Tuscany

Question 1

What was the first vintage of Sassicaia

Answer 1

1968

Question 2

What is the hot humid wind from Africa that brings frequent rains?

Answer 2

Scirocco

Question 3

Where is Cortona located and what are the primary grapes

Answer 3

NE of Montepulciano

Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot

Question 4

What are the grapes of Carmignano

Answer 4

Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 5

Where is Val di Cornia located and what are the primary grapes

Answer 5

South of Bolgheri

Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese

Question 6

What are the grapes of Elba

Answer 6

Aleatico, Sangiovese, Ansonica, Vermentino

Question 7

Which Tuscan White DOC wines are based on Ansonica?

Answer 7

Ansonica Costa dell’Argentario
Elba
Maremma Toscana
Val di Cornia

Question 8

What area of Italy grows the most Ansonica

Answer 8

Sicily

Question 9

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is also know as what Ligurian Grape

Answer 9

Piccabon

Question 10

What Soils does Vernaccia di San Gimignano prefer

Answer 10

Marl Chalky Soils

Tuffa Sandy

Question 11

What is unique about Vernaccia di San Gimignano wine style

Answer 11

It is quite tannic for a white and was often referred to as the red wine in white clothing

Question 12

What Tuscan DOC/G use Aleatico

Answer 12

Elba Aleatico Passito
Sovana
Val di Cornia

Question 13

Which two regions are considered grand crus for Aleatico

Answer 13

Elba and Capraia

Question 14

Why is Canaiolo Nero a minor player in today

Answer 14

It did not adapt well to American rootstock and is difficult to graft

Question 15

Where are the best Ciliegiolo wines produced

Answer 15

Maremma

Question 16

Ciliegiolo vines grow best in what type of soil

Answer 16

those with excellent drainage

Question 17

Besides Morellino, Brunello and Prugnelo, what other synonyms does Sangiovese go by?

Answer 17

Nielluccio

Toustain

Question 18

When was Sangiovese first mentioned

Answer 18

1590

Question 19

What are the three best soils for Sangiovese

Answer 19

Alberese - clay, marl, limestone
Sandstone
Galestro - schistous shale

Question 20

Describe the best climate for Sangiovese

Answer 20

cool climate with large temperature diurnal and long growing seasons
Summers need to be warm and autumn long and dry

Question 21

What are Sangioveses best blending partners

Answer 21

Canaiolo Nero
Malvasia Nero
Colorino
Mammolo

Question 22

Which grape is considered Sangiovese soul partner - why?

Answer 22

Canaiolo Nero - it accentuates sangiovese floral and mitigates the tannin

Question 23

Who invented the Chianti formula and what is that formula

Answer 23

Bettino Ricasoli
7/10 Sangioves
2/10 Canaiolo Nero
1/10 Malvasia Blanca Lugna

Question 24

How many clones of Sangiovese are registered

Answer 24

102

Question 25

Who defined the Chianti Classico borders and and when

Answer 25

Grand Duke Cosmo Ill de Medici | 1716

Question 26

Which 4 townships fall completely with Chianti classico

Answer 26

Castellina Gaiole Greve Radda

Question 27

Which 4 townships are partly in Chianti Classico

Answer 27

Barberino Tavarnelle Castelnuovo Berardenga Poggibonsi San Casciano Val di Pesa

Question 28

What is the wine style of Castellina in Chianti

Answer 28

Potentially the most balanced with sneaky power, elevated acidity and darker colors

Question 29

What is the wine style of Gaiole in Chianti

Answer 29

Hard to generalized as topography, soils, and altitudes vary greatly

Question 30

What is the wine style of Castelnuovo Berardenga in Chianti

Answer 30

Generally powerful and fleshy

Question 31

What is the wine style of Greve in Chianti

Answer 31

somewhere between Gaiole and Castellina

Question 32

What is the wine style of Radda in Chianti

Answer 32

the sleekest and most refined

Question 33

Which non-classico Chianti is closest in quality to classico

Answer 33

Chianti Rufina

Question 34

How do the Apennienes Mountains impact Chianti Rufina

Answer 34

Large Temperature diurnals very cold nights Slow and long ripening season

Question 35

What are the 4 quadrants of Montalcino

Answer 35

Northeast Northwest Southeast Southwest

Question 36

In general, Montalcino northern quadrants produces what style of wine?

Answer 36

Cooler micro climates so the wines are sleeker, more floral and minerally with elevated acids

Question 37

In general, what is the style of Montalcino wines from the southeastern sector.

Answer 37

they are the broadest and most powerful

Question 38

In general, what is the style of Montalcino wines from the southwestern sector.

Answer 38

Depends. Higher on the slope by Sant' Angelo Colle are rich but graceful. Those lower on the slope by Sant Angelo Scalo can be super ripe.

Question 39

What is the most important town in Northeast Montalcino and describe its wine style

Answer 39

Torrenieri Cool Climate with alluvial and volcanic rock Early appeal, rich, dense, flinty

Question 40

What are the two most important towns in Southeastern Montalcino

Answer 40

Montalcino | Castelnuovo Dell'Abate

Question 41

What are the soils and wine style of wines from the Montalcino area of Montalcino

Answer 41

Galestro rich soils Most balanced of all Brunellos combines sleekness and elegance of the north with fleshy richness of the south

Question 42

What is the wine style of Castelnuovo Dell'Abate

Answer 42

Very warm subregion | Big, ripe and fleshy wines

Question 43

What are the 4 most important towns of Southwestern Montalcino

Answer 43

Camigliano Tavernelle Sant' Angelo Colle Sant Angelo Scalo

Question 44

What is the wine style of Camigliano Montalcino

Answer 44

Powerful, chunky wines, with lower acidity and strong mineral, briny character

Question 45

What is the wine style of Tavernelle Montalcino

Answer 45

Galestro and clay - hot | Luscious fruit, firm acid backbone

Question 46

What is the wine style of Sant Angelo Scalo Montalcino

Answer 46

Very Ripe to overripe, with elevated alcohol, restrained acid, broad, luscious

Question 47

What is the wine style of Sant Angelo Colle Montalcino

Answer 47

Great exposure - clay rich soil | Rich, deeply colored wines, with ripeness and elevated acidity

Question 48

What makes Colorino family of grapes unique and which is the best

Answer 48

They are teinturiers and provide Sangiovese with deep color. It has a gamey peppery character like syrah Colorino del Valdarno is the best

Question 49

What is Mammolo's signature character and which wine did it play a larger role

Answer 49

intense Violet aroma | Vino Nobile Montepulciano