CHIANTI Chianti is a blend of several grapes with Sangiovese representing at least 75 percent or more of the blend. With more than 200 classified vineyards producing Chianti Classico alone, the range of tastes and styles possible in Chianti is virtually limitless. Yet all of the wines share the personality of Sangiovese – dry and crisp with cherry, blackberry and spice. Te most dis- tinctive character of the grape is the sweet/tart cherry- fruit flavor. Richness and intensity varies, as do the use of oak and the blends of other grapes, such as Ca- naiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon or the white Trebbiano or Malvasia. Chianti has seven distinct subzones: Chianti Classico, Chianti Aretini, Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Colli Senesi, Chianti Colline Pisane, Chianti Montalbano and Chianti Rufina. A wine made in any of these subzones may be labeled by the subzone name or simply as Chianti. Wines from Chianti Classico are considered to be of better quality and can usually be identified by a black rooster, or gallo nero, on the label. As of 2006, no white grapes are allowed in the blend of Chianti Classico.
MAREMMA Maremma is the hot spot of Tuscany. Located along the Tuscan coast, this is currently one of the world’s fastest growing wine-producing areas. Known for combining New World practices with thousands of years of wine culture, this region was nothing more than a salt marsh 50 years ago. Astounding wines like Sassicaia and Or- nellaia are made near the northern Maremma village of Bolgheri, where the wealthy, such as the family of Baron de Rothschild, are looking to invest. Different grape varietals are supported by the heat and coastal conditions, including the traditional Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, as well as the staple grape of Tuscany, Sangiovese. While the Maremma is popular for its concentrated Super Tuscan-style red wines, the traditional Sangiovese grape is used to pro- duce the light and fruity wine Morellino di Scansano.
MORELLINO DI SCANSANO Southeast of Grosseto, the Sangiovese grape takes on a different name: Morellino. Spicy, somewhat peppery, this is a full-bodied wine perfect for heavy meals. Sit- uated near the town of Scansano, the DOC-designat- ed zone grows a powerful and robust grape variety, producing the bold and full-flavored wine. Powerful enough to rival the robust wines of Piedmont.
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MARCHES Te Marches is a region in central Italy that borders the Adriatic Sea on the east and lies between Emilia-Romagna and Abruzzi. It contains 14 DOC areas that produce about 12 percent of the region’s total wine output. Te DOCs include Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno, Verdicchio dei Cas- telli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. Montepulciano and Sangiovese are the primary red grapes, and Malvasia, Treb- biano and Verdicchio are the main white varieties. Te most famous wine of this region is Verdicchio, traditionally sold in green amphora-shaped bottles. Te use of cold fermen- tation and stainless steel has become widespread among the premium producers of Verdicchio. Te two finest red wines of this region are Torgiano Riserva and Sagrantino di Montefalco, both having been awarded DOCG status.
UMBRIA Tis wine-producing region located in central Italy is bordered on the west by Tuscany and on the east by the Marches. Some of Italy’s most famous wines, like the whites from the Orvieto DOC, come from Umbria. Tere are 11 other DOCs in this hilly region, including Colli Altotiberini, Colli del Trasimeno, Colli Perugini, Montefalco and Torgiano. As in Tuscany, a fair amount of Vin Santo is made here. Umbria’s most popular grapes are Trebbiano, Grechetto and Malvasia for white wines and Sangiovese, Cilegiolo, Canaiolo and Sagrantino for red and rosé wines. Umbria has a topography and cli- mate similar to Tuscany, but without any maritime influ- ence. Historically, Umbria is known for its white wines from Orvieto. Te finest red wine produced in this re- gion is Torgiano, a DOC. Te riserva of Torgiano has been awarded a DOCG status. Te two finest red wines of this region are Torgiano Riserva and Sagrantino di Montefalco, both having been awarded DOCG status.
ABRUZZO Abruzzi (Abruzzo in Italian) is a very mountainous region located east of Rome on the Adriatic Sea about midway down the coastline. Te main grape variety used for white wines is Trebbiano, but there are a multitude of other white grapes allowed, including Bombino Bianco, Mal- vasia and Pinot Grigio. Montepulciano is the main grape for Rosso and Rosato, followed by Sangiovese. Tere are two main DOCs in this area: Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Te reds and whites of Abru- zzo are fantastic values and are produced in an everyday drinking style. In general, most of the red wines are fresh, lower in acidity, filled with fruit and light in tannins.
| Winter 2016 |
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