ITALY / CENTRAL & SOUTH - Tuscany

Question 1

What was Chianti historically bottled in?

Answer 1

fiasco

Squat, straw-covered bottles.

Question 2

What type of climate does Tuscany generally have?

Answer 2

Dry & Mediterranean

Summers are hot and dry, with harsh and cold winters.

Question 3

What is the principal red grape variety in Tuscany?

Answer 3

Sangiovese

Other red varieties include Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.

Question 4

What are the main white grape varieties in Tuscany?

Answer 4

Trebbiano & Malvasia

Other whites include Vermentino, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Question 5

Who defined the blend of Chianti to be primarily Sangiovese?

Answer 5

Bettino Ricasoli from Castello di Brolio.

Question 6

What is the significance of the black rooster on Chianti labels?

Answer 6

Marks true Chianti wines

Adopted by the Consortium for the Defense of Typical Wine of Chianti.

Question 7

In what year was Chianti upgraded to DOCG?

Answer 7

1984

This upgrade allows up to 10% French varieties.

Question 8

What are the minimum alcohol requirements for Chianti DOCG?

Answer 8

11.5%

Red wines only.

Question 9

What is the blending requirements in Chianti DOCG?

Answer 9

• 70-100% Sangiovese
• Can blend with other reds: Caniolo / Colorino ; max. 15% Cab.F
• Optionally whites: Malvasia and/or Trebbiano

Question 10

What are the aging requirements for Chianti DOCG?

Answer 10

• Normale: cannot be released until March 1st of the year following harvest
• Riserva: min. 2 years

Minimum 6 months aging.

Question 11

What is the min. alc. for Chianti Superiore?

Answer 11

Min. 12%

Question 12

What are the two main soil types in Chianti Classico?

Answer 12

• Galestro: friable clay schist
• Albarese: calcareous marl stone

Galestro yields powerful wines; Albarese yields wines with finesse.

Question 13

What are the 4 OG communes of production for Chianti Classico DOCG?

There are 8 in total

Answer 13

• Greve
• Radda: highest altitude
• Castellina
• Gaiole
  (G-eto R-at C-asting for G-ay porn)

Question 14

What is the blending law for Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 14

• 80-100% Sangiovese
• can be blended with regional red vars and/or Bdx. reds
• Min. 12% alc.

Question 15

What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico Normale?

Answer 15

Must not be released until Oct.1st, following the year of the harvest

Question 16

What are the requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva?

Answer 16

• Min. 12.5% alc.
• Min. 24 months from Jan 1st of the year following the harvest; with min. 3 months in bottle

Question 17

What are the requirements for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?

Answer 17

• Must be estate-grown grapes or long-term contractor
• From a single vineyard or selection of top parcels
• Min. 90% Sangiovese
• Min. 13% alc.
• Min. 30 months aging from Jan 1 of the year following the harvest ; with min. 3 months in bottle

Question 18

What is Vin Santo del Chianti Classico?

Answer 18

Traditional Tuscan dessert wine

Has the same boundaries as Chianti Classico DOCG.

Question 19

What grapes are used to make Vin Santo?

Answer 19

Trebbiano Toscana & Malvasia Bianca Lunga

Question 20

What is the aging process for Vin Santo?

Answer 20

Aged in caratelli barrels for 3-8 years

Traditionally aged in chestnut wood of 50 Litres

Question 21

What is Vin Santo is Occhio di Pernice

Answer 21

The rose version of Vin Santo made from min. 50% Sangiovese

Question 22

What is the main grape variety used in Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 22

100% Sangiovese Grosso

Question 23

Who was responsible for the Brunello clone?

Answer 23

Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi Santi in 1865

Question 24

What are the soil types in Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 24

• galestro
• clay & fossilised marine deposits

Question 25

What is the aging requirement for Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 25

* Normale: Min. **2 years in oak** + **4 months in bottle** Cannot be released until January 1st of the 5th year following harvest. * Riserva: Min. **2 years in oak** + **6 months in bottle** Cannot be released until Jan 1st of the 6th year following harvest

Question 26

What is the aging requirement for Rosso di Montalcino?

Answer 26

Min. **1 year** with optional oak

Question 27

What is the blending requirements of Vino Nobile?

Answer 27

Min. **70% Sangiovese** with max. **30% other Tuscan vars.** and max. **5% whites**

Question 28

What aging requirements are there for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

Answer 28

* Normale: min. **2 years** aging with min. **1 year in oak** * Riserva: min. **3 years**

Question 29

What initiated the Super-Tuscan movement?

Answer 29

Release of **1968 vintage Sassicaia** by **Marquis Mario Rochetta**

Question 30

What category was created in 1992 to unconstrain winemaking?

Answer 30

IGT category

Question 31

What was the *Super-Tuscan* of Chianti in 1970s?

Answer 31

* San Felice **"Vigorello"** * Montevertine **"Le Pergole Torte"** * Isole e Olena **"Cepparello"**

Question 32

Name some great Super-Tuscan

Answer 32

Antinori: * **"Tiganello"** - 85% Sangi. blend * **"Solaia"** - Cabs blend w/ Sangi. * **"Ornellaia"** - fully Bdx. blends * **"Masseto"** - Merlot based blend Tenuta San Guido "**Sassicaia**" - Bdx. blends Le Machiole "**Paleo Rosso**" - 100% Cab.F

Question 33

What is the geographical location of Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 33

North of Maremma

Question 34

What year was Bolgheri DOC awarded?

Answer 34

1994

Question 35

What are the allowed grape varieties for reds in Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 35

* 100% Cab.S / Cab.F / Merlot or Bdx. blends * Bdx. blends with Syrah or Sangi.

Question 36

What requirement exists for Bolgheri Superiore?

Answer 36

* Min. **2 years** aging, with **1 year in oak** * Min. **12.5%** alc.

Question 37

What is the monopole of Tenuta San Guido?

Answer 37

**Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC** awarded in 2013

Question 38

What is unique about Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?

Answer 38

Only white Tuscan region to achieve DOCG