese to be the main flavour in the wine. Therefore, older, 500 litre barriques are often used.

Question 7

Which soil types has Sangiovese proven to be more successful on?

Answer 7

• friable shale and limestone (providing excellent drainage)
• in Chianti Classico (70-100% Sangiovese) and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (100% Sangiovese)
  
  • galestro soil (schistous, crumbly rock with clay and marl) gives most aromatic , ageworthy
  • alberese (calcareous with clay): clay gives more structure and body
  • sandstone, sandy (good drainage)

Question 8

best growing conditions for Sangiovese

Answer 8

• buds early (spring frosts), ripens late (early autumn rain)
• likes sunny south, south-east facing slopes with best chance to ripen. Shale, limestone best, but OK on clay
• 200-550m (in Tuscany) to acheive full ripeness (though risks autumn rain), but climate change meaning growers looking for higher sites/ less sunny aspects - summer drought/ prolonged heat can cease photosynthesis, so skins and seeds don’t ripen fully
• vigorous, needs regular canopy work to avoid shading
• like Nebbiolo, can high yield, so volume or reduce yield, raise quality by pruning, cluster thinning, green harvest

Question 9

top 6 grapes in Tuscany

Answer 9

• Sangiovese 60%+ (10% all grapes grown across Italy )
• Trebbiano Toscano 5%
• Merlot 5%
• Cab Sav 4%
• Canaiolo Nero 2%