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On the Tyrrhenian Coast of Italy, the region of Tuscany has become a byword for Italian culture. A famous artistic legacy and rich history match the natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside, unfolding in waves of golden and green hills that ebb and flow between the Apennine Mountains and the sea.
May I ask for some clarity about the Classico sub-zones?The compendium states that there are 8 sub-zones in the classico DOCG: Barberino and Tavarnelle being one. However the map shows, Tavarnelle val di pesa and Barberino val di pesa as seperate sub-zones.
Hey Mark! In regards to Nero d'Avola/Calabrese, D'Agata confirms the grape's Sicilian origins. He interprets calau avulisi as "down from Avola." The guide is updated to reflect that. For Zibbibio, it is the progeny of Moscato Bianco and Axina de Tres Bias. Axina de Tres Bias' home is the Greek islands and it is also grown in Sardegna. Though the first documented reference of the variety is in Sicily, there is not enough evidence to tie the grape's origins to the island. Greece, Southern Italy, and Sardegna all have strong claims as the home of the grape.
Hey Jonathan! In Chianti DOCG you are allowed up to 10% of white grape varieties. For the Chianti Classico DOCG the use of white grapes was discontinued in 2006.
Can we have the notes on Zibibbo and Nero d'Avola updated? The study guide here implies that Zibibbo is a non-native grape (first documented references to it on the Sicily under the Zibibbo name pre-date any references outside of Sicily by over 200 years, with the Muscat of Alexandria moniker only appearing in the 18th century vs the early 16th century Zibibbo) and the reference to Calabrese as being possibly of Calabrian origin ignores the etymology of the grape from old Sicilian Calau d'Avrisi or "Grape from the Avrisi Valley" (later, Avola).
From the Tuscany section of this study guide. "The addition of the white grapes Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia, a practice dating to the 1870s, is now optional rather than mandatory."
Can you still use white grapes in Chianti DOCG?