C29 - Southern Italy /checked Flashcards
Describe the climate of Southern Italy
humidity, cooling factors (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
To which 2 areas of Southern Italy is grape-growing particularly important?
PUGLIA and SICILIA, where significant volumes of wine are made
What were the traditional training methods in the south of Italy?
Vines were BUSH-TRAINED low to the ground, with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn
What kind of training is now most common in Southern Italy?
CORDON training and trellising
What are the benefits of cordon training and trellising in Puglia in particular?
These newer techniques allow for MECHANISATION on Puglia’s flat plain
What Region is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south of Italy
CAMPANIA
What is the landscape like in Campania?
A varied landscape with mountains, valleys and coastal plains
What does Campania’s varied landscape mean viticulturally?
That a WIDE RANGE of black and white varieties can be grown here
Which 2 varieties arguably produce the best whites in Campania?
- Fiano
2. Greco
What Campania appellations produce the best examples of Fiano and Greco respectively? (2)
- Fiano d’Avellino DOCG
2. Greco di Tufo DOCG
Describe wines made from Fiano
body, acidity, aroma/flavour, oak, aroma/flavour aged
- 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
Describe wines from Greco (compared to Fiano)
body, acidity, aroma/flavour, aroma/flavour aged
- Leaner in body than Fiano
- More acidity than Fiano
- Green apple, stone fruit and passionfruit flavours
- The best examples age in bottle to develop aromas of honey and mushrooms
Describe winemaking for wines from Greco grapes
- mostly fermented in stainless steel
- some use of old oak and techniques such as lees-stirring to enhance texture
What is the most prestigious BLACK grape of Campania?
AGLIANICO
Describe Aglianico wines from Campania
colour, acidity, tannin, aroma/flavour, aroma/flavour aged
- Deep colour
- High acidity
- High tannins
- Flavours of black fruit
- Matured in oak and can age in bottle to develop earthy, forest floor notes
What Campania DOCG is considered the best Aglianico ?
Taurasi DOCG
Describe Basilicata
- Extremely MOUNTAINOUS region where vineyards can reach 900 metres, especially on the HIGH PLAIN that surrounds the extinct volcano of MONTE VULTURE
What is the principal grape of Basilicata?
AGLIANICO
What Basilicata DOCG is considered the best Aglianico?
Aglianico del Vulture DOCG
Describe Puglia
A vast agricultural area where large volumes of grapes are grown
What colour grapes dominate Puglia?
Why?
Black grapes
Because of Puglia’s hot climate
What are the most notable grapes of Puglia? (2)
- Negroamaro
2. Primitivo
Describe Puglia’s grapes when grown at high altitudes.
How are they classified (what PGI)?
- simple, fruity wines for early drinking
Puglia IGT
Under what circumstances can Negroamaro produce high quality wines in Puglia?
When yields are controlled
Describe higher quality wines from Negroamaro
body, tannin, acidity, alcohol, aroma/flavour
- Full-bodied
- Medium tannins
- Medium acidity
- High alcohol
- Baked red and black fruit flavours
What Puglia DOCG is considered the best Negroamaro?
Salice Salentino DOC
Describe the best examples of Primitivo
body, tannin, acidity, alcohol, aroma/flavour
- Full-bodied
- Medium tannins
- Medium acidity
- High alcohol
- Pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit
What appellation are most Sicily’s wines categorised as?
IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane
What appellation are Sicily’s wines categorised as if yields are lowered slightly? (quality higher)
Sicilia DOC
What is the dominant black grape in Sicily’s most produced wines?
NERO D’AVOLA
Describe wines of Nero d’Avola
body, tannin, acidity, aroma/flavour
- 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
What style are local white varieties usually made into in Sicilia?
oak, flavour
- Unoaked
- Displaying citrus and stone fruit flavours
Beside Nero d’Avola, what international varieties are planted in Sicilia?
Which is particularly successful?
Chardonnay and Syrah
Syrah
How are Etna DOC wine grapes grown?
vines, location
From old, low-yielding vines at high altitude
What varieties are the reds of Etna DOC made from? (2)
- Nerello Mascalese
2. Nerello Cappuccio
Describe wines of Etna DOC
acidity, tannin, aroma/flavour, aroma/flavour aged
- High acidity
- High tannin
- Fragrant wines. Aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries and raspberries, sometimes with dried herbs
- With age mushroom-like aromas can develop
Describe the high quality white wines of Etna DOC
body, acidity, aroma/flavour, aroma/flavour aged
- Medium body
- High acidity
- Citrus fruit, often with a stony/steely character
- Develop aromas of honey and wax with bottle age
