19. Southern Italy Flashcards
For what four varieties is Campania known?
Falanghina
Greco
Fiano
Aglianico
Piedirosso
What is Campania’s climate?
Warm Mediterranean
Where does the cooling influence come from for Campania’s inland vineyards?
Inland vines are planted on slopes up to 600 m altitude, providing a cooling influence
What are the soils of the hillside DOCGs of Campania?
Limestone and clay
What are the soils of Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC?
Volcanic and sandy soils
From which varieties is Campi Flegrei DOC mostly made?
Falanghina (white)
Piedirosso (rose and red)
From which varieties is Vesuvio DOC mostly made?
Coda di Volpe (white)
Piedirosso (red)
What is the most grown variety in Campania?
Aglianico
What is the most grown white variety in Campania?
Falanghina
What is the largest DOC for Falanghina del Sannio?
Falanghina del Sannio
When does Falanghina ripen?
Mid-to-late ripening
Why is Greco a challenging grape to grow? (4)
It is prone to:
1) Grey rot
2) Both mildews
3) Has low vigour
4) Low productivity
Why is Greco attracting interest in countries with warming climates and water restrictions?
It is a heat-tolerant and drought resistant
variety
When does Fiano ripen?
Late
Why can Fiano resist botrytis even though it is late ripening?
It has thick skins
What disease pressures is Fiano prone to?
Both mildews
What are three vineyard characteristics of Aglianico?
Early budding
Late ripening
Vigorous
What is Aglianico prone to?
Botrytis
What is Campania’s most important denomination for Aglianico?
Taurasi DOCG
Taurasi DOCG must be a minimum what per cent Aglianico?
85%
What are Taurasi DOCG’s ageing requirements?
Three years of ageing, a minimum of one of which must be in wood
What are the two main uses for Piedirosso in Campania?
1) To make early-drinking, varietal wines
2) To soften Aglianico-based wines where it adds perfume and freshness
What are two province-wide DOCs in Campania?
1) Irpinia DOC for the province of Avellino
2) Sannio DOC for the province of Benevento
What is the most planted variety in Basilicata?
Aglianico
What is the principal denomination of Basilicata?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
What are three requirements of Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
1) 100% Aglianico
2) A maximum yield of 70 hL/ha
3) One year of ageing.
What soils are to be found in Aglianico del Vulture?
Clay, limestone and volcanic soils
What is the climate of Aglianico del Vulture?
Warm Mediterranean with cooling influences from altitudes up to 600 m,
When does Aglianico ripen?
Late
What are three requirements of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?
1) Maximum yield is
restricted to 52hL/ha
2) Minimum three years of ageing, one in oak
3) Riserva: five years of which two in oak
Name a significant producer of Aglianico del Vulture
Elena Fucci
Why is Puglia well suited to volume production?
Low rainfall reduces the threat of fungal diseases, soils are fertile and irrigation is permitted.
What is Puglia’s climate?
Hot Mediterranean climate and moderating breezes from the sea
What are the three black varieties in Puglia typical to Puglia?
1) Primitivo
2) Negroamaro
3) Nero di Troia
When does Primitivo bud and ripen?
Early
What is a challenge for growers with regard to Primitivo?
The variability of
production level due to its vulnerability to
drought and has poor flowering and fruit set in rainy and humid years.
What are the two main DOCs for Primitivo in Puglia?
1) Primitivo di Manduria DOC
2) Gioia del Colle DOC
Primitivo di Manduria DOC must contain a minimum what per cent Primitivo?
85%
What are the three requirements of Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva?
1) Must be aged for
two and a half years
2) 9 months in wood
3) Minimum 14% abv.
Gioia del Colle DOC must be what per cent Primitivo?
100%
What is the cooler of Puglia’s Primitivo denominations?
Gioia del Colle
Name two key Primitivo producers in Puglia
Gianfranco Fino (Primitivo di Manduria) and Polvanera (Gioia del Colle).
Puglia’s Primitivo was victim to the EU’s vine pull scheme, but what has contributed to its renaissance?
The success of Californian Zinfandel.
What three characteristics make Negroamaro highly suitable for growing
in a hot climate?
1) High yielding
2) Good resistance to diseases and to drought
3) Ability to retain acidity
What is Negroamaro’s most important DOC?
Salice Salentino DOC