NAVIGATING AN ITALIAN WINE LIST

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1 NAVIGATING AN ITALIAN WINE LIST Taking the Helm: How to Order Italian Wines with Confidence While you may be comfortable with navigating an American wine list replete with Sonoma Chardonnays and Napa Cabernets, it s easy to feel a bit lost when it comes to ordering Italian wines. With over 350 official wine varietals, 20 wine growing regions and a plethora of legal wine classifications, Italy can be one of the most challenging wine regions to master. Mantieni la calma, as we say in Italy. Stay calm. All it takes is mastering a few key points.

2 PRINCIPAL WINE REGIONS OF Though there are many wine regions in Italy, most Italian wines found on U.S. wine lists come from five areas: Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Friuli (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), Veneto and Piemonte. Italy s most famous region is Tuscany, located in the central part of the country. It is in Tuscany, and only in Tuscany, that Chianti wines are made. Both the wines themselves, along with the district in which the grapes are grown, are called Chianti. Sangiovese, the principal grape variety used in Chiantis, results in very dry, medium-bodied wine with moderate tannins that is renowned for its lovely, tart-cherry flavor. Once produced as merely pleasant wines to be enjoyed with a meal, today s Chiantis in particular Chianti Classico wineswhich includes three quality classifications rank among the world s finest reds. Chianti DOCG Chianti is the broadest of all Chianti designations. Wines labeled as Chianti are made from a blend of grapes from several regions in the Chianti appellation. Chianti wines must be made from at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. They are fruit forward, soft, easy drinking wines. RUFFINO CHIANTI DOCG CHIANTI CLASSICO CHIANTI Chianti Superiore DOCG Chianti Superiore wines are made from grapes grown within the Chianti region, but produced to the higher quality standards of Chianti DOCG. The concentration of flavor is greater, and the alcohol content is higher. This blend must also contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. This wine has a bit more backbone, and tends to be more medium bodied with slightly softer tannins. RUFFINO CHIANTI SUPERIORE DOCG

3 Chianti Classico DOCG Chianti Classico is a sub-region in Chianti representing Tuscany s literal, historical and figurative heart. Cosimo III de Medici officially defined its precise boundaries in 1716, and the government reaffirmed those boundaries in In general, this area is higher in elevation than the broader Chianti region and has a unique rocky soil, called Galestro, which allows for richer and more concentrated flavors. Wines from this exalted region, must be made from at least 80%Sangiovese grapes. Chianti Classicos are fuller bodied, well balanced wines that are aged longer than Chiantis and Chianti Superiores, adding finesse to both the aromas and the flavors. RUFFINO AZIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG RUFFINO SANTEDAME CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Chianti Classico Riserva (Reserve) is made from exceptional grapes in the Chianti Classico region and produced to even more stringent production codes. Chianti Classico Riserva wines are aged a minimum of two years in oak and three months in bottle. Not surprisingly, they are richer, more complex, and higher in tannins. Because of the alcohol level required of Chianti Classico Riservas, they are often more age-worthy than standard Chianti Classico. RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA DOCG

4 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG CHIANTI CLASSICO CHIANTI MONTEPULCIANO Tuscany s noble wine comes from vineyards near the town of Montepulciano in Southeastern Tuscany and is one of the oldest wines of Italy. It is composed primarily of Sangiovese grape, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile, which does especially well in the clay vineyards of this region. These rare and sought-after wines are round, elegant and velvety, similar to Chianti but somewhat fuller. They offer smooth, ripe tannins, a fruity core and notes of plum and tobacco. Stylistically, it is said Vino Nobile di Montepulciano combines the richness of Brunello di Montalcino with the perfume of Chianti Classico. Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG Brunello di Montalcino DOCG CHIANTI CLASSICO CHIANTI MONTALCIANO Brunello is thought to be Tuscany s boldest expression of Sangiovese. With the region s warmest and driest climate, this wine is made from 100% Sangiovese Grosso, a larger and thicker skinned variety of the Sangiovese grape. Brunellos are some of Italy s most famous and most expensive wines. They are lush and full bodied with beautiful richness, intensity and complexity of flavors. It has fine tannins, a vibrant texture, abundant fruit, with balsamic notes along with hints of nuts and chocolate. Brunello is released five years after the harvest. Ruffino Greppone Mazzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

5 Super Tuscans The term Super Tuscan applies to a group of Tuscan wines produced using grape varieties not unique or indigenous to Tuscany, and those that fall out of the strict production rules of the region. Often, these wines are a blend of Tuscan varietals like Sangiovese with French grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrahor Cabernet Franc. Many Super Tuscans use non-traditional winemaking techniques including aging the wine in smaller oak barrels. Most Super Tuscans are red, but there are some white Super Tuscans as well. These wines are generally, but not always classified as Indicazione Geografica Tipica or IGT signifying wines of wines produced in the region of Tuscany. Since this classification is not as regulated as other areas, it is not a guarantee of quality and it is important to understand a certain producer s style. Super-Tuscan wines can range in style from Chianti-like wines to Bordeaux- or California Cabernet-style wines, depending on the varying amounts of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other grape varieties used in the blend. Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana IGT Ruffino Romitorio di Santedame Toscana IGT UMBRIA Bordering Tuscany, Umbria is Italy s only region without access to either the sea or international borders. In this secluded part of the country, the most coveted white wines come from the Orvieto Classico sub-region near the town of Orvieto. These wines are poetically called the sun of Italy in a bottle. Orvieto Classicos are a blend of white grape types including Gretchetto and other indigenous varieties. Orvieto wines are renowned for their delicate freshness and beautifully integrated fruit and white floral flavors. UMBRIA Ruffino Orvieto Classico DOC

6 FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA This region in northeast Italy, borders Austria and is flanked by the beautiful Dolomite Mountains. It is known primarily for high quality white wines most notably some of the highest quality Pinot Grigios in Italy. In general they are medium bodied, crisp wines with delicate peach, almond and green apple flavors. FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA This region alongside the Veneto is home to the famous Prosecco DOC producing fresh flavorful Italian sparkling wines, typically in an off-dry style. These wines are made using the Charmat method which encourages a fresher more vibrant flavor profile. Prosecco is meant to be enjoyed young, and works well as an aperitif or with lighter foods. Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT Ruffino Prosecco DOC VENETO Located in northeastern Italy, this region is most noted for three classic wine styles including Soave, a dry white wine made in a rich fruity style, Valpolicella, a light fragrant red and Amarone, a rich high alcohol red wine made from partially dried grapes. VENETO Soave is divided into two main designated categories Soave Classico DOC and Soave Superiore DOCG. Both styles require a minimum 70% of the Garganega grape. Soave Classico DOC is grown on hillsides in the original designated region and is has a more refined and long lived style. Soave Superiore DOCG is grown on the hotter valley floor resulting in stronger fruit concentration and higher in alcohol with a minimum of 11.5% required by the DOCG. Both Valpolicella and Amarone are red blends made primarily from the Corvina grape. Valpolicella is a light fragrant table wine made in a nouveau style released a few weeks after harvest. To make Amarone, the grapes are partially dried grapes before fermentation concentrating the sugars. Amarone s are ripe, raisiny, full-bodied wines with high alcohol content easily surpassing 15%.

7 PIEMONTE Located in the north west of Italy at the foothills of the Alps, this region is the largest classified producing wine region in Italy. It is most known for its sweet semisparkling wines and for its high quality red wines, Barolo, Barbaresco and Barbera. PIEDMONTE This region produces both Asti Spumante and Moscato D Asti DOCG. Although both semi sparkling wines are made from the Moscato grape, the latter is of DOCG status and has a much higher quality level. By law Moscato D Asti is made in a frizzante or slightly sparkling style with lower alcohol, no more than 5% and is sweeter. Asti Spumante tends to be a bit more commercial, with more prominent bubbles, a slightly higher in alcohol content, typically around 9%, and drier flavor profile. Asti Spumante is also more crisp and lighter bodied than its more powerful cousin. Similar to Prosecco both are made in the Charmat method to ensure fresh vibrant flavor profiles. Piemonte s red wines are some of the most long-lived wines of Italy. Barolo is a big tannic expression of the Nebbiolo grape which can age years before hitting their peak. As the wine matures the color becomes more brownish and rust-red. Barbaresco wines are made less than 10 miles away but are affected by a maritime influence creating a more elegant and approachable wine that can be drunk younger. This region also produces wines from the Barbera grape is the most widely planted variety in all of the Piedmont and makes a juicy, muscular red wine that is not as tannic as Barolo and Barbaresco. Ruffino Moscato d Asti DOCG