29 - Southern Italy

Question 1

Regions in Southern Italy covered by WSET3 (4)

Answer 1

1.Campania
2.Basilicata
3.Puglia
4.Sicily

Question 2

climate & influences of southern Italy

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

principal economic activity in the south of Italy

Answer 3

agriculture

Question 4

1. traditional training of vines in southern Italy
2. most common methods used today

Answer 4

1. bush-trained low to the ground with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn
2. cordon training & trellising –> allow for mechanisation on Puglia’s flat plain

Question 5

region with more DOCGs than any other region in the south of Italy

Answer 5

Campania

Question 6

geography of Campania

Answer 6

• varied landscape with mountains, valleys & coastal plains

Question 7

grapes in Campania

Answer 7

a range of black & white grape varieties, ie.
- Fiano
- Greco
- Aglianico

Question 8

grapes that produce the best white wines in Campania

Answer 8

Fiano & Greco

Question 9

appellations with many of the best examples of Fiano & Greco

Answer 9

Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Greco di Tufo DOCG

Question 10

where is Fiano di Avellino DOCG located

Answer 10

• Southern Italy
• Campania

Question 11

where is Greco di Tufo DOCG located

Answer 11

• Southern Italy
• Campania

Question 12

wines of Fiano
(char., ageing)

Answer 12

• 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

Question 13

wines of Greco

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

the most prestigious black grape of the south of Italy

Answer 14

Aglianico

Question 15

Aglianico

Answer 15

• deep colour
• high acidity & tannin
• flavours of black fruit
• matured in oak
• can age in bottle, develops earthy, forest floor notes

Question 16

best appellation for Aglianico in Campania

Answer 16

Taurasi DOCG

Question 17

where is Taurasi DOCG & what grapes are used

Answer 17

• Campania, Southern Italy
• Aglianico

Question 18

where is Basilicata

Answer 18

• Southern Italy
• just below Campania

Question 19

where is Basilicata

Answer 19

• Southern Italy
• just below Campania

Question 20

geography of Basilicata

Answer 20

• extremely mountainous region
• vy can reach 900m
• especially on the vast, high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture

Question 21

what/where is Monte Vulture

Answer 21

extinct volcano in Basilicata in Southern Italy

Question 22

principal grape in Basilicata

Answer 22

Aglianico

Question 23

appellation for Aglianico in Basilicata

Answer 23

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Question 24

considered to be the best wine of the region Basilicata

Answer 24

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Question 25

where is Puglia

Answer 25

• Southern Italy
• the ‘heel’ of Italia’s boot

Question 26

climate, grapegrowing & grapes of Puglia

Answer 26

• vast agricultural area
• large volumes of grapes are grown
• hot climate
• dominated by black grapes
• most notably Negroamaro & Primitivo

Question 27

grapes & how does yield influence wine style & char. in Puglia

Answer 27

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

Question 28

where is Salice Salentino DOC

Answer 28

Puglia

Question 29

grapes used in Salice Salentino DOC

Answer 29

Negroamaro

Question 30

appellations of Sicily

Answer 30

1. IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane
2. Sicilia DOC
3. Etna DOC

Question 31

dominant black grape in IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane

Answer 31

Nero d’Avola

Question 32

dominant black grape in Sicilia DOC

Answer 32

Nero d’Avola

Question 33

Nero d’Avola on Sicilia
(char., style)

Answer 33

• 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

Question 34

white wines on Sicily

Answer 34

• 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

Question 35

international varieties on Sicily

Answer 35

Chardonnay & Syrah

Question 36

Etna DOC

Answer 36

• some of the best wines on the island
• old, low-yielding vines at high altitudes
• red & white

Question 37

Grape & char. of red wines of Etna DOC

Answer 37

• 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

Question 38

Char. of white wines of Etna DOC

Answer 38

• medium-bodied
• high acidity
• citrus fruit often with a stony/steely character
• developing aromas of honey & wax with bottle age