29 - Southern Italy Flashcards
Describe the climate and geography of southern Italy?
South of Lazio, down to the tip of the country, including the peninsula of Puglia, together with the island of Sicily. Climate is hot and dry inland becoming humid near the coast. Many vineyards are located on slopes withing the Apennines, with altitude providing some relief from the heat. Sea breezes cool the vineyards on the flatter terrain of the Puglia peninsula.
How were vines grow traditionally?
Vines were bush trained low to the ground with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn. Cordon training and trellising are the most common methods now. These allow for mechanisation on Puglia’s flat plain.
Briefly explain the Campania region?
Home to more DOCG’s than any other region in the south. A varied landscape with mountains, valleys, and coastal plains means that a range of black and white grape varieties can be grown here.
What are most notable white varietals in Campania?
Fiano and Greco produce the best wines in the region. The best examples come from the appellations of Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG.
Describe Fiano wines from Campania?
Medium acidity, medium to full body and aromas of stone fruit, melons and mango. often made to be drunk young, but better examples are aged in oak and can be aged in bottle, developing aromas of wax and honey.
Describe Greco wines from Campania?
Greco has more acidity than Fiano, and leaner in body, producing wines with green apple, stone fruit and passion fruit flavours. Most producers ferment in stainless steel, but some use old oak and techniques such as lees stirring to enhance texture. The best can in bottle and develop honey and mushroom aromas.
What is the most prestigous black grape varietal of southern Italy and Campania?
Deep colour, with high acidity and tannin, with flavours of black fruit. It’s matured in oak and can age in bottle, where it develops earthy forest floor notes. This varietal is at it’s best in Taurasi DOCG.
Describe the Basilicata region of southern Italy?
Just below Campania, it’s an extremely mountainous region where vineyards can exceed 900 metres, esecially on the vast high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture.
What is the best wine of the Basilicata region?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC.
Describe the Puglia region?
A vast agricultural area, where large volumes of grapes are grown.Hot climate means growing is dominated by black grapes.
What are the dominant varietals in the Puglia region?
Negroamaro and Primitivo (Zinfandel). At high yileds produces simple fruity wines for early drinking, which are sold as Puglia IGT.
Controlled yield Negroamaro generally produces what type of wines?
High quality full bodied wines, with medium tannins and acidity, high alcohol and baked red and black fruit. Many of the best come from Salice Salentino DOC.
Describe the common profile of Primitivo wines from Puglia?
High quality, full bodied, with medium tannins and acidity, high alcohol and pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit.
What is most Sicilian wine labelled as?
IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane or if yileds are slightly lowered: Sicilia DOC.
What is the dominant varietal in Sicily?
Nero d’Avola. It produces medium to full bodided wines, with medium acidity and tannins. With aromas of plums and black cherries. Often made in a fruity , early drinking style, but the those from the best producers are more concentrated and complex.
