CENTRAL ITALY Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the white grapes of Central Italy? (4)
Trebbiano, Grechetto, Malvasia, Verdicchio
What are the black grapes of Central Italy? (2)
Sangiovese, Montepulciano
What international varieties are popular in Central Italy? (3)
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
What are the main growing regions in Central Italy? (5)
Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Marche, Abruzzo
What is the climate like in Chianti DOCG?
Warm to hot, continental
What are climatic influences in Chianti DOCG?
Moderating effects from high elevation, the Mediterranean, the Apennines mountains
What is the mountain range that runs through central Italy?
The Apennines
Discuss Chianti DOCG (terroir, climate, etc)
Chianti DOCG is a large appellation. Terroir ranges from flatlands to plots with good aspects and high elevations. The climate is warm to hot but has moderating effects from the elevation and the Mediterranean sea.
What types of wines are produced in Chianti DOCG?
mass-produced, bulk wines to high quality
What types of wines are made in Chianti DOCG?
Sangiovese dominated wines, other varietals allowed in blends
Explain the characteristics of Sangiovese, both growing it and in wine.
Red fruit (cherries and plums) and dried herbs. High acidity and high tannin. Sangiovese is late to ripen and requires a warm climate.
Explain Chianti Classico DOCG (terroir, quality, etc).
Chianti Classico DOCG is its own appellation. This is the historical production zone for Chianti wines and the vineyards in this region have better aspects, and elevation and produce higher-quality wines.
How does the elevation in Chianti Classico DOCG affect the grapes and the wine?
The altitude cools the grapes at night, prolonging the ripening period with a higher diurnal shift. This creates more complex, concentrated flavours in the wine with higher tannin and alcohol.
What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG?
requires 12 months by law
What does Riserva mean as a labelling term in Italy?
Riserva means the wines must follow stricter aging guidelines, and have higher alcohol levels.
What are the aging requirements for a Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
2 year minimum, 3 months in bottle
What does Gran Selezione mean? Where is this rewarded? What is it similar to?
Gran Selezione is the highest designation given to wines in Chianti Classico. This designation is given to wines sourced from a single estate or chateau, similar to Vinos de Pagos in Spain.
What are the aging requirements for a Gran Selezione wine?
2.5 years (6 months longer than Riserva)
Discuss Brunello di Montalcino (climate, terroir, grapes)
Brunello di Montalcino must be made from 100% Sangiovese. The climate is hotter than in N. Tuscany but is moderated by sea breeze and altitudes
What is the flavour difference of a Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti?
Brunello di Montalcino creates fuller bodied, more intense wine than Chianti due to the warmer cliimate
What are the aging requirements of a Brunello di Montalcino?
5 years total, 2 of the years require oak aging.
What is a wine from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG made of?
Sangiovese but can be a blend with other grapes
What are the aging requirements for a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
2 years
What is a Rosso di Montalcino/Montepulciano DOC?
Made from poorer vintages than the DOCG wines. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino can declassify to DOC and create a Rosso di Montalcino/Montepulciano.
