TUSCANY Class 2 Packet: Worksheet

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1 TUSCANY Class 2 Packet: Worksheet 1. The traditional Chianti blend included this number of grapes;. 2. Chianti is made from grapes grown outside a single subregion. 3. In addition to being designated a DOCG itself, the Chianti zone contains this number of DOCGs:. 4. Name three of those DOCGs:,,. 5. Situated just south of Florence, is Chianti s original growing area. 6. is the collective name for the six zones surrounding the area named in Question Chianti Rufina is a lean, elegant wine noted for its aroma. 8. In addition to Galestro soils, Sangiovese grows well on, a limestone soil that reflects light into the vines. 9. The Chianti DOCG allows up to % white grapes; the Chianti Classico DOCG allows only up to %. 10. Chianti Classico s topography is quite hilly; many of the best wines come from the sunny -facing slopes. 11. Compared to the rest of Tuscany, the temperatures in Chianti are. 12. The two warmer areas within Chianti Classico are around the villages of and. Their wines tend to be relatively -bodied. 13. Tuscany s most famous and age-worthy traditional wines are Brunello di. 14. If you compared the color intensity of Tuscany s Sangiovese-based wines, the wine in Question 13 would be the in color. 1

2 15. Write in the minimum months of maturation required before release for each of the following wines: Wine designation in wood in bottle total Rosso di Montalcino Brunello di Montalcino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOC DOCG DOCG 16. Name three factors that affect Montalcino s climate:,,. 17. The southern areas of Montalcino are lower in altitude and warmer; the wines tend to have levels of alcohol and bodies. 2

3 TUSCANY Class 2 Packet: Worksheet Answers Normale Chianti Classico, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Aretini, Colline Pisane, Colli Senesi, Montalbano, Chianti Rufina 5. Chianti Classico 6. Chianti Putto 7. Perfumed, aromatic 8. Albarese 9. Chianti DOCG allows up to 10%: Chianti Classico allows up to 6% 10. South-facing slopes 11. Cooler 12. Panzano and Castelnuovo Berardenga; full-bodied 13. Montalcino 14. Darkest 15. See the grid below for months of aging required. Wine designation min wood min bottle for sale Rosso di Montalcino DOC September 1st of year Brunello di Montalcino DOC 2 years 4 months 5 years Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2 years 6 months 6 years 16. Location, Altitude, Vineyard Exposure/Aspect, Diurnal Temperature Change 17. Higher levels of alcohol; Fuller or bigger bodies 3

4 TUSCANY Class 2 Packet: Study Guide CHIANTI OVERVIEW History 1880s - traditional Chianti blend of thirteen grapes formulated, including: - Reds: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Mammolo, Colorino, Ciliegiolo - Whites: Malvasia and Trebbiano 1970s - poor quality wines resulting from: - Mass production - Poor clones - Massive vineyard expansion beyond the original Chianti sites (which now account for only about 40% of modern-day Chianti) - Government subsidies - Increased proportion of easy-to-grow but low-quality Malvasia/Trebbiano in blend Past 20 years attention to the vineyard dramatically improves wine quality Key Areas, Key Wines Wine labeled "Chianti" can come from anywhere in Chianti Weightier blends of same varieties from Chianti Classico, Chianti Rufina, Colli Fiorentini Riservas: fuller-bodied wines aged for a minimum of two years, three months Chianti DOCGs The entire zone of Chianti may use the DOCG appellation Chianti without a sub-region called Chianti Normale Chianti contains another seven DOCGs: Chianti Classico - Chianti's original growing area Chianti Putto is the collective name for the six zones surrounding Chianti Classico: - Colli Fiorentini - Colli Aretini - Colline Pisane - Colli Senesi - Montalbano - Rufina 4

5 Climate and Geography Blend of Mediterranean and Continental climates Soils for Sangiovese: - Galestro = shaly clay (Chianti Classico) - Albarese = limestone -- reflects light to ripen grapes (Rufina) Increasing Quality and the Chianti Blend Decreased use of whites Replanting in higher altitude vineyards and limiting yields Wines have added layers of complexity, concentration and power CHIANTI CLASSICO About 19 million cases of wine a year Approximately 17,200 acres of vineyards Best wines usually from vineyards on southern slopes with greatest sun exposure Vineyard location is less important in truly outstanding vintages Top Villages Best wines from villages of Panzano and Castelnuovo Berardenga - Richer wines due to better grapes from better soils and warmer climates Other good areas in Chianti Classico around towns of Castellina, Gaiole and Greve 5

6 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Some of Tuscany s most age-worthy reds 100% Sangiovese Darkest of the Sangiovese-based wines Brunello was the local name for Sangiovese Brunello is also a Sangiovese clone that has big berries and thick skins Includes Sangiovese clones such as Sangioveto and Prungnolo Gentile Regulations Awarded DOCG in 1980 Maturation requirements decreased to make wine more accessible NeedV to spend at least 2 years in oak ZLWK 4 months in the bottle DQG LV UHDG\ WR EH VROG \HDUV after the harvest year. Riserva also needs to spend at least 2 years in oak but it needs 6 months in the bottle and is ready to be sold 6 years after the harvest year. The Wine Traditionally big and tannic, drinkable after 10 years Still age-worthy, but now more balanced Rosso di Montalcino DOC since 1984 Lighter-bodied, simpler, fruit-focused wine from vineyards surrounding Montalcino Outlet for grapes not chosen for DOCG bottlings Aged only a year in wood Offers value and early drinking - should be drunk within five years of release Top Rosso producers same as top Brunello producers Climate and Geography Climate is key to character and quality Dry heat promotes full ripening and gives fuller, riper grapes for bigger bodied wines Altitude - Vineyards in north/higher altitudes = cooler temps = elegant wines, good acidity - Vineyards in south/lower altitudes = warmer temps = bigger wines, riper flavors Aspect - Majority of vineyards are on hillsides - can face north, south, east or west - Southern side is warmest - gives riper grapes and more concentrated wines - Northern side is coolest, less sun/ripening - gives finer and more perfumed wines - Some vineyard owners blend southern and northern side wines for complexity Diurnal temperature change - day to night temp change - big effect on structure - Up to 20 degrees F temperature change from day to night - Vines grow vigorously during the day, then rest at night 6

Chianti Colli Senesi. Tuscany.

Chianti Colli Senesi. Tuscany. Chianti Colli Senesi Appellation: CHIANTI COLLI SENESI DOCG Cru: n/a Vineyard extension (hectares): 5.2 Blend: 100% Sangiovese Vineyard age (year of planting): Sangiovese 1973,1999,2005 Soil Type: Medium