Basilicata Flashcards
What is Lucania?
It is a synonym for Basilicata.
Historically, it was the name of the region when it was occupied by the Italic Lucani tribe.
Where is Basilicata located?
This region is in southern Italy. Campania lies to the west, Puglia to the northeast, and Calabria is situated to the south. It has two small pieces of coastline; a small strip of land touches the Ionian Sea in the southeast and an even smaller piece touches the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southwest.
Describe the mountain ranges of Basilicata.
Almost half of this region is taken up by the Southern Apennines, known locally as the Appennino Lucano.
The mountain ranges are extremely jagged and are at their highest elevations (just over 6,500ft/2,000m) in the southwest corner of the region near the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The extinct volcano, Monte Vulture, lies in the northwestern corner.
This region is 47% mountains.
Describe the hills of Basilicata.
Moving from west to east, the Apennines gradually slope into hills. The eastern section of the region, notably around the famous city of Matera, is characterized by a continuation of the karst topography that extends from the Apulian border.
This region is 45% Hills.
Describe the plains of Basilicata.
This region only has one true plain, the coastal plain of Metapontino near the Ionian Sea.
Name the rivers of Basilicata.
- Bradano
- Basento
- Agri
Rivers traverse the length of the region from the north and the west to the southeast. They all empty into the Ionian Sea but have limited flow.
What is the climate in Basilicata?
Coastal areas are Mediterranean.
Inland hills are moderately Mediterranean.
More mountainous areas are slightly more continental.
What topographical features influence the climate of Basilicata?
The sea and the mountain ranges.
When and where does Basilicata get the most rainfall?
Rain falls mostly in autumn and winter.
August and July are the driest months.
Precipitations levels are higher on the western side of the region and become progressively lower moving east.
What is the temperature like in Basilicata?
Average annual temperatures increase moving from northwest to southeast.
What soil types are found in Basilicata?
Dark volcanic soils in the foothills of the extinct volcano Vulture (lava, tuff, porphyry and pyroclstic material).
The central and eastern hills are largely clay.
The coastal areas have sandy soils of marine origin.
Portions of the east, around Matera, are limestone.
What is ‘Sassi di Matera’?
Meaning ‘Stones of Matera’, this is an ancient cave dwelling within the city of Matera’s “old town”.
This historic part of the city is among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
How much of Basilicata’s total area under vine is devoted to red grapes?
More than 70%.
Name the most widely planted grape variety in Basilicata.
Aglianico; it represents almost half of the total vineyard area.
The rest of the grapes grown play a minor role, comparatively speaking.
Rank the grapes grown in Basilicata from most to least widely.
- Aglianico (47%)
- Sangiovese (8%)
- Primitivo (4%)
- Montepulciano (3%)
- Malvasia Bianca (2%)
-
Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata (1%)
Others (35%)
Name the native and traditional red varieties in Basilicata.
- Aglianico
Others:
* Sangiovese
* Primitivo
* Montepulciano
* Ciliegiolo
* Malvasia Nera di Basilicata
* Barbera
* Malvasia Nera di Brindisi/Lecce
Name the 3 main biotypes of Aglianico.
- Aglianico del Vulture
- Aglianico di Taurasi
- Aglianico del Taburno (Aglianico Amaro)
