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WSET 3 - Geoff > C28 - Central Italy (reviewed) > Flashcards

C28 - Central Italy (reviewed) Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the topography and climate 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
  • Grapes are planted in the hills and valleys of the Apennine Mountain range
  • Hot climate moderated either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills or coastal sea breezes
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2
Q

Where in Italy is Tuscany? Describe its topographically

A

Stretching down the western coast of Central Italy and divided into three parts:

  1. The mountainous Chianti region in the north
  2. The hills and valleys to the south
  3. The flat coastal plain
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3
Q

What are the key subregions and DOC/DOCG of Tuscany?

A

Chianti (Sangiovese)

  • Chianti DOCG
  • Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Souther Tuscany - (Sangiovese)

  • Brunelo Di Montalcino DOCG
  • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

The Coast - (international varieties)

  • Toscana IGT
  • Bolgheri DOC
  • Maremma Toscana DOC
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4
Q

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

A

Sangiovese

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5
Q

What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in Tuscany?

A
  • Late ripening
  • High acidity
  • High tannins
  • Aromas of red cherries, plums and dried herbs
  • Usually aged in oak to soften tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours
  • With age, develops meaty and gamey aromas
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6
Q

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

A

Small barrels and/or larger casks

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7
Q

What colour of grapes is grown in Tuscany?

A

Predominantly red, but some white is grown

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8
Q

Describe Chianti region

A
  • In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena
  • Chianti Classico DOCG usually at higher altitues, slowing down the ripening of Sangiovese
  • Divided into seven sub-zones
  • Mostly Sangiovese but often Chianti are blends
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9
Q

How will producers usually label their wines in Chianti DOCG?

A

Large producing vienyards:

  • Grape sourced from the greater region - Chianti DOCG

Higher quality:

  • Label their wines with the name of the sub-zone (Depending on where the grapes are from)
  • Best known Sub-zones:
    • Chianti Rufina DOCG
    • Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
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10
Q

What is unusual about Chianti Classico?

A

It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti

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11
Q

Describe Chianti Classico

A
  • At higher altitudes than those of Chianti
  • Greater acidity More herbal aromas
  • Must be aged for 12 months before release
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12
Q

Describe aging requirements for the different Chianti DOCG?

A

Chianti Classico DOCG: at least 12 months before release

Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG: at least 24 months and at least 3 months of bottle ageing

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG: 30 months (for six months longer than Riserva)

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13
Q

What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines? Describe.

A
  • Gran Selezione
  • Grapes must be sourced from a single estate
  • Wines must be aged for six months longer than Riserva
  • There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer but the vast majority are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release
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14
Q

Describe the vineyards and climate of Southern Tuscany

A
  • Lower altitude than the north
  • Warmer climate
  • Some cool, maritime breezes from south-west
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15
Q

What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?

A
  • Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
  • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
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16
Q

Describe the general difference between wines from Southern Tuscany and from Chianti

A

More intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti

17
Q

What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello and VNdM?

A

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG:

  • The wines must be entirely Sangiovese
  • Must be aged for at least 5 years before release, with at least 2 years in oak

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

  • Can be a blend of Sangiovese and other permitted varieties
  • Must be aged for at least2 years before release
18
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 their wines to DOC If the vintage is particularly poor or if the vines are young
  • Rosso di Montalcino DOC Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
19
Q

Describe the Tuscan coast

A
  • It is relatively flat and cooled by sea-breezes
  • Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international varieties are planted
  • It is where the Super Tuscan came from - first one made from Cabernet Sauvignon
20
Q

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

A

The coast

21
Q

Describe Super-Tuscan

A
  • First Super Tuscan was sold at a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status
  • They were a turning point for Italian wines as they re-established Italy’s reputation for excellence
  • Typically international varieties, but sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend
  • Can be labelled: Toscana IGT, Bolgheri DOC, Maremma Toscana DOC
22
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

23
Q

What is the climate of Umbria?

A

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

24
Q

Describe Umbria

A

Located in Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche on the respective coasts

Most famous wine is Orvieto DOC - white wine

  • Grechetto, Trebbiano and often, a few other local grapes (Best examples have more Grechetto)
  • Made protectively, cool fermentation in stainless steel
  • Light body
  • Medium to high acidity
  • Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
25
Q

What is Umbria’s most prestigious red wine?

A

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG made from the thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

26
Q

What is the next region to the south of Tuscany?

A

Lazio

27
Q

Describe Frascati

A

Most famous region is Frascati DOC

  • Located in the hills to the south of Rome
  • Vineyards are cooled by altitude and a number of small nearby lakes
  • Grape varieties - Malvasia and Trebbiano

Wines are:

  • Fresh and fruity in style
  • Medium body
  • Medium to high acidity
  • Flavours of citrus fruit, with Malvasia sometimes providing floral, orange blossom aromas
28
Q

Describe Marche

A
  • Located on the eastern side of the Apennines
  • Known for white wines made from Verdicchio
  • Most famous wine - Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
  • Red wines: Usually blends of Montepulciano & Sangiovese: Conero DOCG

White Wines from Verdicchio

  • High acidity
  • Green apple and lemon, sometimes fennel & almonds notes
  • Usually simple and fruity, but the best have greater concentration and can develop notes of honey and almonds with bottle age
29
Q

Which region is below Marche?

A

Abruzzo

30
Q

Describe Abruzzo region

A
  • Located just below Marche on the Ardiatic sea shore
  • Most faomous for Montepulciano grape / Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

Wines of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC:

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

WSET 3 - Geoff (45 decks)

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