29. Southern Italy

Question 1

What is Campania’s landscape like?

Answer 1

Varied with mountains, valleys and coastal plains.

Question 2

What grapes make the best wines in Campania?

Answer 2

Fiano and Greco make the best white wines.

Aglianico is the most prestigious black grape of the south.

Question 3

What type of wines does Fiano make?

Answer 3

It makes wines that are:

• Medium acidity
• Medium to full body
• Aromas of stone fruit, melons and mango
• Generally made to be drunk young but the best are oak aged developing aromas of wax and honey

The most famous appellation for this is Fiano di Avellino DOCG

Question 4

What style of wine is made from the Greco grape?

Answer 4

It makes wines that are:

• Higher in acidity
• Leaner in body
• Green apple, stone fruit and passion fruit flavours

The best examples come from Greco di Turfo DOCG

Question 5

Describe a wine made from Aglianco.

Answer 5

It is:

• Deep in colour
• High acidity
• High tannin
• Flavours of black fruit
• Matured in oak and can age in bottle developing earthy, forest floor notes

The best examples come from Taurasi DOCG.

Question 6

Where is Basilicata located?

Answer 6

Just below (south) of Campania.

Question 7

What is the terrain like in Basilicata?

Answer 7

Very mountainous.

Vineyards can reach 900 metres and are planted of the vast, high plain surrounding the extinct volcano of Mount Vulture.

Question 8

What is the principal grape in Basilicata?

Answer 8

Agliancio.

It is used in the wines of Agliancio del Vulture DOC which is often considered the best of the region.

Question 9

What is the climate of Puglia like?

Answer 9

Hot.

Large volumes of grapes are grown here mainly black varieties.

Question 10

What are the most notable black grapes of Puglia?

Answer 10

Negroamaro and Primitivo (Zinfandel).

When grown at high yields they make simple, fruity wines labelled as Puglia IGT.

Question 11

What style of wine does Negroamaro make?

Answer 11

When yields are controlled they have a:

• Full body
• Medium tannins
• Medium acidity
• High alcohol
• Baked red and black fruit

Many of the best come from Salice Salentino DOC.

Question 12

What style of wine is made from Primitivo?

Answer 12

When yields are controlled they have a:

• Full body
• Medium tannins
• Medium acidity
• High alcohol
• Pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit

Question 13

What are the two regions that grow vast quantities of grapes?

Answer 13

• Puglia
• Sicily

Question 14

What are the labelling terms in Sicily?

Answer 14

If grown in large quantities:

• IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane​

If yields are slightly lowered:

• Sicilia DOC

Question 15

What is dominant black grape in Sicily?

Answer 15

Nero d’Avola.

It makes wines that are:

• Medium to full body
• Medium acidity
• Medium tannin
• Aromas of plum and black cherries

Often made in a fruity, early - drinking style.

Question 16

What are the main international varieties in Siciliy?

Answer 16

Chardonnay and Syrah.

Question 17

Are local white grapes grown in Sicily?

Answer 17

Yes.

They are sold as either single varietal or blended wines.

Typically made in an unoaked style with citrus and stone fruit flavours.

Question 18

Where do the best Sicilian wines come from?

Answer 18

Etna DOC.

They are made from old, low -yielding vines planted at high altitudes.

Reds here (made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappucio) are a blend with:

• High acidity
• High tannins
• Aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries, raspberries and sometimes dried herbs.