C28 - Central Italy - completed Flashcards
Describe the topography of Central Italy
South of the Po valley, the wine regions here are dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the Italian peninsula
Where in Central Italy are grapes usually planted?
In the hills and valleys of the Apennine Mountain range
How is the hot climate generally moderated within Central Italy?
Either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills or coastal sea breezes
Where in Italy is Tuscany?
Stretching down the western coast of Central Italy
How can Tuscany be topographically divided?
Into three parts:
- The mountainous 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?
- 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
What kind of oak containers are used to age Sangiovese in Tuscany?
Small barrels and/or larger casks
What aromas can Sangiovese develop with bottle age?
Meaty and gamey aromas
What colour of grapes is grown in Tuscany?
Predominantly red, but some white is grown
Where in Italy is Chianti?
In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena
How is Chianti divided?
Into seven sub-zones
What is the dominant grape of Chianti?
Sangiovese
True of False: Wines of Chianti are often blends
True (of both French and Italian origin)
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?
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?
- Chianti Rufina DOCG
- Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
What is unusual about Chianti Classico?
It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti
Describe the vineyards of Chianti Classico
At higher altitudes than those of Chianti
What is the effect of Chianti Classico’s higher vineyards?
- Greater acidity
- More herbal aromas
What is the role of ageing on Chianti Classico?
Must be aged for 12 months before release
What is the role of ageing for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
Must be aged for 24 months, with 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
- Wines must be aged for six months longer than Riserva
What is the role of oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?
There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer
What is the reality regarding oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?
The vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release
Describe the vineyards of Southern Tuscany
- Lower than the north
- Warmer climate
- Cool, maritime breezes from south-west
What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Describe the general difference between wines from this part of Tuscany and from further north
More intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti
What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello?
- The wines must be entirely Sangiovese
- Must be aged for at least five years before release, with at least two years in oak
What are the key stipulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
- Can be a blend of Sangiovese and other permitted varieties
- Must be aged for a minimum of two years before release
What may producers of Brunello or VNdM do with their legal classifications? Give an example of when they might do this?
- They can declassify they wines to DOC
- e.g. If the vintage is particularly poor
What will Brunello or VNdM become if declassified?
- Rosso di Montalcino DOC
- Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Describe the Tuscan coast
It is relatively flat and cooled by sea-breezes
What kinds of varieties are grown on the Tuscan coast?
Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international varieties
In which area did the first ‘Super-Tuscan’ come about?
The coast
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?
- Toscana IGT
- Bolgheri DOC
- Maremma Toscana DOC
What is special about Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?
The relatively new appellations permit wines to be made from entirely non-Italian varieties, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah
What is the climate of Umbria?
Similar to Tuscany’s but more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean
Where is Umbria?
Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche on the respective coasts
What is Umbria’s best known wine?
Orvieto DOC
What is Orvieto?
A white wine, blend of Grechetto, Trebbiano and often, a few other local grapes
Describe Orvieto DOC wines
- Light body
- Medium to high acidity
- Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
How are the best examples of Orvieto often composed?
They tend to be the examples with the most Grechetto in the blend
How are Orvieto wines vinified?
They are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel
What is Umbria’s most prestigious wine?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
What is Sagrantino di Montefalco made from?
The thick-skinned Sagrantino grape
What is the next region to the south of Tuscany?
Lazio
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 grapes of Frascati DOC?
Malvasia and Trebbiano
Describe wines of Frascati DOC
- 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?
White wines made from Verdicchio
What is Marche’s most famous wine from the Verdicchio grape?
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Describe wines from the Verdicchio grape
- 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
What are Marche’s red wines typically made from?
Usually blends of Montepulciano and 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
- 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
Where are the wine regions in Central Italy?
- Tuscany
- Umbria
- Lazio
- Marche
- Abruzzo
