29 - Southern Italy Flashcards
Regions in Southern Italy covered by WSET3 (4)
1.Campania
2.Basilicata
3.Puglia
4.Sicily
climate & influences of southern Italy
- hot & dry inlands
- humid near the coast
- many vy are located on slopes within the Apennines –> altitude
- vy on the flatter terrain of the Puglian peninsula –> sea breezes
principal economic activity in the south of Italy
agriculture
- traditional training of vines in southern Italy
- most common methods used today
- bush-trained low to the ground with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn
- cordon training & trellising –> allow for mechanisation on Puglia’s flat plain
region with more DOCGs than any other region in the south of Italy
Campania
geography of Campania
- varied landscape with mountains, valleys & coastal plains
grapes in Campania
a range of black & white grape varieties, ie.
- Fiano
- Greco
- Aglianico
grapes that produce the best white wines in Campania
Fiano & Greco
appellations with many of the best examples of Fiano & Greco
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Greco di Tufo DOCG
where is Fiano di Avellino DOCG located
- Southern Italy
- Campania
where is Greco di Tufo DOCG located
- Southern Italy
- Campania
wines of Fiano
(char., ageing)
- medium acidity
- medium to full body
- aromas of stone fruit, melons & mango
- often made to be drunk young
- better examples are matured in oak & can be aged in bottle, developing aromas of wax & honey
wines of Greco
- more acidity than Fiano
- leaner in body than Fiano
- green apple, stone fruit & passion fruit flavours
- most producers ferment their wines in ss
- some use old oak & techniques such as lees stirring to enhance the texture of their wines
- best can age in bottle to develop aromas of honey & mushroom
the most prestigious black grape of the south of Italy
Aglianico
Aglianico
- deep colour
- high acidity & tannin
- flavours of black fruit
- matured in oak
- can age in bottle, develops earthy, forest floor notes
best appellation for Aglianico in Campania
Taurasi DOCG
where is Taurasi DOCG & what grapes are used
- Campania, Southern Italy
- Aglianico
where is Basilicata
- Southern Italy
- just below Campania
where is Basilicata
- Southern Italy
- just below Campania
geography of Basilicata
- extremely mountainous region
- vy can reach 900m
- especially on the vast, high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture
what/where is Monte Vulture
extinct volcano in Basilicata in Southern Italy
principal grape in Basilicata
Aglianico
appellation for Aglianico in Basilicata
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
considered to be the best wine of the region Basilicata
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
where is Puglia
- Southern Italy
- the ‘heel’ of Italia’s boot
climate, grapegrowing & grapes of Puglia
- vast agricultural area
- large volumes of grapes are grown
- hot climate
- dominated by black grapes
- most notably Negroamaro & Primitivo
grapes & how does yield influence wine style & char. in Puglia
Grapes: most notably Negroamaro & Primitivo
when grown at high yields
–> simple, fruity wines for early drinking
–> Puglia IGT
when yields are controlled
Negroamaro:
- high-quality
- full-bodied
- medium tannins & acidity
- high alcohol
- baked red & black fruit
- many of the best come from Salice Salentino DOC
Primitivo
- high-quality
- similar style
- full-bodied
- medium tannins & acidity
- high alcohol
- pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit
where is Salice Salentino DOC
Puglia
grapes used in Salice Salentino DOC
Negroamaro
appellations of Sicily
- IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane
- Sicilia DOC
- Etna DOC
dominant black grape in IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane
Nero d’Avola
dominant black grape in Sicilia DOC
Nero d’Avola
Nero d’Avola on Sicilia
(char., style)
- medium- to full-bodied
- medium acidity & tannin
- aromas of plums & black cherries
- often made in a fruity, early-drinking style
- best producers: more concentrated & complex
white wines on Sicily
- local white grape varieties are either sold as varietal or blended wines
- usually made in an unoaked style
- citrus & stone fruit flavours
- international varieties are also planted: ie Chardonnay
international varieties on Sicily
Chardonnay & Syrah
Etna DOC
- some of the best wines on the island
- old, low-yielding vines at high altitudes
- red & white
Grape & char. of red wines of Etna DOC
- Nerello Mascalese & Nerello Cappuccio
- fragrant wines with both high acid & tannins, aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries & raspberries, sometimes with dried herbs
- bottle age: tannins soften & mushroom-like aromas can develop
Char. of white wines of Etna DOC
- medium-bodied
- high acidity
- citrus fruit often with a stony/steely character
- developing aromas of honey & wax with bottle age
