Wine Tasting @長榮桂冠 2010/3/26

Tuscany!!

未成年請勿飲酒

Tuscany is one of the most important wine regions in Italy, and it is renowned by Chianti and "Super Tuscany" wines. Chianti is the region between Siena and Florence, and its major grape varieties are: Sangiovese (red), Canaiolo (red), Tribbiano (white) and Malvasia (white).

Sangiovese is the most important variety in Tuscany, and it usually brings rich flavors and aromas, such as strawberry, black berry, black currant, plum, pepper, spices (clove), coffee, chocolate, leather, earthy, tar.

Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino are made from Sangiovese. (Brunello is a mutation of Sangiovese).

The difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico is the percentage of Sangiovese. Chianti regularizes at least 75% Sangiovese, and 80% Sangiovese must be used in Chianti Classico.


BTW, if you saw a black rooster mark on the bottle, it means the bottle is Chianti Classico.

2007 Querciabella Chianti Classico DOCG


Winery is "Agricola Querciabella SpA".

95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Barreled for 14 months . Sangiovese are barreled in 30% new French oak barrels and 70% in 1-yr-old French barrels. Cabernet Sauvignon are 80% in new and 20% in old.

Ruby, but not very dark. Great acidity on the tip of the tongue. A little bit chocolate.

The most interesting thing is the flavors turn to raspberry and black cherry after 1 hour. But the raspberry flavor is so light that hard to perceive it after swirling.

2000/2002/2004 Crognolo IGT


Winey: Tenuta Sette Ponti. This winery is located at Arezzo, and the name "Sette Ponti" means the seven bridges on Arno river from Arezzo to Florence.

90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. 20 days fermentation, aging in French oak barrels for 14 months, and aging in bottles for 6 month before release.

2004 vintage: A little tart tannins show it's still young. Sweet flavor and tastes include vanilla and plum.

2002 vintage: dense body and smooth tannin. plums.

2000 vintage: I love this one most, because the coffee and caramel aromas. Sweet pickled plums. Full matured, smooth mouthfeel. However, I think it should be drunk as soon as possible, because the matured aromas are not so dense and disappear easily after swirling.

2003/2004 Camartina IGT

Winery is "Agricola Querciabella".

Typical "super Tuscany". 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Sangiovese.

Fermented in stainless tank, and aged in 80% new French oak barrels and 20% one-year-old barrels after malolactic fermentation. After one year aging, bottled for 6 months before release.

2003 vintage: brick hue. coffee, soil, grass, smoky, flower and anise.

2004 vintage: light raspberry, white pepper. young tannin.