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UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Tuscany’s Top 10 Wine Trivia

April 23, 2015 by Deborah Mines Leave a Comment

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In many ways, Sangiovese is to Chianti as Cabernet Sauvignon is to Bordeaux. Both form the base of wines that blend beautifully with other varietals, yet alone, they share a distinctive elegance and complexity. To impress your fellow oenophiles at the next dinner party, read on:

  1. Tuscany has 9 DOCG appellations that date back to the Etruscans in the 8th century BC. Sangiovese, Tuscany’s most prominent grape, is derived from the Latin sanguis Jovis, which literally translates to the “blood of Jove”.   Sangiovese is the premier grape varietal in Italy, planted on over 247,000 acres with 14 separate and distinct clones. Sangiovese thrives in direct sunlight at altitudes of 500 to 1600 feet. The higher elevations increase the diurnal temperature variation, helping the grapes maintain their balance of sugars and acidity as well as their aromatic qualities. 3m26JPG
  1. The Chianti zone is the largest classified wine region and produces over eight million cases of wine each year. The region is split into two DOCGs – Chianti and Chianti Classico. The larger Chianti zone is further divided into eight DOC sub-zones and produces white, other Rosso reds and Vin Santo.
  1. To be considered a Chianti Classico, wines must be 75% to 100% Sangiovese and can contain up to 20% of international varietals such as Cabernet and Merlot. Chianti Classico covers approximately 100 square miles between Florence and Siena and includes the communes of Castellina, Gaiole, Greve and Radda and five other neighboring communes.   Chianti Classico is required to be aged for a minimum of three years.5mp30JPG
  1. All but one Tuscany DOCG is comprised of Sangiovese grapes.  Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG produces the only white grape called Vernaccia . Other white grapes planted in Tuscany are Trebbiano, Malvasia, Vermantino and Chardonnay and are frequently used in blending wines.
  1. Vin Santo, also known as “holy wine”, is made of Trebbiano which is harvested in late fall and air-dried on straw mats until the start of Holy Week before bottling. Vin Santo ages for 3 to 10 years in small barrels and is produced in small quantities. Vin Santo makes an excellent Italian dessert wine.

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Tuscany Wine Trail Tagged With: Bordeaux blend, Brunello, Brunello di Montalcino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Risivera, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan, Syrah, Vernaccia, Vin Santo

Montalcino Is Most Famous For Brunello

July 1, 2013 by Deborah Mines 2 Comments

Breathtaking vistas surround Montalcino
Breathtaking vistas surround Montalcino as Cipressi (Cypress trees) dot the hills.

One of the highlights of my Tuscany travels was visiting the medieval borgo of Montalcino.  Steeped in history that dates back to the Etruscan times, this hilltop village holds a lot of charm and is best known nowadays for the Brunello di Montalcino wine.

Montalcino is perched atop a hill that dates back to the Etruscan times.
Montalcino is perched atop a hill that dates back to the Etruscan times.

Only 5,300 people live in Montalcino, which sprawls from the centro district along the valley floor below Monte Amiata, a dormant volcano (last eruption was over 300,000 years ago).  Montalcino is a very picturesque area with vineyards lining the country roads and Abbadia di S’Antimo gracing the southern wine trail.

Gregorian monks chant daily at Abbadia di S'Antimo.
Gregorian monks chant daily at Abbadia di S’Antimo.

In centro Montalcino, enotecas (wine stores) are plentiful, all pouring the heavenly juice of Bacchus ~ aka Brunello di Montalcino.  So little time, and so many Brunellos! [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Tuscany Wine Trail Tagged With: Brunello, Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, Chianti wine trail, Sangiovese, Wine Tasting, Wine Tour

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