C29 - Southern Italy

Question 1

What constitutes Southern Italy?

Answer 1

South of Lazio to the southern tip of the country, including the peninsula of Puglia and the island of Sicily

Question 2

Describe the climate of Southern Italy

Answer 2

Hot and dry inland
Becoming humid near the coast
Altitude provides relief from some of the heat for those vineyards based in the Apennines
Sea breezes cool the vineyards on the flatter terrain of the Puglian peninsula

Question 3

What is the principal economic activity in Southern Italy?

Answer 3

Agriculture

Question 4

To which areas of Southern Italy is grape-growing particularly important?

Answer 4

Puglia and Sicilia, where significant volumes of wine are made

Question 5

What were the traditional training methods in the south of Italy?

Answer 5

Vines were bush-trained low to the ground, with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn

Question 6

What kind of training is now most common in Southern Italy?

Answer 6

Cordon training and trellising

Question 7

What are the benefits of cordon training and trellising in Puglia in particular?

Answer 7

These newer techniques allow for mechanisation on Puglia’s flat plain

Question 8

…is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south of Italy

Answer 8

Campania

Question 9

What is the landscape like in Campania?

Answer 9

A varied landscape with mountains, valleys and coastal plains

Question 10

What does Campania’s varied landscape mean viticulturally?

Answer 10

That a wide range of black and white varieties can be grown here

Question 11

Which varieties arguably produce the best whites in Campania?

Answer 11

Fiano and Greco

Question 12

Where do the best examples of Fiano and Greco respectively come from?

Answer 12

The Campanian appellations of Fiano d’Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG

Question 13

Describe wines made from Fiano

Answer 13

Medium to full body
Medium acidity
Aromas of stone fruit, melons and mangos
Usually early drinking
Better example matured in oak and can be aged in bottle, developing notes of wax and honey

Question 14

Describe wines from Greco

Answer 14

Leaner in body than Fiano
More acidity than Fiano
Green apple, stone fruit and passionfruit flavours

Question 15

Describe winemaking for wines from Greco grapes

Answer 15

Most producers ferment their wines in stainless steel

Some use old oak and techniques such as lees-stirring to enhance texture

Question 16

How do Greco-based wines age?

Answer 16

The best examples age in bottle to develop aromas of honey and mushrooms

Question 17

What is the most prestigious black grape of Campania?

Answer 17

Aglianico

Question 18

Describe Aglianico wines from Campania

Answer 18

Deep colour
High acidity
High tannins
Flavours of black fruit
Matured in oak and can age in bottle to develop earthy, forest floor notes

Question 19

Where is Aglianico best in Campania?

Answer 19

Taurasi DOCG

Question 20

Where is Basilicata?

Answer 20

Just below Campania

Question 21

Describe Basilicata

Answer 21

An extremely mountainous region where vineyards can reach 900 metres, especially on the high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture

Question 22

What is the principal grape of Basilicata?

Answer 22

Aglianico

Question 23

What is considered to be the best wine of the Basilicata region?

Answer 23

Aglianico del Vulture DOCG

Question 24

Describe Puglia

Answer 24

A vast agricultural area where large volumes of grapes are grown

Question 25

What kind of climate does Puglia have?

Answer 25

Hot

Question 26

What kind of grapes dominate Puglia? Why?

Answer 26

Black grapes | Because of Puglia's hot climate

Question 27

What are the most notable grapes of Puglia?

Answer 27

Negroamaro | Primitivo

Question 28

Describe Puglia's grapes when grown at high altitudes. How are they sold?

Answer 28

They produce simple, fruity wines for early drinking | Puglia IGT

Question 29

Under what circumstances can Negroamaro produce high quality wines in Puglia?

Answer 29

When yields are controlled

Question 30

Describe higher quality wines from Negroamaro

Answer 30

``` Full-bodied Medium tannins Medium acidity High alcohol Baked red and black fruit flavours ```

Question 31

Where do many of the best examples of Negroamaro in Puglia come from?

Answer 31

Salice Salentino DOC

Question 32

Describe the best examples of Primitivo

Answer 32

``` Full-bodied Medium tannins Medium acidity High alcohol Pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit ```

Question 33

In what respect is Sicily like Puglia?

Answer 33

It grows vast quantities of grapes

Question 34

Into which appellation do most of Sicily's grapes get made?

Answer 34

IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane

Question 35

Into which appellation do most of Sicily's grapes get made if yields are lowered slightly?

Answer 35

Sicilia DOC

Question 36

What is the dominant black grape in Sicily's most produced wines?

Answer 36

Nero d'Avola

Question 37

Describe wines of Nero d'Avola

Answer 37

Medium to full-bodied wines Medium tannins Medium acidity Aromas of plums and black cherries Usually made into a fruity, early-drinking style From best producers they are more concentrated and complex

Question 38

Describe how local white varieties are usually sold in Sicilia

Answer 38

As varietal or blended wines

Question 39

What style are local white varieties usually made into in Sicilia?

Answer 39

Unoaked | Displaying citrus and stone fruit flavours

Question 40

What other varieties are planted in Sicilia? Which is particularly successful?

Answer 40

Chardonnay and Syrah | Syrah

Question 41

From which appellation do some of the best wines of Sicily come?

Answer 41

Etna DOC

Question 42

How are Etna DOC wine grapes grown?

Answer 42

From old, low-yielding vines at high altitude

Question 43

What are the reds of Etna DOC made from?

Answer 43

Nerello Mascalese | Nerello Cappuccio

Question 44

How are the black varieties of Etna DOC vinified? What do these wines taste like?

Answer 44

``` They are blended together Fragrant wines High acidity High tannin Aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries and raspberries, sometimes with dried herbs ```

Question 45

Describe Etna DOC wines with bottle age

Answer 45

High tannins soften | Mushroom-like aromas can develop

Question 46

Describe the high quality white wines of Etna DOC

Answer 46

Medium body High acidity Citrus fruit, often with a stony/steely character Develop aromas of honey and wax with bottle age