Toscana - Grape Varieties Flashcards
What is Sangiovese grape locally called in Montepulciano?
Prugnolo Gentile
True or False:
Toscana has the most DOC/G appellations in Italy.
False
PIemonte has more DOC/G appellations.
What is the percentage of red varieties in Toscana’s vineyards?
More than 80%
The name of this red grape variety means “small cherry”. Also used as a blending partner and softening agent for Sangiovese due to its lower acidity.
Adapted well to the warmer conditions of Maremma where it is made into a single varietal wine.
Ciliggiolo
List the differences between Vin Santo and Vino Santo.
- Made in two different Italian wine regions (Toscana and Trentino)
- Different grapes (Vino Santo is made from the grape Nosiola)
- Different DOC requirements
- Vino Santo is usually sweeter and slightly lower in alcohol than Vin Santo of Toscana.
List aroma and flavor characteristics of Vin Santo? (up to 7)
- Intense, velvety oxdative
- Nuts
- Honey
- Hay
- Dried fruit
- Licorice
- Spice
What is the least common sweetness level of Vin Santo?
Dry Vin Santo.
What is Toscana’s wine production percentage out of total wine production in Italy?
6%
This grape variety is Toscana’s most widely planted white grape.
It is used to add acidity in white blends and was traditionally one of two white grapes permitted in the Chianti blend, though rarely done today.
Trebbiano Toscano (!)
(known as Ugni Blanc. a base wine of Cognac)
Vernaccia refers to a group of related and unrelated varieties.
Along with Vernaccia di San Gimignano, name the other Vernaccia considered to be the most important.
Vernaccia di Oristano
Along with Trebbiano Toscano, this white grape was permitted in the traditional Chianti and has been grown in Chianti area for centuries.
Today its main role is in the production of Vin Santo where it provides body and perfume.
Malvasia Blanca Lunga (!). (also known as Malvasia del Chianti)
What are challenges of cultivating Sangiovese? (up to 5)
- Site sensitive
- Buds early and late ripening
- Vigorous, prefers south-facing hillsides with poor and well drainaged soils
- Susceptible to do bunch rot and oidium
- Not like excessive heat and requires subtantial diurnal temperature swings
What is Sangiovese name classically associated with because of its color?
“Jupiter’s Blood” (in Latin, Sanguis Jovis)
List Sangiovese attributes (color and aromas) (up to 7)
- Light to medium in color intensity
- High acidity
- Tannic grip
- Violet
- Sour cherry
- Plum
- Tealeaf
What does each of two grapes Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Bianca Lunga bring to Vin Santo wine?
- Trebbiano provides acidity
- Malvasia provides body, texture and perfue
What is the most widely planted grape in Toscana?
Sangiovese (!)
More than 60% of the total.
What is Grechetto Bianco called locally in Montepulciano?
Pulcinculo
Since when have international grape varieties been present in Toscano? (which century)
At least 19th century
The name of this red grape means “little colored one” referring to the deep color of the grape’s skin and the wines.
The grape was historically and still used to deepen the color of wines such as Chianti and Vino Noble di Montepulciano.
Colorino (Colorino di Valdarno)
True or False
Trebbiano Toscana plays a promintant role in the production of Vin Santo.
True
Ancient Tuscan grape highly regareded since the Middle ages, this white grape is entirely grown around the town of San Gimignano.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano (!)
What are top four most planted international grape varieties in Toscano?
- Merlot (the second most widely planted grape in Toscano)
- Cabernet Sauvignon (third most)
- Cabernet Franc
- Petit Verdot
What are the reasons that Toscana IGT is considered to be an important category of wines in Toscana? (3)
- Includes a large number of Super Tuscans as well as red and white wines tha do not necessarilly fall within the Super Tuscan definition.
- Far more easily recognized in export markets than small lesser known Tuscan DOCs.
- Currently the Toscana IGT is one of Italy’s largest and IGTs in terms of volume and value.
Which IGT is considered to be the most important IGT designation for the wines in Toscana?
Toscana IGT
