Because Sangiovese is a late ripener, where should it be planted and in which direction should the vineyard face? At what elevation are the better vineyards planted?

On slopes facing south or south-east. Planted 200-550m asl which helps grapes achieve full ripeness.

Sangiovese grows best on what types of soil? What other soil type does it grow just ok on?

Best on friable shale and limestone soils Does ok on clay

D3 - Tuscany for WSET® Level 4 D3 Wines of the World

What is the general climate of Tuscany?

Warm Mediterranean.

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What provides the cooling influence in inland Tuscany?

Altitude

(Apennines)

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When does most of the rain fall in Tuscany?

Autumn and winter.

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What are the climate hazards of Tuscany?

Spring frost (occasional)
Hail
Rain at harvest
Summer drought
Prolonged high temperatures in some years (which leads to incomplete ripening due to photosynthesis stopping)

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What is the main grape variety (of either color) grown in Tuscany?

Sangiovese

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Give a quick profile of wine made from Sangiovese.

Medium ruby
Red cherry/plum, herbal notes
Med-Full body
High Acid
High Tannin

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What is Sangiovese known as in Montepulciano?

Prugnolo Gentile

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In Tuscany, why is Sangiovese prone to late spring frosts and early autumn rain?

Because it buds early and ripens late.

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Because Sangiovese is a late ripener, where should it be planted and in which direction should the vineyard face?
At what elevation are the better vineyards planted?

On slopes facing south or south-east.
Planted 200-550m asl which helps grapes achieve full ripeness.

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Sangiovese grows best on what types of soil?
What other soil type does it grow just ok on?

Best on friable shale and limestone soils
Does ok on clay

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Select the correct answer:

Sangiovese is a:

a. non-vigorous variety so canopy management is not necessary
b. vigorous variety and its canopy needs to be managed regularly to avoid shading

b. Vigorous variety and its canopy need to be managed regularly to avoid shading.

Sangiovese can produce high yields so vignerons need to determine whether they want to go for quantity or quality.

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Sangiovese has thin or thick skins?

What is Sangiovese susceptible to?

Thin skins, susceptible to botrytis bunch rot.

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What is the main type of vine training seen in Tuscany?

Cordon trained and either spur- or cane-pruned with VSP.

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Fill in the blank:

Trebbiano Toscano is a white grape variety that buds ____.

Late

It’s not at risk to spring frosts!

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Select the correct answer:

Trebbiano Toscano is a variety that is:

a. Vigorous and high yielding
b. Vigorous and low yielding
c. Non-vigorous and high yielding
d. Non-vigorous and low yielding

a. Vigorous and high yielding

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Why does Trebbiano Toscano perform so well in Tuscany?

It grows and ripens well in sun and heat while retaining acidity.

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In Tuscany these days, what is the typical maceration time for Sangiovese meant for early consumption?

And for Sangiovese meant for bottle aging?

7-10 days of maceration for early consumption (medium tannins)
15-25 days of maceration for age-worthy wines (high tannins)

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Chianti DOCG requires a minimum range of what percent Sangiovese?

70-100%

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Fill in the blank:

Chianti DOCG does not allow Cabernet Sauvignon or Cabernet Franc to be more than ___% of the blend.

15%

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Which of the following statements is true?

Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti DOCG.
Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti Classico DOCG.

Today, white grapes are still allowed in Chianti DOCG.

Though they are rarely used.

Note that no white grapes are allowed in Chianti CLASSICO.

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What is the maximum percent of white grapes allowed in Chianti DOCG?

10%

It’s usually Trebbiano Toscano.

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Fill in the blanks:

The minimum abv in Chianti DOCG is ___%.

The minimum abv in the Chianti subzones is ___%.

Chianti DOCG: 11.5% minimum

Chianti subzones: 12% minimum

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Fill in the blank:

The maximum permitted yield in Chianti DOCG is ___ hL/ha.

63 hL/ha

(moderately high)

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When can Chianti DOCG be released to market?

The March following harvest.

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Is oak aging required for Chianti DOCG or Chianti DOCG Riserva?

What is the minimum aging requirement for Chianti DOCG Riserva?

2 years

Name 3 Chianti subzones you should know for the exam.

1. Chianti **Colli Fiorentini** DOCG 2. Chianti **Colli Senesi** DOCG 3. Chianti **Rufina** DOCG

# Fill in the blank: The maximum permitted yield in the seven Chianti subzones is \_\_\_ hL/ha.

56 hL/ha

# Fill in the blank: Riserva-level wines from Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Senesi, and Chianti Rufina must spend at least \_\_\_ months in oak.

6 months

* Which of the seven Chianti subzones is the coolest? * What makes it cool?

* Chianti **Rufina** DOCG * Elevation and cool Apennine downdrafts (result in higher acid)

Which of the seven Chianti subzones is seen as the warmest?

Chianti **Colli Senesi** DOCG is the warmest.

# Fill in the blanks: Chianti **Colli Senesi** requires a minimum of \_\_\_% Sangiovese and a maximum of \_\_\_% of either Cabernet in the blend.

Minimum 75% Sangiovese Maximum 10% of either Cabernet

The best Chianti Classico wines come from vineyards planted at this elevation range.

200-500m asl

What does the elevation of Chianti Classico (cool nights) contribute to the wines?

* Longer growing season, promoting full ripeness * Higher acidity

What are the 3 soils found in Chianti Classico?

1. Schistous, crumbly rock with clay and marl (known as *galestro*) 3. Calcareous soils with clay (known as *alberese*) 4. Sandstone and sandy soils ## Footnote All combined = good drainage with sufficient water holding capacity.

# Fill in the blank: Chianti Classico must be a minimum \_\_\_% Sangiovese.

80%

What are the maximum yields for Chianti Classico?

52.5 hl/ha

# Fill in the blanks: When is the soonest Chianti Classico can be released? The Riserva category must be aged for \_\_\_ years from \_\_\_ after the harvest.

* Chianti Classico – Oct 1 the year after harvest * Riserva – 2 years from the Jan 1st after harvest

In what year was the designation Chianti Classico Gran Selezione introduced?

2013

What are the regulations around Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?

* Grapes must come from a **single vineyard or an estate owned by the producer**. * Wine must be **aged a minimum of 30 mos** (no requirement to age in wood). * From 2021, the wines must be a **minimum 90% Sangiovese** and international grape varieties are no longer allowed. * If the grapes were grown **within one of the 11 UGAs**, producers can put the **UGA** on the label.

Brunello di Montalcino is in the **northern or southern part** of Tuscany?

Southern

What are the environmental factors that contribute to Brunello di Montalcino being ripe with full body and high alcohol + acidity?

* Warmer + drier than Chianti * Protected from rain by Monte Amiata * Does get some cooling Mediterranean breezes at night which help retain acidity

Elevation and soils vary in Brunello di Montalcino. In the appellation, where are the vineyards in the longest established growing area and what are its soils?

Historic area – **just south of the town of Montalcino** at **\>500m asl with more clay soils**.

# Fill in the blank: The northern part of Montalcino has more galestro-based soils with higher elevations leading to Brunello wines that are more \_\_\_\_\_\_.

Aromatic

# Fill in the blank: The southern part of Montalcino, which is lower and warmer (and has more clay in its soils), typically produces Brunello wines that are \_\_\_\_ bodied.

Fuller

# Fill in the blank: The maximum yield for Brunello di Montalcino is \_\_\_ hl/ha.

54 hl/ha

When is the earliest Brunello di Montalcino can be **released**? How much time must it spend in wood?

* Brunello may not be released until **1 January four years after harvest** * Aging must include **2 years in oak containers** | see p.274 of D3 ## Footnote In other words, Brunello is sent to market 5 years after its harvest date

When is the earliest Brunello di Montalcino Riserva can be **released**? How much time must it spend **in wood**?

* Brunello Riserva may not be released until **1 January five years after harvest** * Aging must include a minimum of **2 years in oak** | see p.274 of D3 ## Footnote In other words, Brunello Riserva is sent to market 6 years after its harvest date

# Fill in the blank: Both Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino must be \_\_\_ % Sangiovese.

100% ## Footnote Rosso di Montalcino is often made from young vines or from less promising sites

What are the exposures and elevations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

* East/southeast * 250-600m asl

What are the 2 main soils of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and what kind of wines do they produce?

1. **Heavy, cool clay** (producing fuller bodied wines) 2. **Sand** (more aromatic wines)

# Fill in the blank: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must be made from \_\_\_\_% Sangiovese.

70 - 100%

_Vino Nobile di Montepulciano_ 1. What is its maximum yield? 2. What are its aging requirements?

1. 56 hl/ha 2. 2 years from Jan 1 the year after harvest, with 12-24 mos in wood

What is the aging requirement for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva?

3 years from Jan 1 the year after harvest, with 12-24 mos in wood.

_Morellino di Scansano_ 1. What is its elevation? 2. What is its maximum yield? 3. It must be a minimum \_\_\_% Sangiovese.

1. 250m asl 2. 63 hl/ha 3. 85%

Bolgheri DOC focuses on what kind of grape varieties?

Bordeaux grape varietals.

# Fill in the blank: Bolgheri is a warm appellation, and grapes are planted at a variety of elevations. Grapes have no trouble ripening here. What helps the grapes in Bolgheri retain their acidity is their proximity to the \_\_\_\_ .

Sea

What grape dominates the blends in Bolgheri DOC?

Cabernet Sauvignon

# Fill in the blanks: Bolgheri DOC regulations allow up to \_\_\_% of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot; and up to \_\_\_% of Syrah and Sangiovese; and up to \_\_\_% of other varieties.

* 100% CS, CF, Merlot * 50% Syrah, Sangiovese * 30% other

# Fill in the blanks: Bolgheri Rosso's max yield is \_\_\_ hl/ha. Bolgheri Rosso Superiore's max yield is \_\_\_ hl/ha.

* Bolgheri Rosso – 63 hl/ha * Bolgheri Rosso Superiore – 56 hl/ha

Bolgheri Sassicaia DOC is a separate DOC for this single estate.

Tenuta San Guido

Maremma Toscana DOC makes a wide range of wines with high yields. What are the main grapes grown here and what are the yields?

* Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino * 77 hl/ha (moderately high)

What are the two grapes allowed to be blended into Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG, and what is the maximum?

Sauvignon Blanc + Riesling (max 10%)

When can Rosso di Montepulciano be released?

March 1 the year after harvest.

The Consorzio of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will soon introduce a new, higher quality, category from defined zones within the appellation. What are the regulations surrounding this new category?

* Wines must be minimum 85% Sangiovese * Cannot include international varieties * If the grapes were grown within one of the 12 *pieve* (defined zone), that *pieve* may be used on the label

This grape is the most planted of any color in Italy as of 2022.

Sangiovese ## Footnote roughly 65,000ha (see p.225 for chart)

D3 - Tuscany Flashcards

(66 cards)