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Toscana Flashcards

1
Q

What are the important rose appellations of Toscana?

A

Barco Reale di Carmignano Rosato (vin ruspo)

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2
Q

What are key features of Tuscanys overall reputation?

A

-Cultural - Renaissance 14 - 16c
-Top tourist destination and agricultural importance
-Most exported winegrowing region
-Rivals Piedmont in awards and ratings

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3
Q

What does Toscana mean?

A

From Latin Etruria (Estrucan inhabited)
Etruria - Tuscia - Toscana

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4
Q

What were important historical events of Estrucans in Tuscany?

A
  1. Settled in 9 BC
    (domesticating and training vines)
  2. 7 BC Commercial trade to Spain & France
  3. 3 BC defeated by Romans
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5
Q

What are key historical events in Toscana post-Romans?

A
  1. Monastic orders preserved viticulture after Roman Fall
  2. Communi/city-state development
  3. 13 - 16c Rinascimento. End of Middle Age, begining of Modern Age
    -Firenze control of the region
  4. Kingdom of Sardegna
  5. 19c oidium and phylloxera
  6. Post WWII mezzadria abolished
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6
Q

Who was Cosimo I de Medici?

A

The first Grand Duke of Firenze

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7
Q

What did Cosimo III do for the wine industry?

A

Edict to protect Toscana wines
Delimited Chianti, Pomino, Carmignano and Val D’Arno di Sopra

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8
Q

Who ruled Toscana after the Signoria?

A

House of Lorena (Lorraine, France) until Kingdom of Sardegena

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9
Q

What producers is Tacchis associated with?

A

Sassicaia
Tignanello, Solaia (Antinori)

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10
Q

When was the wine renaissane? What practices were put into place?

A

1980s in Tuscany
Lower yields
Better clones
New, modern equipment, cellar hygiene
Super Tuscans

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11
Q

Who is Giulio Gambelli?

A

Il Maestro Assagiatore (master taster)
Sangiovese father

Monetvine’s Le Pergole Torte
Soldera
Brunello di Montalcino: Case Basse, Poggio di Sorto

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12
Q

What is the largest central region (by size)?

A

Toscana
373 mi on Ligurian/Tyrrehnian coast

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13
Q

What is the topographical breakdown of Toscana?

A

67% hills - majority of planting sites
25% mountains (Northern Apenines)
8% Plains - alluvial or inland valleys

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14
Q

What is maremma

A

Historic-geographic area between Tuscany and Lazio

Divided into Northern/Alta
Southern/Grossetana
Laziale

-generally hills and plain marshland

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15
Q

What is the largest river in Toscana?

A

Arno: from the Apenine’s to Ligurian sea

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16
Q

What is the climate in Toscana? What are climatic challenges?

A

Mediterrean to the west, continental east and south
Inland - temperature extremes in summer/winte
Drought can be a problem - Corsica blocks humidity

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17
Q

What are the two rock types in Toscana?

A

Galestro - schist-like, crumbly eg Chianti Classico, Rufina, Monalcio

Alberese - fine grain marl, southern Toscana

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18
Q

What type of wine and grape is Toscanas most planted?

A

Reds - 80%
Sangiovese*, most widely planted - 60%

*difficult to grow. Early budding, late ripening, clusters susceptible to rot

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19
Q

Where did Sangiovese originate? What it is a cross of?

A

Most likely southern Italy

Ciliegeo x Calabrese Montenuovo

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20
Q

What are the synonyms of Sangiovese?

A

Morellino Grosso

Chianti Classico

Brunello (Montalcino)

Prugnolo Gentile (Montepulciano)

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21
Q

What are the key characteristics of Canaiolo?

A

Historically the red grape of Tuscany (pre-18th c)
Now mainly blending partner
-Soften sangiovese

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22
Q

What grape name means “small cherry”?

A

Ciliegiolo
(Sangiovese blending partner)

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22
Q

What does Colorino mean?

A

Little colored one

Deepens colors of Chianti or VN Montepulciano

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23
Q

What is Aleatico related to?

A

Moscato Bianco (muscat a petit grains)

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24
What is the most widely planted white grape in Toscana?
Trebbiano Toscano (Ugni Blanc) -Vin Santo -Traditionally 1 of 2 white grapes allowed in Chianti blend
25
After Trebbiano, what other white grape was allowed in Chianti blends?
Malvasia Bianca Lunga (Malvasia di Chianti) -Vin Santo - body, perfume
26
What does Vernaccia mean?
Indigenous Ancient Tuscan white grape from San Gimignano
27
After Sangiovese, what are the most planted grapes in Tuscany?
2. Merlot 3. Cabernet Sauvignon
28
What did the Consorzio of Chianti Classico do?
In 1980s project"Chianti Classico 2000" Developed high quality clones focused on lower yields and higher quality fruit
29
What are the most common training systems in Toscana?
Archetto (Guyot variation) Cordone Speronato (spur cordon) Guyot
30
What are other names for estates in Tuscany? (4)
Podere - farm Fattoria - farm Poggio - knoll Castello - castle
31
What are the main grapes in Vin Santo from Tuscany?
Trebbiano Toscana Malvasia Bianca Lunga -Passito style -Traditionally pressed during holy week (aka Vin Santo)
32
What is Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice?
"Partridge eye" Rare pink vin santo made from Sangiovese
33
How is Vin Santo made?
-Healthy grapes appassimento on racks, mats, or rafters -Dry until Dec - March -Pressed after sugar level reached -Slow, long fermentation in 4/5 filled caratelli (50L) chestnut, oak, acacia, cherry, or juniper -Caratelli stored in lofts - vinsantaie -Can be made in all sweetness levels. Dry is least common
34
What is madre?
"Mother" - thick deposits of wine-soaked lees and yeast. Often will be included in caratello
35
What is cantucci?
Hard almond cookie often eaten with Vin Santo
36
What is the difference between Vin Santo and Vino Santo?
-Locations: Vin Santo -Toscana); Vino Santo - Trentino -Grapes: Trebbiano v Nosiola -Vino Santo - usually sweeter and lower alcohol
37
Describe Toscanas wine industry
Produces 6% of Italy's wine volume 90% of production is red 65% DOC/G, 35% IGT, remaining no origin -11 DOCG -41 DOC Second to Piedmont in total DOC/G
38
What wines can be labeled as Toscana IGT?
Super Tuscans non-super Tuscan (red & white) One of the largest IGT by volume and value
39
Describe the soils and climate of Bolgheri (Northern Tuscan Maremma)
Mediterranean to more mild inland on hills Diverse soils: Alluvial with gravel, pebbles and marine content -Most vineyards located on flat lands
40
Where does sassicaia gets its name?
"Sassi" stony sites. Soils similar to stoney, gravely soils in Graves, FR
41
Who started sassacaia and when?
Marchese Mario Incisa della Rochetta In 1940s, moved from Piedmont, interested in making wines similiar to Bordeaux styles. One of the first uses of small barrels for maturation in Italy -Planted Cabernet (Sauvignon & Franc) on sassi
42
When was the first commercial vintage of Sassicaia released? By who?
1972 Release, 1968 vintage Initially Vino de Tavola until 1994 until icluded in Bolgheri DOC. 2013 seperate DOC Antinori (Marche's cousin) with held of Giacomo Tachis
43
What is the blending requirement for Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC?
80% Cab Sauv 24 month aged, 18 in oak
44
What is a Super Tuscan?
An unofficial designation for red wines made with international grapes and/or non-traditional blending aged in new small French oak Started in Bolgheri, popularized in Chianti
45
What are the typical grapes in Bolgheri DOC?
White - vermentino Rose Red/Rosso - released after Sept 1 year after vintage: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Sangiovese Usually made in Bordeaux style, small oak
46
What region in Tuscany is similiar in climate and soil to Bogheri?
Val di Cornia. Bordeaux style grapes Light to heavy alluvial soils, climate milder
47
What are the 2 DOCG and grapes in Val di Cornia?
Val di Cornia Rosso - Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, Merlot Suvereto - all reds, Cab, Merlot, Sangiovese
48
What are the grapes and requirements for Montecucco DOC? Monetcucco DOCG?
DOC - Sangiovese; Trebbiano DOCG - 90% Sangiovese, 1 yr wood -25 MGAs allowed on label
49
What is the most well known wine of Southern Maremma?
Morellino di Scansano 85% Sangio (Morellino) 15% Alicante (Cannonau) Ciliegiolo, Merlot Usually soft, fruit forward
50
What is the local name for Sangiovese in Southern Maremma?
Morellino
51
What is Italy's 3rd largest island?
Elba
52
What famous historical wine comes from Elba?
Red Aleatico, sweet passito Known by Medici, Napoleon (exiled there 1814 - 1815)
53
What are the blending requirements for Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG?
100% Aleatico 10 days min air drying
54
Where does Tuscany rank in area under vine? Production?
4th largest area under vine 7th largest in production
55
Where is the Accademia dei Georgofilli? When was it founded?
Firenze 1753 - oenological studies
56
What are the rivers in Tuscany?
Arno Ombrone Orcia
57
What does Vernaccia mean?
Native or indigenous (grape) Vernaccia di San Gimignano is its own grape. It is not related to other vernaccia's
58
What are the differences in wines from Chianti and Chianti Classico
Chianti: 70% Sangiovese, 30% other allowed including up to 10% white *except Colli Senesi must be 75% Sangio Classico: 80% Sangiovese, 20% red (usually Canailo Colorino, Merlot, Cab Sauv)
59
What are the names of the Chianti sub-zones?
Rufina - smallest and prestigious Montalbano: overlaps Carmignano Montespertoli (4) Colli - Aretini, Fiorentini, Pisane, Senesi
60
What are the requirements for Vin Santo del Chianti DOC?
-Comes from Chianti region -White: Trebbiano or Malvasia -Rose: Sangiovese (Occhio di Pernice) -Riserva aged 4 years -Sub-zones can make own Vin Santa
61
What is the history of Chianti Classico?
Historic center (Chianti Storico) between Florence and Sienna 1384 League of Chianti established boundaries 14th Century wine producing recorded - Canaiolo based 1716 demarcated region by Cosimo III 1872 Baron Bettino's blend 70% Sangio /15% Caniolo Nero/15% Malvasia 1927 - consorzio historic zone formalized with Gallo Nero 1996 - independent DOCG with up to 100% Sangio allowed 2006 - white wines banned from blend
62
Describe topography and soils of Chianti Classico
-Fertile hills and valleys -Eastern side - higher elevation = elegant, perfumed, higher acid and tannins -Western side - lower hills - fuller, richer, less acid and tannins -Continental climate -Galestro and alberese and sandstone soils
63
Name the categories and aging requirements of Chianti Classico
Classico/Annata - released Oct 1 after harvest. 12% Riserva - 24/3. 12.5% Gran Selezione - single vineyard, 30/3. 13%. lab tested
64
What is the history of Brunello di Montalcino?
16th c sweet white wines from Moscato 18th c Brunello, Clemente Santi experiments with red wine, longer maceration, monoculture 19th c Ferrucio Biondi (grandson) destemmed grapes, disease resistance, Slovenian oak
65
What is the topography and climate of Montalcino?
Square shaped by rivers Hills, slopes, ridges Mediterranean = more ripeness so more Sangio in blend -Soils: marine deposits, gravel and stone
66
What are the requirements for Brunelo di Montalcino DOCG?
100% Sangiovese 4 years: 2 years oak/4 month bottle (Longest aging requirement in Italy) Riserva: 5 years: 2y/6mo
67
What is the history of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Roman times: wines reknown Wines began to decline 1930s Adamo Fanetti revived 1980 - DOC elevated to DOCG - one of the first due to historic reknown
68
What are the requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
70% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) remaining any allowed Tuscun grapes, max 5% white Min 12.5% 24/12 Riserva 13% 36/12
69
What is the traditional versus modern winemaking approach in Toscana?
Traditional: higher proportions of Sangiovese blended with local (Cannaiolo, Colorino, Mammolo), long aging in large botti Modern: blend with international (Merlot, Cab, Syrah) in small French oak
70
!! Montepulciano !!
Montepulciano = Grape variety from Abruzzo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - Tuscany wine, sangiovese based Rosso di Montepulciano - Tuscany, sangiovese based Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Abruzzo
71
Name the Vin Santo appellations in Tuscany
Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC (white and red) Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (dry - sweet, white and red) Vin Santo del Chianti (white and red) Vin Santo di Montepulciano (white and red)
72
What are the requirements for Carmignano DOCG?
50% Sangiovese / 10 - 20% Cabernet Sauv and/or Cab Franc -Released after June 1 second year after harvest 1.5 years) 8 month wood aging
73
What is unique about Carmignano?
Traditional use of Cabernet grapes Sauv and Franc with Sangiovese -Lower elevation than Chianti -Included in Cosimo III delimination
74
What is the governo method?
Small portions of grapes left to air dry and used in a second fermentation -Adds body, alcohol, and softness -Practiced with Sangiovese
75
Who influenced Tuscany's modern winemaking techniques
Tacchis - Sassicaia, Solaia Gambelli - Brunello, Le Pergole (Sangio based)
76
What are the traditional and modern grapes of Montecarlo
Traditional - Trebbiano Modern - French varietals
77
What is the appellation on volcanic soils in Toscana?
Bolgheri
78
What is another name for Trebbiano Toscana?
Ugni Blanc
79
What does vin ruspo refer to?
To draw off - farmers taking 1- 2 demijohns before delivery
80
What is the only white DOCG in Toscana?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
81
What are the requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?
100% Sangiovese 4 years aging (2 oak, 2 bottle) longest in Italy
82
What is the second wine of Montalcino? What are its requirements?
Rosso di Montalcino 100% Sangiovese Released Sept 1 after harvest. No aging requirements Brunellos can declassify
83
What zone of production does San Gimignano overlap with?
Chianti

Italian Wine Scholar (23 decks)

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