Abruzzo Flashcards

1
Q

Name 7 wine regions within Central Italy.

A

Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise

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2
Q

What are the two key wines of Abruzzo?

A

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

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3
Q

The position of Abruzzo within the wine industry of central and southern Italy

A

Abruzzo rivals Tuscany as the third most productive region of southern and central Italy (i.e. densely planted.)

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4
Q

Desribe the topography of Abruzzo and the role played by the mountains.

A

Most mountainous region of central and southern Italy; mountains comprise 2/3’s of the region; also 1/3 hills [a reverse of the ration in Marche]

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5
Q

The role of Montepulciano within Abruzzo

A

most important grape; native; represents over half of the total vineyard area

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6
Q

Abruzzo’s three principal grapes

A

Montepulciano, Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Abruzzese

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7
Q

What is the difference between the grape, Montepulciano, the town, Montepulciano and the wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

A

Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town in the province of Siena in southern Tuscany. Montepulciano is a grape native to Abruzzo. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an historic wine made from a Sangiovese clone.

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8
Q

The difficulties in identifying Trebbiano Abruzzese

A

Confused with Trebbiano Toscano and Bombnio Bianco, the three were often co-planted.

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9
Q

What are the four “need to know” grape varieties in Abruzzo?

A

Montepulciano, Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Abruzzese, Pecorino

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10
Q

Abruzzo’s traditional vine training system

A

Pergola Abruzzese, variant of tendone, but modern training is with Guyot and Cordone Speronata

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11
Q

What are the two main types of wine produced from the Montepulciano grape?

A

dry red and rose (cerasuolo)

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12
Q

What are the reasons for the variation in style and quality levels within Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

It encompasses the entire winegrowing aera of Abruzzo with varying altitude and climates.

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13
Q

What are the reasons for the variation in style and quality levels within Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

due to the three different grapes allowed in the blend plus the wide and diverse winegrowing area, character, quality and style vary across the DOC

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14
Q

The grape varieties and principal wine styles of the “need to know” appellations

A
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15
Q

Where are the “need to know” appellations situated within Abruzzo?

A

Most of the important appellations are regional covering almost all of the winegrowing areas of the region; the exception is Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Colline Teramane along the Marche border within province of Teramo, extending from sea to highest mountain.

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16
Q

What were the first historic tribes in Abruzzo?

A

Aequi, Samnites, Piceni

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17
Q

What was the first civilization to emphasize viticulture in Abruzzo?

A

Romans that arrived in mid-3rd century BCE

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18
Q

When was Abruzzo independent?

A

between 9th and 12th centuries after periods of control by Romans, Lombards and the Duchy of Spoleto

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19
Q

Who controlled Abruzzo after independence?

A

Kingdom of Sicily,
Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Kingdom of Italy (1861)

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20
Q

What had the biggest effect on viticulture diversity in Abruzzo?

A

Phylloxera reduced diversity

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21
Q

What are the regions bordering Abruzzo?

A

Marche, Lazio, Molise

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22
Q

What is the capital of Abruzzo? What is the climate there?

A

L’Aquila, one of the coldest cities in Italy.

23
Q

What is the most mountainous region in Central and Southern Italy?

A

Abruzzo, 2/3 mountain, 1/3 hills

24
Q

What are the soils of the coastal hills of Abruzzo?

A

sedimentary soils, most are high in clay content.

25
Q

What are the soils of the middle band of hills in Abruzzo?

A

Marl and sandstone soils with a high clay content

26
Q

Name the important rivers in Abruzzo.

A

Sangro, Tordino, Vomano, Tronto

27
Q

What is the mix of white and red grapes in Abruzzo?

A

> 60% of grapes are red, mostly Montepulciano

28
Q

What minor grape in Abruzzo is cultivated in larger amounts recently?

A

Pecorino

29
Q

What is the relationship between Montepulciano and botrytis and downy mildew

A

it is resistant due to thick skin

30
Q

What is the most widely planted white grape in

Abruzzo?

A

Trebbiano Toscano [trick!]

31
Q

What is the origin of the Montepulciano grape?

A

Most likely native to Abruzzo.

32
Q

Compare the quality of Bombino Bianco, Trebbiano Abruzzese and Trebbiano Toscano

A

Trebbiano Abruzzese is considered highest quality.

33
Q

What is the origin of the Pecorino grape?

A

southern part of Marche (near Abruzzo)

34
Q

Where does Pecorino grow best?

A

at high altitude [with the sheep in the mountains!]

35
Q

How much of the wine from Abruzzo is labeled DOC/DOCG?

A

40%

36
Q

Name the DOCG’s in Abruzzo?

A

One, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane, originally a sub-zoneof Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

37
Q

Where is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG located?

A

northern part of Abruzzo along the sea and extending to Gran Sasso Massif.

38
Q

What is the blending formula Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG?

A

a minimum of 90% Montepulciano and remainer Sangiovese

39
Q

What is the ageing requirement for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG?

A

one year, 3 years for riserva

40
Q

What was Abruzzo’s first DOC?

A

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

41
Q

What is the blending formula Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

at least 85% Montepulciano

42
Q

What are requirements for riserva of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

2 years of ageing (9 months in wood) and 12.5% abv (compared to 12%)

43
Q

How many sub-zones are in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

5

44
Q

What does Cerasuolo mean?

A

rose wine in Abruzzo, Cerasuolo, means “cherry,” in Italian {not to be confused with Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG in Sicilia]

45
Q

What are tasting characteristics of Ceraasuolo d’Abruzzo?

A

savory, complex, more structured style of rosato

46
Q

What is the blending formula Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

At least 85% Montepulciano (like Montelpulciano d’Abruzzo DOC to which it overlaps)

47
Q

What is an alternate style of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC?

A

superiore, 12.5% abv

48
Q

Name 3 nearly overlapping DOC’s in Abruzzo.

A

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

49
Q

What is the difference between Trebbiano Abruzzese and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo?

A

First is grape, second is DOC.

50
Q

Montepulciano is particularly resistent to what disease?

A

downy mildew due to thick skin

51
Q

What is the highest mountain in Abruzzo?

A

Gran Sasso Massif

52
Q

Where is Gran Sasso Massif located.

A

Abruzzo

53
Q

How does Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo differ from other rosatos?

A

It is savory, complex and more structured.

54
Q

What is the significance of Terre di Chieti?

A

one of the most popular Abruzzo IGT’s, especially for varietal Pecorino (Umani Ronchi)