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Micky WSET Lv3 > C28 - Central Italy - completed > Flashcards

C28 - Central Italy - completed Flashcards

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 the hot climate 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 (of both French and Italian origin)

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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
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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

- e.g. 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, blend of 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
  • naturally 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
68
Q

Where are the wine regions in Central Italy?

A
  • Tuscany
  • Umbria
  • Lazio
  • Marche
  • Abruzzo

Micky WSET Lv3 (46 decks)

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