Tuscany Flashcards
What is the encepagement of Guado al Tasso?
Made by Antinori. This vineyard is planted to Cabernet, Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah.
Compare the blends of Solaia and Tignanello
Tignanello is primarily 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet blended in and Solaia is mainly 80% Cabernet with Sangiovese.
Describe why Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is warmer than Chianti Classico?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG is in a warm pocket of Tuscany, protected on all sides by geographic elements. The Hills of Montecucco block access to the sea, the Monte Amiata shelters and breaks summer storms rather than in Montalcino itself. The Colli Senesi Hills block access to the north, and the southwest has the Tuscan Maremma. Chianti Classico is much father north and is exposed to the cool air of the Apennines. Harvest is 1 week to 10 days earlier in Montalcino than in Chianti.
What are the unofficial subzones of Montalcino?
Castelnuovo dell ‘Abate
Saint ‘Angelo in Colle
Torrenieri
What are the aging and alcohol requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?
12.5% alcohol
2 years aging in wood- for regular followed by 4 months in the bottle, and riserva 6 months in the bottle. May be sold January 1 the 5th and 6th year after harvest respectively.
Name a couple sweet wine DOCs or DOCGs of Tuscany?
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Vin Santo del Chianti DOC
Vin Santo del Montepulciano DOC
Muscadello di Montalcino DOC
Where is the highly respected Montosoli vineyard?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
What is the aging and blend requirements for Carmignano and Carmignano Riserva?
Minimum 50% Sangiovese, 10-20% Cabernet and Cabernet Franc, max 20% Canaiollo Nero, max combined Trebbiano Toscana, Malvasia del Chianti and Canaiollo Bianco. Max 10% other red grapes.
Regular: aged 8 months in wood, released the 2nd year
Riserva: aged 12 months released the 3rd year.
How long must Chianti Gran Selezione age?
Must age 30 months with 3 in the bottle
How long must Chianti Riserva age?
24 months with 3 in the bottle
Chianti Colli Florentini, Rufina Riserva, and Colli Senesi Riserva spend how much time aging?
Chianti Colli Fiorentini and Rufina Riserva: 2 years with 6 in wood
Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva: 2 years with 8 months in wood, 4 in bottle.
What is the aging required for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
12.5% alcohol
2 years aging (24 months wood/ or 18 in wood, 6 in another vessel/ or 12 months and 6 in another vessel.)
What is the permitted blend of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
70% Sangiovese
30% combined other red and white grapes of Tuscany with 5% max aromatic white grapes.
What is the blend of Suvereto DOCG?
Cabernet and Merlot with a max of 15% other Tuscan red grapes, or varietal wines from 85% varietal.
What is the required aging for Suvereto DOCG
No required aging for the basic Suvereto
Riserva- 18 months in oak and 6 in bottle
What are the subzones of Brunello di Montalcino?
Castelnuovo dell’Abate
Sant ‘Angelo in Colle
Torrenieri
What is the mountain that creates a rain shadow in Brunello?
Monte Amiata
What are the guidelines for Sassicaia DOC?
80% Cabernet minimum, 20% other red grapes
2 years aging with 18 months in wood - specifies 225L barrels
Where would you find the Ombrone, Orcia and Asso Rivers?
In the Brunello region
Where is Mount Amiata?
In Brunello
What are the seven subzones of Brunello?
Montalcino- highest altitudes Bosco Torrenieri Tavernelle Camigliano Saint Angelo- Deep South, high altitude Castelnuovo dell’Abate- best subzone, far southeast
What type of trellising is most common in Brunello?
Cordon spur suits Sangiovese the best.
Tignanello, Cepparello, Flaccianello are all labeled IGT Toscana. What other DOCG could they all qualify for?
Chianti Classico DOCG. The DOCG changed their rules allowing Cabernet and a percentage of other international grapes in the hopes to attract these high profile wineries back to the DOCG.
What are the DOCGs of Tuscany that have extended barrel aging required? Over 6 months in barrel.
Brunello- 2 years in wood - released either 5th or 6th year
Carmignano Riserva- 12 months in wood released 3rd year 9/29
Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva- 8 months in wood, 2 years aging
Monecucco Sangiovese - 1 year oak, released 2nd year
Montecucco Riserva- 24 months in oak, released 3rd year 9.1
Morellino di Scansano Riserva- 1 year in wood, 2 years total.
Rosso della Val di Cornia Riserva- 18 months oak, released 3rd year
Suvereto Riserva- 18 months oak released 3rd year
Vino Nobile di Montipulciano- 24 in wood, 18 in wood or 12 in wood depending.
