Tuscany

Question 1

What are the major geographical boundaries of the Tuscany wine region?

Answer 1

Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennine Mountains

Question 2

When was Chianti first delimited?

Answer 2

1716

Question 3

What is the historical bottle used for Chianti?

Answer 3

Fiasco (squat, straw-covered bottle)

Question 4

What was the first vintage of Sassicaia? What estate produces this wine?

Answer 4

1968. Tenuta San Guido.

Question 5

Who is the founder of Tenuta San Guido?

Answer 5

Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta

Question 6

What was the first vintage of Tignanello? Which estate produces this wine?

Answer 6

1971. Marchesi Antinori.

Question 7

How many DOCGs are there in Tuscany?

Answer 7

11

Question 8

What is the climate type of Tuscany?

Answer 8

Mediterranean w/ cold winters and long, hot summers.

Question 9

What are the characteristics of Sangiovese grapes?

Answer 9

Thin-skinned, late ripening.

Question 10

What is the historically traditional “Chianti Formula”?

Answer 10

70% Sangiovese, 15% Canaiolo, 15% Malvasia (may include a small amount of Colorino or Trebbiano).

Question 11

Permitted varietals for Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 11

80%-100% Sangiovese. Max 20% other permitted red grapes (Colorino, Canaiolo Nero, Cab Sauv, Merlot). No white grapes permitted (since 2006 vintage).

Question 12

Permitted Varietals for Chianti DOCG?

Answer 12

70%-100% Sangiovese. Max 30% combined other permitted Tuscan varietals. Max 10% white grapes. Max 15% combined CS and CF.

Question 13

When were Chianti and its sub-zones delimited? When was it promoted to DOCG status?

Answer 13

1932. 1984.

Question 14

What are the sub-zones of Chianti?

Answer 14

1. Classico
2. Rùfina
3. Colli Fiorentini
4. Colli Senesi
5. Colline Pisane
6. Colli Aretini
7. Montalbano
8. Montespertoli (added in 1997).

Question 15

Who established the “Chianti Formula”, and when?

Answer 15

Barone Bettino Ricasoli, 1872.

Question 16

What does ‘Governo all’uso Toscano’ indicate on a wine label in Tuscany?

Answer 16

Refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation

Question 17

What does ‘Normale’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?

Answer 17

May be released after March 1st after harvest year (extended aging required in Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini)

Question 18

What does ‘Riserva’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?

Answer 18

Two years of aging. 12% min ABV.

Question 19

What does ‘Superiore’ indicate on a bottle of Chianti DOCG?

Answer 19

May be release after Sept 1st after harvest year. 12% min ABV.

Question 20

What are the two primary soil types of Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 20

Galestro (marl) and Alberese (sandstone)

Question 21

What year were both Chianti and Chianti Classic upgraded to DOCG status?

Answer 21

1984

Question 22

What are the sub-zones of Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 22

1. Radda
2. Gaiole
3. Castellina
4. Greve

Question 23

What does Gran Selezione mean on a bottle of Chianti Classico DOCG? What year was this category approved?

Answer 23

Estate fruit. 30 months aging w/ 3 in bottle. 13% min ABV. Approved in 2014 for the 2010 vintage.

Question 24

What does Riserva mean on a bottle of Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 24

24 months w/ 3 bottle. 12.5% min ABV. Typically aged in barrique.

Question 25

Who isolated the Brunello clone of sangiovese? When?

Answer 25

Clemente Santi. 1865.

Question 26

What was the first bottle of Brunello to be released?

Answer 26

1888 Biondi-Santi, Brunello Riserva

Question 27

What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?

Answer 27

2 years in wood, plus 4 months in bottle. May not be sold before January 1st of the 5th year following harvest.

Question 28

What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino Riserva?

Answer 28

2 years in wood, plus 6 months in bottle. May not be sold before January 1st of the 6th year following harvest.

Question 29

What does Vigna indicate on a bottle of Brunello?

Answer 29

Single vineyard.

Question 30

What is the primary soil type of Brunello?

Answer 30

Galesto at higher elevations, with clay and marine sediment at lower elevations.

Question 31

What are the frazioni of Brunello?

Answer 31

1. Sant Angelo in Colle 2. Castelnuovo Abate 3. Torrenieri

Question 32

What are the two approaches to wine making in Brunello?

Answer 32

Traditional (long maceration and large barrel aging). Modern (shorter maceration and barrique aging).

Question 33

Who are some producers of Brunello in the traditional-style?

Answer 33

Biondi-Santi, Talenti, Soldera

Question 34

Who are some producers of Brunello in the modern stylle?

Answer 34

Casanova di Neri, Mastrojanni

Question 35

What are the physical boundaries of Rosso di Montalcino in relation to Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 35

Identical.

Question 36

What are the aging requirements for Rosso di Montalcino?

Answer 36

1 year. Wood aging is not required.

Question 37

What grapes are permitted in Rosso di Montalcino?

Answer 37

100% sangiovese

Question 38

What is the Sant'Antimo DOC? When was it established?

Answer 38

"super-Tuscan" style wines in Montalcino from red and white grapes. Est 1996.

Question 39

What syle of wine is produced in Moscadello di Montalcino DOC?

Answer 39

Still and sparkling whites from Moscato Bianco. May be sweet or dry.

Question 40

When was Vino Nobile di Montepulciano promoted to DOCG status?

Answer 40

1980 (one of the first in Italy, along with Brunello)

Question 41

What is the clone of sangiovese used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Answer 41

Prugnolo Gentile

Question 42

What are the permitted varietals for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

Answer 42

Min 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile). Max 5% non-aromatic white grapes and Malvasia Bianca Lunga)

Question 43

What is the primary varietal of Masseto?

Answer 43

Merlot

Question 44

What is the varietal of Paleo Rosso? Who makes it?

Answer 44

100% Cabernet Franc. Le Macchiole.

Question 45

What were the first three 100% Sangiovese super-Tuscans?

Answer 45

Vigorello, San Felice; Le Pergole Torte, Montevertine; Cepparello, Isole e Olena

Question 46

When was the IGT category created?

Answer 46

1992

Question 47

What is the most planted white variety Tuscany?

Answer 47

Trebbiano

Question 48

What is the French synonym for Trebbiano?

Answer 48

Ugni Blanc

Question 49

When was Vernaccia di San Gimignano made a DOC? DOCG? What is the significance of this?

Answer 49

1966. 1993. It was the first DOC in Italy?

Question 50

Which varieties are commonly blended with vernaccia in Tuscany? Why?

Answer 50

Vermentino and Chardonnay. To add body.

Question 51

Who makes "Terre di Tufi"? What is the blend and denominazione?

Answer 51

Teruzzi & Puthod. 80% Vernaccia, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Sauvignon Blanc. IGT (85% min for Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG).