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Matt's WSET level 3 > C28 - Central Italy > Flashcards

C28 - Central Italy Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the topography of Central Italy

A

South of the Po valley, the wine regions here are dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the Italian peninsula

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2
Q

Where in Central Italy are grapes usually planted?

A

In the hills and valleys of the Apennine Mountain range

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3
Q

How is temperature generally moderated within Central Italy?

A

Either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills or coastal sea breezes

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4
Q

Where in Italy is Tuscany?

A

Stretching down the western coast of Central Italy

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5
Q

How can Tuscany be topographically divided?

A

Into three parts:
The mountainous Chianti region in the north
The hills and valleys to the south
The flat coastal plain

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6
Q

What is the dominant and most prestigious grape throughout the areas of Tuscany?

A

Sangiovese

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7
Q

What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in Tuscany?

A

High tannins
High acidity
Aromas of red cherries, plums and dried herbs
Late ripening
Usually aged in oak to soften tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours

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8
Q

What kind of oak containers are used to age Sangiovese in Tuscany?

A

Small barrels and/or larger casks

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9
Q

What aromas can Sangiovese develop with bottle age?

A

Meaty and gamey aromas

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10
Q

What colour of grapes is grown in Tuscany?

A

Predominantly red, but some white is grown

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11
Q

Where in Italy is Chianti?

A

In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena

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12
Q

How is Chianti divided?

A

Into seven sub-zones

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13
Q

What is the dominant grape of Chianti?

A

Sangiovese

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14
Q

True of False: Wines of Chianti are often blends

A

True

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15
Q

How will producers of large volumes of Chianti, with grapes from the larger area, usually label their wines?

A

Chianti DOCG

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16
Q

How may higher quality Chianti producers label their wines?

A

Depending on where the grapes are from, they may label their wines with the name of the sub-zone

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17
Q

Which of Chianti’s sub-zones are best known for their quality?

A

Chianti Rufina DOCG

Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG

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18
Q

What is unusual about Chianti Classico?

A

It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti

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19
Q

Describe the vineyards of Chianti Classico

A

At higher altitudes than those of Chianti

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20
Q

What is the effect of Chianti Classico’s higher vineyards?

A

Greater acidity

More herbal aromas

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21
Q

What is the role of ageing on Chianti Classico?

A

Must be aged for 12 months before release

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22
Q

What is the role of ageing for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

A

Must be aged for 24 months, with at least 3 months of bottle ageing

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23
Q

What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines?

A

Gran Selezione

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24
Q

How may a Chianti Classico qualify for Gran Selezione status?

A

Grapes must be sourced from a single estate

Wines must be aged for six months longer than Riserva

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25
Q

What is the role of oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?

A

There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer

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26
Q

What is the reality regarding oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?

A

The vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release

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27
Q

Describe the vineyards of Southern Tuscany

A

Lower than the north
Warmer climate
Cool, maritime breezes from south-west

28
Q

What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?

A

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

29
Q

Describe the general difference between wines from this part of Tuscany and from further north

A

More intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti

30
Q

What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello?

A

The wines must be entirely Sangiovese

Must be aged for at least five years before release, with at least two years in oak

31
Q

What are the key stipulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

A

Can be a blend of Sangiovese and other permitted varieties

Must be aged for a minimum of two years before release

32
Q

What may producers of Brunello or VNdM do with their legal classifications? Give an example of when they might do this?

A

They can declassify they wines to DOC

If the vintage is particularly poor

33
Q

What will Brunello or VNdM become if declassified?

A

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

34
Q

Describe the Tuscan coast

A

It is relatively flat and cooled by sea-breezes

35
Q

What kinds of varieties are grown on the Tuscan coast?

A

Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international varieties

36
Q

In which area did the first ‘Super-Tuscan’ come about?

A

The coast

37
Q

What was the first Super-Tuscan made from?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon

38
Q

What was groundbreaking about the first Super-Tuscan?

A

It was sold at a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status

39
Q

Why were Super-Tuscans so important?

A

They were a turning point for Italian wines as they re-established Italy’s reputation for excellence

40
Q

What varieties go into Super-Tuscans?

A

Typically international varieties, but sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend

41
Q

How are Super-Tuscans usually labelled?

A

Toscana IGT
Bolgheri DOC
Maremma Toscana DOC

42
Q

What is special about Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?

A

The relatively new appellations permit wines to be made from entirely non-Italian varieties, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah

43
Q

What is the climate of Umbria?

A

Similar to Tuscany’s but more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean

44
Q

Where is Umbria?

A

Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche on the respective coasts

45
Q

What is Umbria’s best known wine?

A

Orvieto DOC

46
Q

What is Orvieto?

A

A white wine, made from Grechetto, Trebbiano and often, a few other local grapes

47
Q

Describe Orvieto DOC wines

A

Light body
Medium to high acidity
Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches

48
Q

How are the best examples of Orvieto often composed?

A

They tend to be the examples with the most Grechetto in the blend

49
Q

How are Orvieto wines vinified?

A

They are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel

50
Q

What is Umbria’s most prestigious wine?

A

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG

51
Q

What is Sagrantino di Montefalco made from?

A

The thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

52
Q

What is the next region to the south of Tuscany?

A

Lazio

53
Q

What is the best known wine of Lazio?

A

Frascati DOC

54
Q

Where are the vineyards of Frascati DOC?

A

The hills to the south of Rome

55
Q

What are the growing conditions like in Frascati DOC?

A

Vineyards are cooled by altitude and a number of small nearby lakes

56
Q

What are the grapes of Frascati DOC?

A

Malvasia and Trebbiano

57
Q

Describe wines of Frascati DOC

A

Fresh and fruity in style
Medium body
Medium to high acidity
Flavours of citrus fruit, with Malvasia sometimes providing floral, orange blossom aromas

58
Q

Where is Marche?

A

On the eastern side of the Apennines

59
Q

What wines is Marche best known for?

A

White wines made from Verdicchio

60
Q

What is Marche’s most famous wine from the Verdicchio grape?

A

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

61
Q

Describe wines from the Verdicchio grape

A

High acidity
Green apple and lemon flavours
Sometimes notes of fennel and almonds
Usually simple and fruity, but the best have greater concentration and can develop notes of honey and almonds with bottle age

62
Q

What are Marche’s red wines typically made from?

A

Usually blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese

63
Q

What is the best known of Marche’s red blends?

A

Conero DOCG

64
Q

Which region is below Marche?

A

Abruzzo

65
Q

For which variety is Abruzzo most famous?

A

Montepulciano

66
Q

What is Abruzzo’s most famous wine?

A

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

67
Q

Describe wines from the Montepulciano grape

A

High levels of colour and tannins
Medium acidity
Flavours of black plums and cherries
Many simple and fruity with no oak ageing
Most concentrated examples matured for a short time in oak

Matt's WSET level 3 (44 decks)

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