17. Southern Italy

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

• Warm Mediterranean
• Limestone and clay in the hills, volcanic and sandy soils, alluvial (flat plain)

Question 2

Campania

Answer 2

o Aglianico, Falanghina, Barbera (local consumption), Malvasia,Sangiovese (local consumption), Greco, Fiano, Piedirosso

o Greco di Tufo DOCG, Fiano di Avelino DOCG, Taurasi DOCG (reds from Aglianico), Campi Flegrei (Falanghina and Piedirosso), Vesuvio (Coda di Volpe and Piedirosso)

o From early drinking, high-volume (most wines) to small batches of mid to premium-priced wines

Question 3

Basilicata

Answer 3

o Most wines are IGT or simple wine -> inexpensive, high-volume
o Aglianico del Vulture DOC and Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG -> 100% Aglianico, small batches

Question 4

Puglia

Answer 4

o Hot Mediterranean
o Less than 10% is PDO -> 60% is simply “wine”
o Grapes for bulk wines -> Sangiovese, Montepulciano and two forms of Trebbiano
o black grapes of region: Primitivo, Negroamaro, Nero di Troia

Primitivo di Manduria DOC
§ Min 85% Primitivo
§ Early-drinking (most) to premium (small batches)

Gioia del Colle DOC (cooler)
§ 50–60% Primitivo
§ Early-drinking (most) to premium (small batches)

Salice Salentino DOC
§ Min 75% Negroamaro, varietal is min 90%
§ Inexpensive to mid-priced

Castel del Monte DOC and Castel del Monte DOCG
§ Min 90% Nero di Troia if varietal
§ Mid to premium-priced

Question 5

Sicily

Answer 5

Catarratto, Grillo and Inzolia -> local white grape for inexp dry whites and Marsala (fortified)

Muscat of Alexandria -> Zibibbo
§ dry, late harvest and passito

Nero d’Avola -> most planted black
§ Early drinking (most) to small batches of premium
§ Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG -> 50–70% Nero d’Avola and 30–50% Frappato

Nerello Mascalese
§ Grown for volume wine production often at high yields
§ On Etna (400-1,000m) -> highly regarded
* Small batches -> premium to super-premium

Carricante -> main part of the blend in Etna Bianco DOC
§ Very good to out and mid to prem-priced

Question 6

Sardinia

Answer 6

o Cannonau (Grenache Noir), Vermentino, Carignano, Monica Nera and Nuragus

o Cannonau di Sardegna DOC -> covers all island, early-drinking (inexpensive) to mid-priced

o Vermentino di Sardegna DOC -> covers all island, early-drinking (inexpensive) to mid-priced

o Vermentino di Gallura DOCG -> mid to prem-priced

o Carignano del Sulcis DOC -> sandy soils, bush vines, early-drinking (inexp) to small batches (prem)