Tuscany

Question 1

What geographical features border Tuscany?

Answer 1

Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy and Apennine Mountains

Question 2

Where were the first DOC/DOCG zones authorized in Italy?

Answer 2

Tuscany

Question 3

What is a fiasco?

Answer 3

A short, straw covered bottle that Chianti was traditionally bottled

Question 4

Who is Marquis Mario Rocchetta?

Answer 4

He released the first vintage of Sassicaia in 1968

Question 5

Who is Piero Antinori?

Answer 5

The nephew of Marquis Mario Rocchetta and creator of Tignanello

Question 6

About what percentage of wine produced in Tuscany is at the DOC/DOCG level?

Answer 6

About 60%
About 85% of total production is red

Question 7

How many DOCGS are in Tuscany?

Answer 7

11, trailing behind Piedmont and Veneto

Question 8

Describe the climate of Tuscany

Answer 8

Dry, Mediterranean climate, winters can be harsh and summers can be long and hot.

Question 9

What type of aging is common for Sangiovese in Tuscany?

Answer 9

traditionally spends time in large European—often Slavonian—casks, but modern wines are just as likely to be aged in new barriques

Question 10

What grapes are historically added to Sangiovese blends?

Answer 10

Cab Sauv & Colorino for color and power
Canaiolo to soften

Question 11

What does the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico’s “Chianti Classico 2000 Project” do?

Answer 11

in 1987 they started clonal research into Sangiovese which is highly receptive to permutation in the vineyard.

Question 12

Which DOCGs is Sangiovese the principal red grape?

Answer 12

Chianti, Chianti Classico, Carmignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, and Montecucco Sangiovese

Question 13

What is the most widely plant white grape in Italy?

Answer 13

Trebbiano Toscano
(it’s common blending partner is Malvasia)

Question 14

What are the 8 subzones for Chianti?

Answer 14

Classico
Rùfina
Colli Fiorentini
Colli Senesi
Colline Pisane
Colli Aretini
Montalbano
Montespertoli *added in 1997

Question 15

When was Chianti upgraded to DOCG status?

Answer 15

In 1984, originally delimited in 1932 as one of the oldest zones in Europe

Question 16

Which producers dominate Rufina?

Answer 16

Frescobaldi firm & Fattoria Selvapiana are the only producers in the tiny Pomino DOC within Rùfina

Question 17

Who is Baron Bettino Ricasoli?

Answer 17

Credited with creating the fist blend for Chianti in 1872

Question 18

What is the traditional practice of governo?

Answer 18

refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation.
Must be indicated on labels as Governo all’uso Toscano

Question 19

When may Chianti normale be released?

Answer 19

March 1 the year following harvest
*Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini require additional aging

Question 20

What are the aging requirements for Chianti Riserva and Superiore?

Answer 20

Riserva - 2 years
Superiore - 0.5% higher alc, plus lower yields

Question 21

Which villages appended “in Chianti” to their names?

Answer 21

Radda, Gaiole, Castellina, and Greve

Question 22

Which soils dominate Tuscany?

Answer 22

Sandstone and Marl dominate the region. Macingo and Piestraforte are the major sandstone-driven soils while Albarese is the top Marl soil

Question 23

Wine laws for Chianti Classico?

Answer 23

min 80%-100% Sangiovese, no white grapes, 12% alc, not released until Oct 1 following harvest.
Riserva - 24 months/3 in bottle 12.5%
Gran Selezione - 30 months/3 in bottle, 13%, 90% sangiovese

Question 24

Who is Clemente Santi?

Answer 24

Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi with the invention of the Brunello style, as the producer was the first to isolate the Brunello clone and bottle it alone in 1865. First release of the Brunello Riserva 1888

Question 25

Wine laws for Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 25

100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello), Aged in cask for a minimum 2 years & 4 months in bottle, 6 months for riserva. May not be released until January 1st of the fifth year following harvest, or until the sixth year for riserva bottlings.

Question 26

Soils in Montalcino?

Answer 26

Galestro characterizing the higher-altitude vineyards. Clay is predominant in the warmer southern reaches of the zone, and fossilized marine deposits are scattered

Question 27

Modern vs Traditional producers in Montalcino?

Answer 27

Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni—toward small barrels and shorter macerations Biondi-Santi, Talenti, and Soldera, remain more traditional

Question 28

Rosso di Montalcino DOC?

Answer 28

100% Sangiovese. The wines must be aged for 1 year prior to release, although cask aging is not required

Question 29

Sant’Antimo DOC?

Answer 29

Created in 1996, provides Montalcino producers an outlet for “Super-Tuscan”. Any grape authorized in Tuscany allowed and either red or white.

Question 30

Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?

Answer 30

White wine only Produced from the Moscadello (Moscato Bianco) grape, wines are often sweet, and may be still or sparkling

Question 31

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

Answer 31

One of the first DOCGS in Italy, awarded in 1980. Min 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile clone) and, as of 2010, a maximum 30% other varieties of Tuscany, including no more than 5% of white varieties.

Question 32

How long is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano aged?

Answer 32

minimum of two years, with at least one year in wood. Riserva wines are aged for at least 3 years

Question 33

Morellino di Scansano DOCG?

Answer 33

Awarded in 2006 85% Sangiovese Riserva aged min 2 years

Question 34

Where is 50% Sangiovese required?

Answer 34

Carmignano - 10-20% Cab Sauv or Cab Franc added

Question 35

List several Super Tuscan's and their blends

Answer 35

Sassicaia - Cab Sauv based Solaia by Antinori - Cab Sauv based Ornellaia - Bordeaux blend Masseto - Merlot based Paleo Rosso from Le Macchiole - 100% Cab Franc

Question 36

What were the first 3 Super Tuscans to be 100% Sangiovese?

Answer 36

San Felice's Vigorello, Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte and Isole e Olena’s Cepparello

Question 37

What does nome di fantasia translate to?

Answer 37

Fantasy name - great Super Tuscans released as IGT use it

Question 38

What is the only true monopole DOC in Italy?

Answer 38

In 2013, the Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC

Question 39

What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?

Answer 39

Vernaccia di San Gimignano a hilltop town in the Siena province

Question 40

Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG?

Answer 40

sweet red passito wines made from the Aleatico grape. The only DOCG for dessert wine.

Question 41

Vin Santo del Chianti DOC wine laws?

Answer 41

Trebbiano and Malvasia are usually raisinated until Dec 1 aging in caratelli barrels 3-8 years made from Chestnut or Oak Final wine may be sweet or dry may be fortified, and labeled liquoroso