Campania

Question 1

Where is Campania

Answer 1

South of Lazio and sits between the med sea and the Apennine Mountains.

Question 2

Where are most vines in Campania planted

Answer 2

Most viticulture is on slopes at altitudes of 200-600m

Question 3

What was Campania famous for and now what is it known for (grape varieties)

Answer 3

Famous for Quality and ability to age wine
3 white local varieties; Falanghina, Greco and Fiano, plus black grape Aglianico (Taurasi DOCG)

Question 4

What is the climate of Campania

Answer 4

Warm Mediteranean, inland planted on slopes up to 600m = cooling influence. Many grapes are late ripening. Frost is a threat, esp vines planted on lower slopes.

Question 5

3 Main Soil types in Campania?

Answer 5

1. Limestone and Clay in the Hills = good balance between drainage and water retention
2. Volcanic and sandy soil around Naples
   3.Alluvial sediments in large area between Naples and Benevento.

Question 6

What 3 x DOC/G will you find in Limestone/Clay soil in the hills

Answer 6

1. Fiano di Avellino DOCG (White, Fiano grape)
2. Greco di Tufo DOCG (White, made with Greco)
3. Taurasi DOCG (Red with Aglianico)

Question 7

What 2 x DOC will you find in Volcanic/Sandy Soil

Answer 7

1. Campi Flegrei DOC (Mostly made from Falanghina for whites, Piedirosso for Rosé/Reds) Lower alcohol wines 12-13% as windier max 84hl/ha
2. Vesuvio DOC (includes Lacryma Christi) from Coda di Hope (white) and Piedirosso

Question 8

What 1 x DOC and 1 x IGP will you find in Alluvial Sediments

Answer 8

Sannio DOC and Beneventano IGP

Question 9

Describe Falanghina

Answer 9

1. Long considered a Workhorse variety
2. Most widely grown white grape in Campania
3. Rise in popularity worldwide since 1980s esp in hospitality
4. Good resistance to disease
5. Harvest date important due to shrivelling
6. mid-late ripening, risk of autumn rain
7. Falanghina del Sannio, largest DOC = 1/3 of plantings.

Question 10

Falangina Tasting `note

Answer 10

Medium intensity apple and white peach
herbaceous notes; grass
medium+ acidity
Mostly unoaked
Acceptable to v good Quality
inexpensive to mid-priced

Question 11

Describe Greco

Answer 11

1. Challenging Grape
2. `prone to Grey Rot and mildew, low vigour and productivity
3. Tolerant of heat and drought resistant, suited to warmer region
4. Trained with Guyot system or cordon-trained and spur-pruned, allows for some mechanisation on less steep slopes
5. Picked in October = long season to develop flavour

Question 12

Greco di Tufo Tasting Note?

Answer 12

Deep Lemon
High alcohol with oily texture,
floral, stone fruit and smoky notes
can age in bottle
quality is good with some outstanding, mid-price/premium

Question 13

Describe Fiano di Avellino DOCG

Answer 13

1. 1/3 plantings of Falanghina
2. Potential for High Quality (70 hL/ha)
3. Guyot and Cordons with VSP commonly used
4. Sensitive to Mildew
5. Thick skins so can resist botrytis even tho late ripening

Question 14

Fiano di Avellino DOCG tasting note

Answer 14

Med- to Medium Intensity of floral, peach, hazelnut aromas
Med+ Body
Med to Med+ Acidity and waxy texture
Different Expressions vs Different Soils:
Lighter, fruitier from open, sandy soils (fast drainage)
Weightier wines from clay soils (water retaining)
Quality - V Good to Outstanding, mid-price to Premium
Can age 8-10 yrs in bottle
Aged in S/S Tanks, some aged in wood

Question 15

Describe Aglianico

Answer 15

Black Variety
early budding (frost risk), late ripening
Long season to ripen tannins
Vigorous, yields need to be controlled for quality
Prone to Botrytis so vulnerable to late rain
Planted on spurred cordons, or cane-pruned w/VSP = allows some mechanisation

Question 16

Taurasi DOCG Tasting note

Answer 16

Med+ to pronounced Rose, Red Plum and blackberry aromas
high Acidity
High tannins (softened by hi Quality small barrels or long ageing in traditional oak casks, plus bottle age
High Quality on cooler slopes 200–600m) = longer season, more intense flavours
Must be 85% Aglianico
DOCG requires 3 yrs ageing
min of 1 in wood (4 yrs incl 18m for riserva)
For fully ripe skins & pips, grapes are picked end of Oct/Nov.
Long maceration on skins (20 days +)
French barriques/large oak casks
Quality: Good/Outstanding, mid to premium priced.
Sales Italy & USA

Question 17

Describe Piedirosso

Answer 17

Old Campania red variety
makes pale ruby wines with fresh, med (+) acidity, medium tannins and red plum and red cherry fruit.
Grown mainly around Naples
Adapted to heat and drought
only 600ml rain and windy conditions = no powdery/downy mildew
phylloxera present, but sandy soil = doesn’t spread
previously trained high but now guyot for better fruit quality and greater fruit concentration.
Harvested late but wines have 12-13%abv
Adds perfume and freshness to Aglianico wines
mid-priced to premium

Question 18

Name the 2 x DOCs made from Piedrosso

Answer 18

Campi Flagri DOC
Vesuvio DOC
at least 50% of grapes, but mostly 100%

Question 19

Wine Business:
Which company played a significant role in recovery and commercialisation of Campanian varieties?

Answer 19

Mastroberadino

Question 20

What is the name of the large Co-Op in Benevento (1000 members) that makes about 15% of production?

Answer 20

La Guardiense

Question 21

Exports increased significantly to 2019 at what rate?

Answer 21

twice the rate of Italian wine exports as a whole