28. Central Italy

Question 1

Where is Tuscany located?

Answer 1

On the western coast of central Italy.

Question 2

What is the dominant grape in Tuscany?

Answer 2

Sangiovese:

• Late to ripen
• High acidity
• High tannins
• Aromas of red cherries, plums and dried herbs
• Usually aged in oak:
  
  • To soften tannins
  • Add spicy flavours as wanted

Question 3

Where is Chainti located?

Answer 3

Between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena.

Question 4

What is the dominant grape in Chianti?

Answer 4

Sangiovese.

Often a blend with small amounts of other black grapes (of both French & Italian origin).

Question 5

What is large volume Chianti labelled as?

Answer 5

Chianti DOCG.

Grapes are sourced from the greater region.

Question 6

What is Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 6

• Has its own DOCG
• Not a sub-zone of Chianti DOCG
• Vineyards are planted at higher altitudes
• Must be aged for 12 months before release

Question 7

How long must Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG be aged for?

Answer 7

24 months (2 years) at least 3 of which must be in bottle.

Question 8

What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines?

Answer 8

Gran Selezione.

• Grapes must be sourced from a single estate
• Must be aged for six months longer than Riserva
  
  • (30 months or 2 years, 6 months)
• No stipulations regarding oak ageing however the vast majority of wines undergo this

Question 9

What is the climate in Southern Tuscany like in comparison to the north?

Answer 9

• Warmer
• Vineyards here are also planted at lower altitudes

Due to the climate wines here are usually more intense and full bodied.

Question 10

What are the most famous appellations from Southern Tuscany?

Answer 10

• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Question 11

What are the requirements for making Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 11

• Made from 100% Sangiovese
• Aged for a minimum of 5 years, 2 of which must be in oak

Question 12

What are the requirements for making Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Answer 12

• Can be a blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieities
• Must be aged for min. 2 years before sale

Question 13

Do growers from Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano have to classify their wines?

Answer 13

No.

They may do this if there has been a poor vintage or the vines are very young.

They will be labelled as either:

• Rosso di Montalcino DOC
• or Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Question 14

How is the coastal region in Tuscany cooled?

Answer 14

Sea breezes.

This area is relatively flat.

Question 15

Where do ‘Super-Tuscan’s come from?

Answer 15

The coastal region of Tuscany.

Originally this wine was made from Cabernet Sauvignon and sold for a premium price despite not being a PDO.

Many top producers now make wines from international varities, sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend.

Question 16

What are wines made from international varities labelled as?

Answer 16

Toscano IGT.

Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC also permit wines entirely made from international varities.

Many of these wines also have small amount of local varities in the blend.

Question 17

What is Umbria’s climate?

Answer 17

Continental without any influence from the Mediterranean.

Question 18

What wine is Umbria known for?

Answer 18

The white wine Orvieto DOC which is a blend of:

• Grechetto
• Trebbiano
• Other local grapes

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Question 19

What style of wine is Orvieto?

Answer 19

• Light in body
• Medium to high acidity
• Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
• Undergo fermentation in stainless steel

Question 20

Where is Lazio located?

Answer 20

To the south of Tuscany in the hills to the south of Rome.

Cooled by altitude and a small number of nearby lakes.

Question 21

What is the most well known wine from the Lazio region?

Answer 21

The white wine Frascati DOC:

• Blends of Malvasia and Trebbiano
• Made in a fresh, unoaked style
• Medium in body
• Medium to high acidity
• Flavours of citrus fruit
• Malvasia sometimes provides floral, orange blossom aromas

Question 22

Where is Marche located?

Answer 22

On the eastern side of the Apennines.

Question 23

What is Marche most well known for?

Answer 23

White wines made from the Verdicchio grape:

• High in acid
• Flavours of green apples, lemons
• Sometimes displays notes of fennel and almonds.

Generally simple and fruity wines.

The most famous of these is Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC.

Question 24

Where is Abruzzo located?

Answer 24

Below Marche.

Question 25

What is Abruzzo famous for?

Answer 25

The black grape Montepulciano:

• High levels of colour
• High tannins
• Medium acidity
• Flavours of black plums and cherries
• Many are simple and fruit with no oak but the best are often matured

The most well known of these is Montepulicano d’Abruzzo DOC

(No relation to the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany)