Describe the (poor but mineral rich) soils of Elba
Volcanic granite & porphyry
Sedimentary limestone
Clay and gravel
Metamorphic gneiss and schist
Define insula vini ferax
Pliny the Elder described Elba as "the island fertile (abundant) of wine"
Describe the wines of Elba
known for sweet passito
dry whites and reds drunk by summer tourists
Describe the wines of Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Sweet red from 100% Aleatico
Air-dried at least 10 days until at least 300 g/l sugar
Min 12% abv (usually 13%-14% abv)
Who revived Carmignano from being subsumed into Chianti Montalbano?
Count Ugo Contini Bonacossi
Carmignano granted DOC in 1975
Describe the wines of Carmignano DOCG
Sangiovese: min 50% (most are 70%-90%)
Cabernet: 10%-20%
Canaiolo: max 20%
Other red grapes: max 10% (including Merlot)
White grapes: max 10% (Trebbiano, Malvasia, Canaiolo Bianco)
Reds cannot be released before June 1 V+2 and must be aged min 8 months in oak or chestnut
Riserva: 36/12 total/oak or chestnut (oak more common)
Describe the wines of Barco Reale di Carmignano DOCG
Rosso and rosato (known as Vin Ruspo, made by salasso)
Second wine of Carmignano using same grapes and proportions as Carmignano but has no aging requirements
Carmignano DOCG can be declassified as Barco Reale DOC
Describe the wines of Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC
White: based on Trebbiano and Malvasia
Occhio di Pernice (pink): based on Sangiovese
Air-dried 4-6 months
Dry to sweet
Age: min 36
Riserva: min 48
How were the boundaries of Chianti Storico established?
Firenze established a military/political jurisdiction called Lega del Chianti (League of Chianti) in 1384 to control this area in its dispute with Siena
How did Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) become the symbol for Chianti Classico?
Medieval legend; adopted in 1924 by 33 producers in Chianti Storico to combat the fraud of "vino all'uso di Chianti"; this consorzio officially formalized the boundaries in 1927
Define "vino all'uso di Chianti
Wine in the style of Chianti
Term for wines produced with the same grapes and in the same manner as Chianti Storico but made outside the historic Chianti area in the 20th century
When were the boundaries of Chianti defined?
1932: Chianti Classico and 6 other Chianti subzones
T or F? When the Chianti DOC was created in 1967 it adopted the Ricasoli blending formula
True: Sangiovese (50-80%), Canaiolo (10-30%), Malvasia and Trebbiano (10-30%)
T or F? When Chianti DOCG was elevated in 1984, the Chianti Classico subzone only required 2% white grapes
True
T or F? When Chianti Classico DOCG was elevated in 1996, Chianti Classico could be 100% Sangiovese
True
T or F? In 2006, white grapes were banned from Chianti Classico
True
Name the current grapes that may be used in Chianti Classico
Sangiovese: min 80% (many use 100%)
Auxiliary red grapes: max 20% (Canaiolo, Colorino, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)
Age: 12 to 24 months in oak
Name the 4 communes included in Chianti Classico
Greve in Chianti (in Firenze)
Radda in Chianti (in Siena, as are the following)
Gaiole in Chianti
Castellina in Chianti
Name 4 unofficial sub-zones of Chianti Classico
Monti
Lamole
Ruffoli
Panzano
Name the 5 communes only partially included in Chianti Classico
Castelnuovo Berardenga (in Siena)
S. Casciano in Val di Pesa (in Firenze, as are the following)
Tavernalle Val di Pesa
Barberino Val d'Elsa
Poggibonsi
Name the boundaries of Chianti Classico
North: Firenze and the Arno river basin
East: Monti del Chianti
South: Siena
West: Elsa Valley
Name the 3 small rivers within Chianti Classico
Flow north into Arno river: Greve and Pesa rivers
Flow south into Umbrone river: Arbia river
Pronounce Canaiolo
CAN-A-YOLLO
What did Baron Bettino Ricasoli contribute to Chianti?
The "Iron Baron" ("il Barone di ferro") was the first prime minister of the Kingdom of Italy
Formalized the "Chianti formula" after experimentation
Wines for aging: Sangiovese + Canaiolo
Wines for early consumption: Sangiovese (70%), Canaiolo (15%), Malvasia (15%)
Governo all'uso Toscano: recommended old practice to make wines more approachable and ready to drink sooner
Define Governo all'uso Toscano
Winemaking technique: invented in the 14th century to encourage MLC; adds the juice of pressed dried grapes into wines that had just completed fermentation to restart fermentation
Rare today: but if performed must be indicated on the label
Are the eastern or western hills of Chianti Classico higher?
Eastern hills: 1600-2000 feet
Western hills: lower and gentler
Best vineyards lie between 1000-1600 feet on south-facing slopes
T or F? Most Chianti Classico soils consist of galestro alternating with alberese and sandstone
True: Sandstone is known locally as macigno (boulder)
T or F? Chianti Classico has a Mediterranean climate
False: Continental with moderate Mediterranean influences; Annual rainfall is 25-35 inches mainly in spring and late autumn
Categorize Chianti Classico wine styles
Higher sites: Elegant and perfumed; high acid, firm tannins
Lower sites: Fuller and richer; less acidity and soft tannins
T or F? Chianti Classico DOCG has one of Italy's lowest maximum yields per hectare and per vineyards
True
Name the 3 categories of wines produced in Chianti Classico
Gran Selezione: introduced in 2013 for 2010 vintage onward; min 13% abv, min 30/3 total/bottle age; lab analysis, tasting approval
Riserva: min 12.5% abv, min 24/3 total/bottle age; long lived
Annata (vintage): younger and more approachable, min 12% abv, released after Oct 1 V+1
T or F? Vin Santo is not produced within Chianti Classico
False: Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC is min 60% Trebbiano and/or Malvasia (secco, abboccato, amabile); Occhio di Pernice is min 80% Sangiovese (dolce); released after Nov 1 V+3
T or F? Chianti is twice as big as Chianti Classico
True: Chianti has 7 sub-zones
Describe the 7 Chianti sub-zones
Most substantial: Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi
Min 12.5% abv: Subzone Riserva (execpt Colli Senesi)
Min 13% abv: Colli Senesi Riserva
Min 24 (Jan 1 V+3): Chianti Riserva
Min 24/6: Colli Fiorentini and Colli Rufina (age: total/barrel)
Min 24/8/4: Colli Senesi (age: total/barrel/bottle)
Describe Chianti Colli Senesi wine regulations
Sangiovese: min 75% (5% higher)
Cabernet S/F: max 10% (5% lower)
White grapes are not allowed as of the 2016 vintage
Describe Chianti Superiore wine regulations
Lower yields
Min 12% abv
Released after Sep 1 V+1
T or F? Chianti Classico is NOT a subzone of Chianti
True: both are independent appellations
Name and locate the smallest but most prestigious Chianti subzone
Chianti Rufina: north east of Chianti Classico at the foothills of the Northern Apennines; crossed by the Sieve River which forms Valdisieve (Sieve Valley)
Colli Rufina has its own consorzio
T or F? Vin Santo del Chianti DOC covers the same area as the Chianti DOCG
True: white wine based on Trebbiano and/or Malvasia and the pink Occhio di Pernice wine based on Sangiovese
What is the aging requirement for Vin Santo del Chianti DOCG?
min 48; each sub-zone can use its own designation
T or F? The Etruscans were the first to settle on the San Gimignano hilltop
True; the town looks as it did in the 1100s-1200s AD
Name the only white DOCG in Toscana
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
1966: first DOC in Italy
1993: DOCG with stricter production standards
T or F? Vernaccia di San Gimignano was traditionally fermented as if it were a red grape
True: since the 1980s, clean, light, fresh; since the 1990s, elegant, expressive, and mineral
Describe San Gimignano
Overlaps the NW part of Chianti Colli Senesi
Hills average 650-1300 feet
Rain in spring and late autumn, annual average 27 inches
Vernaccia di San Gimignano: min 85% (many are 100%)
Riserva: min 12.5% abv, min 11/3 total/bottle age
3 Styles: unoaked and fruity; rich (due to small barrel fermentation and aging); elegant, flinty, and restrained
Name the eastern appellations of Toscana
Cortona: Etruscan city since 8th century BC; on border with Umbria and Lake Trasimeno; continental climate with Mediterranean influence; sandstone, marl, schist, fluvial deposits (clays and sands)
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: Sangiovese and/or Malvasia Nera
Riserva: 24/12/4 (total/oak/bottle)
Name the 2 appellations of southern Toscana
Montalcino: 25 miles south of Siena; quality wine since 1500s
Montepulciano: east of Montalcino; renowned wine since middle ages
Name the rivers that surround Montalcino
Asso (east), Orcia (south), Ombrone (west and north)
Name the sub-zones of Montalcino
There are no official sub-zones but Sangiovese expresses itself differently in 6 areas named after hamlets
Torrenieri: leaner wines with firmer tannins
Tavernelle: great depth, complexity, and longevity
Camigliano: more power/concentration, less acidity/complexity
Castelnuovo dell'Abate: some of the most distinctive Brunellos
Sant'Angelo in Colle: structured, powerful, but refined
Sant'Angelo Scalo: more approachable, fuller-bodied, higher alcohol, less complex, lower acidity
Define Via Francigena
Road that bisects Toscana from Liguria to Lazio
Name 3 innovations Clemente Santi was responsible for
Brunello was one of the main grapes he cultivated
Monoculture (vines)
Longer maceration and fermentation times for red wines
Grandson was Ferrucio Biondi (Biondi-Santi winery)
What was the first documented appearance of Brunello on a wine label?
1869: "Vino rosso scelto (brunello) 1865 vintage" won a silver medal at the agrigultural fair of Montepulciano
What is Ferruccio Biondi known for?
Took over Greppo estate in 1885
Identified best (fruit quality and disease resistance) Brunello vines and used cuttings for massal selection
Destemmed the grapes to avoid astringent tannins
Used large Slavonian oak casks when ageing wines for a long time
Sold his red wines as "Brunello" in the late 1880s
His son was named Tancredi
What is Tancredi Biondi known for?
Took over Greppo estate in the 1920s
When phylloxera destroyed most vineyards in Montalcino in the late 1920s he formed a cooperative named "Cantina Sociale Biondi Santi e C." which remained active until 1944
When did Brunello di Montalcino become a DOC/G?
DOC in 1966: disciplinare based on practices adopted by Tancredi Bondi-Santi
DOCG in 1980: this increased its prestige and by early 1990s demand exceeded supply so more Sangiovese was planted
Expanded/heterogeneous zone of production resulted in variations in wine style
2007-2008-2009: Brunellogate (Brunellopoli) - 7 producers committed fraud and were fined and wines declassified to IGT
Due to the fraud, a vote to change the no blending rule was held but 96% of producers voted against the change so it's still 100% Sangiovese
Describe the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
100% Sangiovese
Total/oak/bottle age: 48/24/4 months (ERD Jan 1 V+5)
Riserva: 60/24/6 (ERD Jan 1 V+6)
Describe the Rosso di Montalcino DOCG
Second wine; fruitier and more approachable than Brunello
May declassify Brunello to Rosso di Montalcino
100% Sangiovese
ERD Sep 1 V+1
No mandatory oak ageing
T or F? Montepulciano declined in the 1800s and by 1900 its ancient reputation was forgotten
True: popularity of Chianti and Piemonte wines contributed to its decline; elevation to DOCG in 1980 led to a new generation of producers who improved vini/viti practices which revived its reputation
What is Adamo Fanetti known for?
Acclaim for his Vino Nobile di Montepulciano at the 1933 Siena wine fair; this kept the name Montepulciano alive
Name the 2 sub-areas of Montepulciano
West: hills around Montepulciano (town)
East: hills around Valiano (hamlet)
Is Montepulciano or Montalcino cooler?
The climate of Montepulciano is more continental with slightly cooler average temperatures than Montalcino
T or F? Sandy soils are characteristic of Montepulciano
True: sandy soils are more prevalent on sites at higher altitude; soils are also more homogeneous than Chianti Classico or Montalcino
Describe the wine regulations of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Prugnolo Gentile: min 70%; max 30% can be any other authorized grape in Toscana; white grapes max 5%
In practice: 80-90% Prugnolo Gentile plus Canaiolo, Colorino, Mammolo, Merlot
Min 12.5% abv
Total-wood: min 24/12
Riserva: min 13% abv, total/wood/age: 36/12/6
Describe the wine regulations of Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
Min 70%: Malvasia and/or Trebbiano and/or Grechetto Bianco (aka Pulcinculo)
Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice: based on Prugnolo Gentile
Describe the wine regulations of Rosso di Montepulciano
Same blending rules as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano with ERD Mar 1 V+1
Second wine of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (softer and more youthful)
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano may be declassified as Rosso di Montepulciano
T or F? Rosso and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines are made with the Montepulciano grape
False: They are based on Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese)
Do not confuse these wines with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
T or F? The grape Montepulciano is related to the town of Montepulciano
False: the grape is widely planted in Abruzzo and March but has no relationship with the town of Montepulciano
What protects the Montalcino growing area from bad weather?
a) Lake Trasimeno
b) The Maremma
c) The Island of Elba
d) Mt Amiata
d) Mt Amiata
The Carmignano winegrowing area is almost entirely overlapped by which appellation?
Chianti Montalbano
What is the signature grape of Cortona?
Syrah
In which Tuscan winegrowing area were Cabernet grapes first planted?
Carmignano
Which area in Tuscano does not have galestro soils?
Scansano
T or F? San Gimignano is within the boundaries of Chianti and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
True
T or F? Cortona was a powerful Roman city
False: Cortona was a powerful Etruscan city in the 8th century BC (700s BC)
Name some appellations in Toscano with MGAs
Ansonica Costa dell'Argentario DOC: Isola del Giglio MGA
Sovana DOC: 72 MGAs
Bianco di Pitigliano DOC: 68 MGAs
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG: 25 MGAs
What is the difference between Aleatico and Aglianico grapes?
Aleatico: red grape native to Toscano; also grown in Lazio and Puglia; related to Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains); known for sweet aromatic red wine
Aglianico: red grape native to Campania; also grown in Basilicata; high acid, high tannin, prominent minerality; one of Italy's 3 greatest grape varieties
Name three appellations with "second wines"
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG: Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG: Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Carmignano DOCG: Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC
Name the main native/traditional grapes of Toscana
White: Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vermentino, Ansonica (Inzolia)
