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)
How does the Aglianico del Vulture biotype of Basilicata compare to the Aglianico from Campania?
Its considered to produce wines with more intense red fruit aromas.
Name the native and traditional white varieties of Basilicata.
- Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
Others:
* Malvasia Bianca
* Malvasia Bianca Lunga
* Italica
* Moscato Bianco
Which Malvasia variety is the prominent one?
Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
What is the role of Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata in Basilicata?
It is widespread in the Vulture winegrowing area, because in the past, it was traditionally added in small amounts to Aglianico to soften it.
What vinetraining methods are used in Basilicata?
Predominantly Guyot.
Some producers near Matera, influenced by neighboring Puglia, employ the tendone. But more and more are converting to either Guyot or Cordone Speronato.
How much area does Basilicata have under vine?
About 9,900ac/4,000ha.
How much wine does Basilicata produce annually?
Approx. 100,000hl (2014).
What percentage of wines produced in Basilicata are DOC/G, IGT or bulk wine?
- 20% DOC/G
- 15% IGT
- Remaining is bulk wine w/o origin
Name the appellations of Basilicata.
- Aglianico del Vulture DOC
- Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG
Minor appellations:
* Matera DOC
* Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri DOC
* Grottino di Roccanova DOC
Where is Aglianico del Vulture located?
The winegrowing are is located in the northernmost section of Basilicata.
It includes 15 villages surrounding the ancient, extinct volcano Vulture.
What are the 2 main areas that the winegrowing area of Aglianico del Vulture can be divided into?
- The slopes and the hills that surround the volcano lie between 1,300-2,000ft/400-600m. Soils are volcanic. This area is said to produce more refined and complex wines.
- The area that extends to the east of the volcano lies at a lower elevation on sandy-clay soils of marine origin. This area is said to produce fuller and more generous wines.
When was Aglianico del Vulture awarded DOC status?
1971
When was Aglianico del Vulture Superior elevated to DOCG status?
2010
However, most of the wines are still released under the DOC label, including several of the top bottlings.
What are the grape requirements of wines from Aglianico del Vulture?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC and Aglianico del Vulture Superior DOCG:
* 100% Aglianico
What are the requirements for wines released under Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
Cannot be released before September 1st the year after harvest.
What are the requirements for wines released under Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?
Stricter than the DOC:
* lower max. yields
* higher min. alcohol level
* min. 3 years ageing
* min. 1 year in wood
* min. 1 year in bottle
Riserva:
* min. 2 years in wood
* min. 1 year in bottle
* cannot be released before November 1st of the fifth year after harvest.
What types of vessels are used to mature wines in Aglianico del Vulture?
Both small oak barrels and larger oak casks.
How many different UGAs are there in Aglianico del Vulture?
70
Both categories of wine can append their name on labels.
What style of wine, other than varietal Aglianico, is produced under Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
Spumante
Where is Matera DOC located?
This appellation is a geographically large area that encompasses the southeastern part of Basilicata. It borders Puglia and faces the Ionian Sea.
What grapes are used to produce wines in Matera DOC?
Bianco, Passito, & Spumante based on:
* Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
Rosso based on:
* Sangiovese
* Primitivo
Other styles:
* spumante rosato
* rosato
* varietal wines.
Where is Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri DOC located?
This small DOC in the province of Potenza lies in the mountainous western part of the region along the Agri River.
What grapes are used to produce what styles of wine in Terre dell’Alta Val d’Agri DOC?
Rosso & Rosato based on:
* Merlot
* Cabernet Sauvignon
Other styles:
* rosso riserva
Where is Grottino di Roccanova DOC located?
This small DOC is located in the southern half of Basilicata. It is separated from Matera DOC to the north by the Agri River.
What grapes are used to produce wine in Grottino di Roccanova DOC?
Bianco based on:
* Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
Rosso & Rosato based on:
* Sangiovese
Other styles:
* rosso riserva
Name the only IGT in Basilicata.
Basilicata IGT; this is a regional IGT.
What grapes are used to produce wines under Basilicata IGT?
Sweet wines based on:
* Moscato Bianco
* Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
Varietal:
* Malvasia Bianca di Basilicata
Plus, various red & white blends.
