Tuscany

Question 1

Tuscany map (ID Chianti, Chianti Classico, Montalcino, Bolgheri)

Answer 1

Question 2

Tuscany geography (location and features)

Answer 2

Liguarian Sea to the northwest
Tyrrhenian Sea to Southwest
Apennine foothills to the east

Question 3

Tuscany climate

Answer 3

Continental maritime with stronger maritime influence closer to coast

Question 4

Tuscany white grapes

Answer 4

Trebbiano
Vermintino
Vernaccia

Question 5

Tuscany red grapes

Answer 5

Sangiovese!
Brunello aka Sanviovese Grosso
Prugnolo Gentile
Cab Sauv
Merlot
Cab Franc

Question 6

Tuscany soil

Answer 6

Galestro
Montalcino - Clay and marine sediments at lower elevation, Galestro at higher elevation.

Question 7

Galestro

Answer 7

Schist based soil found in Tuscany.

Question 8

What makes a Super Tuscan a Super Tuscan?

Answer 8

• 1970s/80s
• First made in the Bolgheri region
• Highly structured with lots of tannin and new oak/vanilla flavors.
• Bordeaux blends with mix of Sangiovese or pure Sangiovese wines

Question 9

Brunello di Montalcino aging requirements

Answer 9

• Must be aged 4 yrs with 2 in oak
• Riserva must be aged 5 yrs with 2 in oak
• Traditional producers use Slavnonian oak casks to minimize oak and vanilla flavors
• Modern producers us new French oak barriques

Question 10

Tuscany wine making styles

Answer 10

• Dry red and white
• Sweet Vin Santo
• Sangiovese based wines have a moderate intensity of color and tart acidity that outweighs tannin.
• Volatile acidity is common in these wines.

Question 11

Italy wine classification

Answer 11

DOCG
DOC
IGP

Question 12

Label terms

Answer 12

Superiore - increase alcohol level required
Classico - classic center of a region
Riserva - longer aging times required
Gran Selezione - top wine from a region, single vineyard, tasting test, aging requirements

Question 13

What is the min % Sangiovese allowed in Chianti Classico?

Answer 13

80% min Sangiovese

Question 14

What is the min % Sangiovese allowed in Chianti?

Answer 14

70% min Sangiovese

Question 15

What is the min % of Brunello allowed in Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 15

100% Brunello

Question 16

Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano DOCG

Answer 16

70% min Prugnolo Gentile “little prune”
Sangiovese clone
Do not confused with Montepulciano grape!

Question 17

What is the Bolgheri DOC best known for?

Answer 17

• Birthplace of Super Tuscan movement 1970s/80s
• Commercial success led to appellation
• Sassicaia and Tiganello are the main wines that ignited this movement
• 80% min Cab Sauv (secondary grapes Cab Franc, Merlot)
• Must be aged 1 yr

Question 18

What is Rosso di Montepulciano?

Answer 18

Younger, lighter, fruitier, less complex and less expensive than vino nobile de Montepulciano

Made from lower quality grapes and no aging requirements

Question 19

What are the subregions of Chianti Classico?

Answer 19

Rufino
Colli Senesi
Fiorenti

Question 20

Vin Santo DOCs

Answer 20

Sweet wine from Tuscany
Roasted nut, fig, and vanilla spice flavors
Produced under following DOCs:
* Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
* Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC
* Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
* Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC

Question 21

Tuscany producers to know

Answer 21

Antinori - Brunello, Super Tuscan
Ruffino
Sassiciaia - Super Tuscan OG
Tiganello - Super Tuscan OG
Biondi Santi - Brunello OG (invented it)
Ornellaia - Super Tuscan
Masseto - Super Tuscan
Solaia - Super Tuscan
Soldera
La Pergole Torte - Super Tuscan

Question 22

Chianti Classico producers to know

Answer 22

Castello di Volpaia
Querciabella

Question 23

Brunello producers to know

Answer 23

Biondi-Santi
Il Poggione

Question 24

Top Brunello vintages

Answer 24

2010
2012
2015
2016

Question 25

Do you decant Brunello?

Answer 25

Always decant young Brunello

Question 26

What is the history of the black rooster on the Chianti label?

Answer 26

* 13th century when Florence and Sienna battled for control of Chianti territory * Knights rode in from respective cities at "roosters first crow" and the demarcation line was were they met * Sienna - white rooster * Florence - black rooster (crowed first because it was locked in a cage for days prior so knight covered more ground) * Ended with Florence in control of nearly all of Chianti

Question 27

Food pairings

Answer 27

Pasta with bolognese sauce - medium acid, tannins, and slightly smokey profule pair nicely with tomato based sauces and meat. Also works with Brunello!

Question 28

Brunello current release and price

Answer 28

2017 is the "youngest" on shelves anywhere from $80-$250 for top brands Biondi-Santi is $250/bottle