Toscana

Question 1

What is the general climate found in Toscana?

Answer 1

continental/maritime with stronger maritime influence near the coast

Question 2

What is the main mountain range that runs across the northern part of Tuscany?

Answer 2

Apennine mountains

Question 3

What are the 2 seas that Tuscany touches?

Answer 3

1. Ligurian Sea
2. Tyrrhenian Sea

Question 4

Name 3 main white grapes grown in Tuscany

Answer 4

1. Trebbiano
2. Vermentino
3. Vernaccia

Question 5

Name the 6 most commonly found and used red grapes in Tuscany.

Answer 5

1. Sangiovese
2. Brunello/Sangiovese Grosso
3. Prugnolo Gentile
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Cabernet Franc
6. Merlot

Question 6

What is Galestro?

Answer 6

•Galestro is a description of a schistous-clay formation in the soil (technically not a soil type)
•found in Tuscany, specifically in Chianti Classico, Montalcino

Question 7

Montalcino in Tuscany not only has galestro, it also has Albarese.

1. What is albarese, where can it be found in Montalcino?
2. Where is galestro found in Montalcino?

Answer 7

1. Albarese is clay and marine sediments (limestone), found at lower elevation
2. Galestro found at higher elevation

Question 8

What is Chianti DOCG?

Answer 8

•has 7 subzones
•min 70-100% Sangiovese, max 30% combined other grapes authorised in Toscana, max 10% white grapes, max 15% combined Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc
•can be Riserva, Superiore, may labelled by subzones
•min alcohol 11.5% abv
•may not be released until March 1 after harvest year

Question 9

What are the 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG?

Answer 9

1. Rufina
2. Colli Fiorentini
3. Colli Senesi
4. Colli Aretini
5. Colline Pisane
6. Montespertoli
7. Montalbano

Question 10

What is Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 10

•must come from a delimited region
•can be Riserva, Gran Selezione
•min 80-100% Sangiovese, max 20% other red grapes authorised by Siena and Firenze (including Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
•min alcohol 12% abv
•min aging 1 year

Question 11

What is the difference for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

Answer 11

•min alcohol increased to 12.5% abv
•min aging 24 months, 3 months in bottle

Question 12

What is the difference for Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG?

Answer 12

•first introduced in 2014
•wines must be produced from estate fruit
•min 90% Sangiovese, max 10% other red grapes traditional to the region
•min alcohol 13% abv
•min aging 30 months, 3 months in bottle

Question 13

What are the grapes that are not allowed in the blend for Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 13

Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianco as of 2006

Question 14

What are the 3 most commonly made styles of wine made in Toscana?

Answer 14

1. Dry red wines
2. Dry white wines
3. Sweet Vin Santo

Question 15

What does term ‘Superiore’ mean on a bottle?

Answer 15

Increased alcohol level

usually 0.5-1% abv more than a normale

Question 16

What does term ‘Classico’ refer to on a bottle?

Answer 16

Classic center of a region

Question 17

What does the term ‘Riserva’ generally mean on a bottle?

Answer 17

Longer aging times required

Question 18

Generally describe a Vin Santo wine.

Answer 18

Vin Santo, or “holy wine”, is a high alcohol, almond and honeyed dried grape wine made from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes

Grechetto is sometimes authorised

Rosé versions called “Occhio di Pernice” are produced with a min 50% Sangiovese added to white grapes

Question 19

Name the 4 Vin Santo appellations found in Tuscany.

Answer 19

1. Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
2. Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
3. Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC
4. Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC

Question 20

What is Governo process or better known as Governo all’uso del Toscano?

Answer 20

refermentation of racked wine

•partial of harvested grapes is set aside to dried out on cannicci or castelli to concentrating sugars and flavours
•adding the dried grapes to a fermenting must that was fermenting slow, the additional sugars from dried grapes reinvigorate the yeast activity, promoting complete fermentation
•trigger secondary fermentation, enhancing complexity and mouthfeel
•usually takes place before the end of the year of harvest, may be repeated in March or April

though this is a very traditional Italian winemaking technique, Chianti Classico has prohibited this technique while you still can find regions like Marche and Umbria practice

Question 21

What’s the benefits of Governo Process?

Answer 21

•enhanced fermentation, ensures thorough fermentation, reducing residual sugars that could lead to spoilage
•improved stability by stabilising the wine with malolactic fermentation, which can soften the acidity levels
•increases glycerol content, contributing to a fuller body and smoother mouthfeel

Question 22

What is Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 22

•first introduced in 1994, mainly to bring in Sassicaia
•can be rosso, bianco, rosato, rosso superiore, Vermentino, Sauvignon

Question 23

What are the grapes varieties permitted in Bolgheri DOC Bianco?

Answer 23

•0-100% Vermentino
•0-100% Sauvignon Blanc
•0-100% Viognier
•with a maximum of 40% other white varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana

Question 24

If the Bolgheri Bianco has Vermentino/Sauvignon indicated on label, how many % stated variety need to be in the wine?

Answer 24

•min 85% of stated variety
•max 15% of other white varieties suitable for cultivation in Toscana

Question 25

What are the permissible red grape varieties and their percentages for *Bolgheri DOC*?

Answer 25

•0-100% Cabernet Sauvignon •0-100% Merlot •0-100% Cabernet Franc •max 50% Syrah •max 50% Sangiovese •max 30% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in *Toscana*

Question 26

Who was the first single estate to be granted its own sub-appellation DOC in *Bolgheri*?

Answer 26

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Question 27

What is *Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC*?

Answer 27

•established in 2013 •min 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, max 20% other red grapes suitable for cultivation in *Tuscany* •min alcohol 12% abv •min aging 2 years from Jan 1 of year after harvest (18 months in 225-litre barriques)

Question 28

*Brunello di Montalcino DOCG* must be how many % from this grape?

Answer 28

Must be 100% Sangiovese ##footnote locally know as *Brunello*

Question 29

What is *Brunello di Montalcino “Vigna” *?

Answer 29

single vineyard wine

Question 30

What is *Brunello di Montalcino DOCG*?

Answer 30

•100% Sangiovese (Brunello) •min alcohol 12.5% abv •min aging of 5 years, 2 years in oak and 4 months in bottle •**RISERVA** min aging of 6 years, 2 years in oak and 6 months in bottle •finished wine must be bottled in *Bordelaise* bottle with a cork stopper •”Vigna” wines are not allowed to add rectified grape must

Question 31

Most *Brunello di Montalcino DOCG* mature in what kind of casks? What size is it?

Answer 31

Large neutral *Slavonian* casks known as **botti**, some may use *French* oak if they want to impart greater sense/ flavour of oak ##footnote Slavonian oak comes from the forested, inland of *Croatia*

Question 32

What is *Rosso di Montalcino DOC*?

Answer 32

it is a declassify wines from producers of *Brunello di Montalcino DOCG* (especially when poor vintages or young vines) ##footnote *Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG* can declassify to *Rosso di Montepulciano DOC*

Question 33

How many % Sangiovese in *Rosso di Montalcino DOC*?

Answer 33

100% Sangiovese

Question 34

What is the aging for *Rosso di Montalcino DOCG*?

Answer 34

Min one year aging, may not release till Sep 1 year after harvest (min 12% abv)

Question 35

How many % Sangiovese in *Rosso di Montepulciano DOC*?

Answer 35

Min 70% Sangiovese, max 30% other non-aromatic grapes that suitable for cultivation in *Toscana*, including max 5% white grapes

Question 36

What is the aging for *Rosso di Montepulciano DOC*?

Answer 36

Min 6 months, may no be released before March 1 after harvest year (11.5% abv)

Question 37

What are the synonyms of Sangiovese in *Toscana*?

Answer 37

1. Brunello (in Montalcino) 2. Prugnolo Gentile (in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) 3. Morellino (in Maremma region, around Scansano) 4. Sangioveto (traditional Tuscan synonym)

Question 38

What are the grapes in *Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG*?

Answer 38

•min 70% Prugnolo Gentile •max 30% combined other red and white varieties permitted in *Toscana* (max 5% non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga) ##footnote they are the first red wine DOCG in Italy (they were the first to apply DOCG status)

Question 39

What is the aging for *Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG*?

Answer 39

min 12.5% abv, min 2 years, from Jan 1 after harvest year with following options: 1. 24 months in wood 2. min 18 months in wood, 6 months in alternative vessels 3. min 12 months in wood and min 6 months in bottle, with the rest in alternative vessels

Question 40

What is the aging for *Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG*?

Answer 40

min 13% abv, min 3 years including 6 months in bottle from Jan 1 after harvest year

Question 41

What are some renowned producers of *Brunello di Montalcino DOCG*?

Answer 41

**Traditional**: 1. Biondi-Santi 2. IL Poggione 3. Poggio di Sotto 4. Soldera **Modern**: 1. Casanova di Neri 2. Banfi **Intermediate**: 1. Conti Costanti 2. Ciacci Piccolomini

Question 42

What are some renowned producers for *Bolgheri DOC*?

Answer 42

1. Grattamarco 2. Le Macchiole 3. Ornellaia 4. Guado al Tasso 5. Banfi

Question 43

What is the story behind the *Gallo Nero* on *Chianti Classico* bottles?

Answer 43

•The black rooster icon (Gallo Nero) comes from the Republic of Florence and the Republic of Siena attempting to resolve consistent conflicts. • The story goes that at dawn, one knight from Siena and one from Florence would leave their respecitve cities and travel in the direction of the Chianti territory; Since the moment of departure was decisive, it was decided to rely on the cockcrow. • The men of Siena chose a white rooster and fed it in the belief that it would sing much louder at dawn. On the contrary, the Florentines preferred a black rooster that they left hungry for several days and locked in a dark room. •The day of the competition came - Starved by hunger, the black rooster began to sing as soon as he was freed: the Florentine knight was able to leave first, even before the sun came up. In Siena, however, the white rooster sang at the first light of dawn, having slept a few more hours as he was full. As a result, the Sienese knight left with a strong delay with respect to the challenger. ##footnote The two knights met at Fonteruoli, just 12 km from Siena - so almost the entire Chianti region was annexed to the Republic of Horence.

Question 44

What is *Morellino di Scansano DOCG*?

Answer 44

•min alcohol 12.5% abv •min 85% Morellino (local Sangiovese name) •max 15% other red varieties authorised by province of *Grosseto* •may be released from March 1 after harvest year **RISERVA** •min alcohol 13% abv •min aging 2 years from Jan 1 after harvest year (including 1 year in wood)

Question 45

What is *Carmignano DOCG*?

Answer 45

•dry red wine •min 50% Sangiovese •10-20% combined Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon •max 20% Canaiolo Nero •max 10% combined Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia del Chianti, Canaiolo Bianco •max 10% combined other red varieties suitable for cultivation in *Toscana* •min alcohol 12.5% abv •min aging 8 months in oak, may not be sold before June 1 after harvest year **RISERVA** •min aging 12 months in oak, may not be sold before Sep 29 the third year after harvest

Question 46

What is *Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC*?

Answer 46

•a declassify wine from *Carmignano DOCG* •can be red or rosé •max 50% Sangiovese •max 20% Canaiolo •10-20% combined or separately Cab Franc and Cab Sauvignon •max 10% white grapes, Trebbiano Toscano, Canaiolo Bianco, Malvasia •min alcohol 11%