C28 - Central Italy /checked Flashcards
Describe the topography of Central Italy
Dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the Italian peninsula
Where in Central Italy are grapes usually planted?
On the SLOPES and VALLEYS of the Apennine Mountain range
How is temperature generally moderated within Central Italy? (2)
- Either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills
2. Coastal sea breezes
How can Tuscany be topographically divided? (3)
Into three parts:
- The MOUNTAINS Chianti region in the north
- The HILLS and valleys to the south
- The FLAT coastal plain
What is the dominant and most prestigious grape throughout the areas of Tuscany?
SANGIOVESE
What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in Tuscany?
ripening, tannin, acidity, aromas, oak, aged aromas
- Late ripening
- High tannins
- High acidity
- Aromas of red cherries, plums and dried herbs
- Usually aged in oak to soften tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours
- Aged aromas: meaty and gamey
What kind of oak containers are used to age Sangiovese in Tuscany? (2)
- Small barrels
2. Larger casks
How many sub-zones are there within Chianti?
7 sub-zones
Are wines of Chianti often blends?
YES
How will producers of large volumes of Chianti, with grapes from the larger area, usually label their wines?
Chianti DOCG
How may higher quality Chianti producers label their wines?
ADD SUB-ZONE
Depending on where the grapes are from, they may label their wines with the name of the sub-zone
Which of Chianti’s sub-zones are best known for their quality? (2)
- Chianti Rufina DOCG
2. Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
What is unusual about Chianti Classico DOCG?
It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti
Describe the vineyards of Chianti Classico DOCG
At HIGHER ALTITUDE than those of Chianti
What is the effect of Chianti Classico’s higher vineyards?
acidity, aromas
- Greater acidity
2. More herbal aromas
What is the ageing regulation for Chianti Classico DOCG?
Must be aged for 12 months
What is the ageing regulation for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
Must be aged for 24 months
At least 3 months of bottle ageing
What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines?
GRAN SELEZIONE
How may a Chianti Classico qualify for Gran Selezione status?
- Grapes must be sourced from a single estate
2. Wines must be aged for six months longer than Riserva (30 months)
What is the oaking regulation for all Chianti?
There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer
IT IS STATED ON P.127, BUT I’M NOT CONVINCED WHETHER THIS IS CORRECT….
What is the reality regarding oak ageing for Chianti wines?
The vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release
Name all Chianti appellation in order (4)
- Chianti DOCG
- Chianti Classico DOCG
- Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
- Chianti Classico (Riserva) Gran Selezione
What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany? (2)
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
2. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Describe the general difference between wines from Southern Tuscany (e.g. Brunello) and from further north
intensity, body
- More intense
- Fuller-bodied than those from Chianti
What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
- 100% Sangiovese
- Aged least five years before release
- Aged at least two years in oak
What are the key stipulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
- Can be a Sangiovese blend
- Aged at least 2 years before release
What may producers of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG do if the vintage is particularly poor.
They can declassify their wines to DOC
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Describe the Tuscan coast
It is relatively FLAT and cooled by SEA BREEZE
What kinds of varieties are grown on the Tuscan coast?
Black BORDEAUX varieties and a number of other international varieties
What was the first Super-Tuscan made from?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What was groundbreaking about the first Super-Tuscan?
It was sold at a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status
Why were Super-Tuscans so important?
They were a turning point for Italian wines as they re-established Italy’s reputation for excellence
What varieties go into Super-Tuscans?
Typically international varieties, but sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend
How are Super-Tuscans usually labelled? (3)
- Toscana IGT
- Bolgheri DOC
- Maremma Toscana DOC
What is special about Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?
The relatively new appellations permit 100% NON-Italian varieties.
e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah
Where is Umbria?
Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche
What is Umbria’s best known wine?
Orvieto DOC
What are the main grapes in Orvieto DOC?
WHITE:
- Grechetto
- Trebbiano
Often, a few other local grapes are included
Describe Orvieto DOC wines
body, acidity, flavours
- Light body
- Medium to high acidity
- Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
What grape dominates in the best Orvieto?
Grechetto
How are Orvieto wines vinified?
oxygen, fermation, vessel
- Protectively
- Cool fermentation
- Stainless steel
What is Umbria’s most prestigious RED wine?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Made from Sagrantino
What is the best known wine of Lazio?
Frascati DOC
Where are the vineyards of Frascati DOC?
The HILLS to the south of ROME
What are the growing conditions like in Frascati DOC?
Vineyards are cooled by ALTITUDE and a number of small nearby LAKES
What are the WHITE grapes of Frascati DOC? (2)
WHITE
- Malvasia
- Trebbiano
Describe wines of Frascati DOC
style, body, acidity, aroma/flavour
- Fresh and fruity in style
- Medium body
- Medium to high acidity
- Flavours of citrus fruit, with Malvasia sometimes providing floral, orange blossom aromas
Where is Marche?
On the eastern side of the Apennines
What wines is Marche best known for?
VERDICCHIO
What is Marche’s most famous wine from the Verdicchio grape?
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Describe wines from the Verdicchio grape
acidity, aroma/flavours, aroma aged
- 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
What varieties are Marche’s red wines typically made from? (2)
Usually blends of
- Montepulciano
- Sangiovese
What is the best known of Marche’s RED blends?
Conero DOCG
Which region is below Marche?
Abruzzo
For which variety is Abruzzo most famous?
MONTEPULCIANO
What is Abruzzo’s most famous wine?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Describe wines from the Montepulciano grape
colour, tannin, acidity, flavours, oak
- High levels of colour
- High levels of 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
