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WSET Level 3 Award in Wines > 28. Central Italy > Flashcards

28. Central Italy Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the climate and geography of central Italy.

A

Hot climate

  • dominated by the Apennine Mountains
  • vineyards are in the hills and valleys
  • altitude and coast regions on both sides provide a moderating influence
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2
Q

Where is Tuscany located? What are the three distinct geographical regions of Tuscany?

A
  • Western coast of Central Italy
    1. Mountainous Chianti region in the north
    2. Hills & Valleys to the South
    3. Flat coastal plain
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3
Q

What is the dominant grape of Tuscany? Describe the wines.

A

Sangiovese

  • high acid
  • high tannin
  • late ripening (needs warm climate)
  • red cherries, plums, dried herbs
  • typically aged in oak to soften the tannins, add spicy flavors (small barrels and casks)
  • bottle age: meaty, gamey aromas

-mostly red wines, some white

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4
Q

Where is Chianti located?

A
  • foothills of the Apennines
  • between Pisa, Florence, and Siena
  • wide area
  • divided into 7 sub-zones
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5
Q

What is the dominate grape of Chianti? Is it typically a varietal wine or a blend?

A

Sangiovese

-often blended with small amounts of other black grapes (French and Italian origin)

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6
Q

What does it mean if Chianti DOCG is on the label?

A

Grapes sourced from all over greater Chianti region

  • large production volume
  • typically lower quality
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7
Q

Where are higher quality Chianti grapes sourced from? How is that reflected on the label? Give 2 examples.

A
  • Grapes sourced from specific sub-zone
  • Name appears on the label:
    1. Chianti Rufina DOCG
    2. Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
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8
Q

How does Chianti Classico DOCG differ from Chianti DOCG? How do the wines differ?

A
  • Not a sub zone of Chianti
  • Own DOCG
  • More requirements
  • Vineyards are at higher altitudes (slows ripening)
  • Higher acidity
  • more herbal aromas
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9
Q

What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico DOCG?

A

-12 Months before being released on the market

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10
Q

What are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

A
  • 24 Months before being released on the market

- At least 3 months of bottle aging

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11
Q

What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico? Describe the requirements

A

Gran Selezione

  • grapes must be sourced from a single estate
  • wines aged for 6 months longer than Riserva (30 months)
  • no requirements for oak aging but most producers do
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12
Q

What are the major regions in Southern Tuscany? How does the climate and geography differ from northern Tuscany?

A
  1. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
  2. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
    - Lower altitudes
    - Warmer climate
    - Cool maritime breezes can moderate
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13
Q

Describe the wines of Southern Tuscany.

A
  • more intense

- more fuller bodied

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14
Q

Describe the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.

A
  • must be 100% Sangiovese

- min aging 5 years, 2 in oak

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15
Q

Describe the wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

A
  • can be a blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieties
  • min aging 2 years
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16
Q

If wines are very young or come from a poor vintage, what might Brunello and Vino Nobile producer do? What are these wines called?

A

Declassify their wines to DOC

  • Rosso di Montalcino DOC
  • Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
17
Q

Describe the climate of the Tuscan coast. What grape varieties are grown here?

A
  • cooled by sea breezes
  • flat
  • black Bordeaux varieties
  • Super Tuscan
18
Q

What is a Super Tuscan? Why are they important in Italy’s wine history?

A
  • originally made from Cabernet Sauvignon
  • sold for premium price despite not being PDO status
  • turning point for the international image of Italian wines
  • reestablished Italy’s reputation for excellence
  • trend of producing high-quality wines from international varieties, sometimes with native varieties as part of the blend
19
Q

How are many Super Tuscans labeled today? What grapes do they typically contain?

A
  • Toscana IGT
  • Bolgheri DOC
  • Maremma Toscana DOC

-Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

20
Q

Describe the climate of Umbria.

A

Continental

  • inland
  • no moderating breeze from the Mediterranean
21
Q

What white wine is Umbria known for? Describe the wines. What varieties? How are they made?

A

Orvieto DOC

  • white wine
  • blend of Grechetto, Trebbiano, and often local varieties
  • light body
  • medium to high acidity
  • ripe grapefruit, peaches
  • best wines are mostly Grechetto
  • made protectively in temp controlled stainless steel
22
Q

What red wine is Umbria known for?

A

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG

-made from the thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

23
Q

Where is Lazio? What is the major DOC in Lazio?

A

South of Tuscany

  • Frascati DOC
  • in the hills
  • south of Rome
  • cooled by altitude and nearby lakes
24
Q

What grapes are grown in Frascati DOC? Describe the wines.

A
  • Malvasia, Trebbiano
  • fresh unoaked style
  • medium body
  • medium to high acidity
  • citrus fruit
  • Malvasia: floral, orange blossom
25
Q

Where is Marche located?

A
  • eastern side of the Apennines

- on the Adriatic sea coast

26
Q

What is the main variety of Marche? What is the main region? Describe the wines.

A 
Verdicchio
-Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
-high acidity
-green apples, lemons, fennel, almonds
Styles:
1. many are simple and fruity
2. best have greater concentration and can develop honey and almonds with bottle age
27
Q

From what varieties are red wines made in Marche? What’s the best known region?

A
  • blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese

- Conero DOCG

28
Q

Where is Abruzzo located?

A

below Marche

  • eastern coast of central Italy
  • Adriatic Sea
29
Q

What is the main red variety in Abruzzo?

A 
Montepulciano
-Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC (no relation to the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany)
-high tannins
-deep color
-medium acidity
-black plums, cherries
Styles:
1. simple, fruity, no oak
2. concentrated, matured in oak for short time

WSET Level 3 Award in Wines (41 decks)

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