29. Southern Italy

Question 1

Describe the climate and geography of Southern Italy.

Answer 1

• Below Lazio down to the tip of Italy
• Includes peninsula or Puglia and island of Sicily (Sicilia)
• hot, dry climate inland
• humid near the coast
• vineyards on slopes of Apennines
• altitude provides moderation
• flatter vineyards on peninsula (Puglia) are moderated by cool sea breezes

Question 2

Describe the geography of Campania.

Answer 2

• varied landscape
• mountains, valleys, coastal plains
• range of varieties

Question 3

Which grapes produce the best white wines of Campania? Where are the best examples?

Answer 3

Fiano, Greco

• Fiano di Avellino DOCG
• Greco di Tufo DOCG

Question 4

Describe Fiano wines from Campania.

Answer 4

-medium acidity
-medium to full body
-stone fruit, melons, mango
Styles:
1. drink young
2. matured in oak, develop wax and honey notes

Question 5

Describe Greco wines from Campania.

Answer 5

-higher acidity
-leaner body
-green apple, stone fruit. passion fruit
Styles:
1. stainless steel
2. old oak, lees stirring = more texture
-best develop honey and mushroom flavors

Question 6

What is the most popular black grape in Campania? Where are the best examples found?

Answer 6

Aglianico (Taurasi DOCG)

• deep color
• high tannin
• high acidity
• black fruit
• matured in oak, can age in bottle
• develops earthy, forrest floor notes

Question 7

Where is Basilicata located? Describe the geography and climate.

Answer 7

south of Campania

• extremely mountainous
• up to 900 meters
• extinct volcano Monte Vulture (high plain)

Question 8

What is the principle grape of Basilicata?

Answer 8

Aglianico

-Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Question 9

Where is Puglia? Describe the climate.

Answer 9

• heel of the boot
• vast agricultural area
• large volumes of grapes grown
• hot climate

Question 10

What are the most notable grapes of Puglia?

Answer 10

• Negroamaro

- Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Question 11

When the grapes of Puglia are grown at high yields, what are they like? How are they labelled?

Answer 11

Puglia IGT

• simple
• fruity
• early drinking

Question 12

When yields are controlled, describe Negroamaro wines. Where do the best come from?

Answer 12

Salice Salentino DOC

• high quality
• full bodied
• medium tannins
• medium acidity
• high alcohol
• baked red and black fruit

Question 13

When yields are controlled, describe Primitivo wines.

Answer 13

• high quality
• full body
• medium tannins
• high alcohol
• pronounced flavor
• ripe berry fruit

Question 14

How are high-yield wines labelled in Sicily? If yields are slightly lowered, how are they labelled?

Answer 14

• IGT Terre di Sicilia or Terre Siciliane

- slightly lower yields: Sicilia DOC

Question 15

What is the dominant black grape of Sicily? Describe the wines and its different styles.

Answer 15

Nero d'Avola
-medium to full body
-medium acidity
-medium tannins
-plums, black cherries
Styles:
1. fruity, early drinking
2. more concentrated, more complex

Question 16

What other wines wines are made in Sicily?

Answer 16

Local varieties (white)
-varietal or blends
-unoaked styles
-citrus, stone fruit
International varieties
-Chardonnay
-Syrah* particularly succesfull

Question 17

What is the most notable subregion of Sicily? Describe the red wines.

Answer 17

Enta DOC
Macalese, Nerello Cappuccio
-old, low-yielding vines
-high altitude
-reds are noteworthy 
-high acid
-high tannins
-sour red cherries, raspberries, cranberries
-dried herbs
-bottle age: soften tannins, mushroom

Question 18

Describe the white wines of Etna DOC.

Answer 18

• high quality
• medium body
• high acid
• citrus fruit
• stony/steely character
• bottle age: honey, wax