28 - Central Italy Flashcards
Which mountain is an important topographical feature of Central Italy’s wine region, providing hills and valleys with altitude that moderates the hot climate?
Apennine Mountains
True/False: the Tuscany region can be roughly divided into 3 parts - mountainous Chianti region in north, hills and valleys to south, and flat coastal plain
True
What is the most dominant and prestigious grape of Tuscany? What are its characteristics?
Sangiovese
makes wines with high acidity and tannin
aromas: red cherry, plums, dried herbs
aged in oak (small and large vessels) to soften tannins and add spice. develop meat and gamey aromas
True/False: Sangiovese is an early-ripening variety
False. it is late to ripen and needs a warm climate, which is why it is successful in Central Italy
Where is Chianti located?
in the foothills of the Apennines, in Tuscany
Where do producers that label their wines Chianti DOCG source their grapes from? What about Chianti Classico DOCG
Chianti DOCG: From the greater region of Chianti.
Chianti Classico DOCG: made from grapes from this particular zone (it is separate from Chianti DOCG)
the vineyards of Chianti Classico DOCG are higher than Chianti DOCG. How do its wines therefore compare to Chianti DOCG?
The higher altitude (cooler temp) slows ripening of Sangiovese. Wines with greater acidity, more herbal aromas.
How many months do Chianti Classico DOCG and Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG need to be aged before being released onto the market?
Chianti Classico DOCG: 12 months
Chianti Classico Riserva: 24 months (3 months of which in bottle)
What is the highest designation for Chianti CLassico wines?
Gran Selezione
grapes sourced from single estate and wines aged 6 months longer than Riserva (30 months in total). Oak aging is optional but most wines are matured in oak
True/False: the vineyards of Southern Tuscany have a higher altitude than Northern Tuscany.
False. Southern Tuscany’s altitude is lower, resulting in warmer climate. However maritime breezes from south-west can moderate the temperature. Due to warmer temp, wines from Southern Tuscany are often more intense and fuller-bodied than Chianti (in Northern Tuscany)
Which are the best-known appellations in Southern Tuscany?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
What are the regulations for Brunello di Montalcino from Southern Tuscany?
made entirely from Sangiovese
minimum ageing 5 years (2 of which in oak)
What are the regulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
can be blend of Sangiovese with other permitted. varieties
aged for 2 years
True/False: Producers from Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano can declassify their wines to DOC
True. this is sometimes done if there is a poor vintage. These wines are called Rosso di Montalcino DOC or Rosso di Montelpulciano DOC respectively
What wine is the relatively flat coastal region of Tuscany known for?
Super Tuscan - wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon despite not being eligible for PDO status, sold for premium price.
What are high-quality wines from international varieties + Italian varieties blended together produced from the flat coastal region of Tuscany called?
Toscana IGT (for most part) the newly formed appellations Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC allow wines to be made entirely from non-Italian varieties i.e. Bordeaux grapes Merlot Syrah, Cabernet
What is the climate of Umbria and how does it compare to Tuscany?
Since Umbria is located to the east of Tuscany away from the sea, it is similar to Tuscany and has warm/hot Mediterranean climate but doesn’t have Mediterranean influence
What white wine made from blend of Grechetto, Trebbiano and other local grapes is Umbria known for? What are its characteristics
Orvieto DOC
light body, medium to high acid, grapefruit peaches
made protectively w/ fermentation stainless steel
What is Umbria’s most prestigious red wine?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG (made from Sagrantino grape, thick sinned)
Where is the region of Lazio located in relation to Tuscany?
to the south of Tuscany
Lazio offers perfect conditions for white grapes - situated in hills to south of Rome. Vineyards are cooled by altitude and small nearby lakes.
What is the best known wine of Lazio?
Frascati DOC - blends of Malvasia Trebbiano. Fresh, unoaked
medium body, medium to high acid
citrus , floral, orange blossom
Where the region of Marche lcoated?
Eastern side of the apennines
Which white wine/grape is Marche most known for?
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC made from Verdicchio grape
besides white, Marche also makes red blends from Montepulciano and Sangiovese. best known is Conero DOCG
What are the key cahracteristics of the Verdicchio grape, well known in Marche?
high acid
green apple, lemon, sometimes fennel and almonds
range from simple fruity to age-worthy wines with notes honey and almonds
