Campania** Flashcards
What is the most common rootstock used in Campania?
Campania is unique in that many of its vines are planted on their own rootstocks. The Phylloxera louse cannot survive in Campania’s volcanic soils.
What are the DOCG appellations in Campania?
four DOCG appellations for the ancient wines of Taurasi, Fiano di Avellino, Taburno and Greco di Tufo [Falerno del Massico is not DOCG]
What are the most common international grape varieties used in Campania?
Infrequent. Campania has remained focused on native grapes and has planted very little international grape varieties. Campania has at least 100 different indigenous grape varieties.
What was Falernum wine?
It was by far the most renowned wine from ancient Rome, likely a white wine possibly produced from Falanghina, Greco or Aglianico grapes on the slopes of Mount Falernus near the border of Latium and Campania.
What was the most famous vintage of Falernian wine?
the spectacular vintage of 121 BC was known as Opinian, after the ruling consul Opimius
What is the Falerno del Massico DOC named for?
It was named for Mount Massico, where the Roman wine god Bacchus is said to have appeared in human form to an old farmer, Falernus.
What grapes are used in Falerno del Massico DOC ?
the principal(red) grapes are Aglianico, Piedirosso and Primitivo; the principal white grape is Falanghina.
When did Falerno del Massico gain DOC status?.
- [121 BCE is the year of the greatest vintage,989 is a paired palindrome of 121 totaling 1100.]
What is the myth of Bacchus and an old farmer, Falernus?
The Roman wine god Bacchus is said to have appeared in human form at Mount Massico to an old farmer, Falernus. The farmer gave Bacchus milk, fruit and honey and, as a reward for his kindness, Bacchus turned his milk into delectable wine and turned the nearby slopes into vineyards.
The role of the Greeks, Etruscans and Romans in the viticulture and winemaking of ancient Campania The historic sub-regions of Campania
The factors that influence the region’s climate
Campania’s dominant soil types
Key historical figures associated with the wines of Campania
The “need to know” grape varieties and their main characteristics
The key structural characteristics of Aglianico, Greco and Fiano.
Key figures/producers associated with specific “need to know” grape varieties The traditional vine training systems and where they are specifically adopted
What to know about DOC/DOCGs
Where the “need to know” appellations are situated within the region
The grape varieties and the principal wine styles of the “need to know” appellations The climate, topography and soils of the “need to know” appellations
The aging requirements of all the DOCGs
Key figures/producers associated with specific “need to know” appellations
Which region in Italy has the highest population density?
Campania
When did Greek settlers arrive in Campania?
8th century BCE
Who introduced bush trained vines to Campania?
Greeks, termed alberello
When did Etruscan settlers arrive in Campania?
7th century BCE
What training system was introduced to Campania by the Etruscans?
tree trained vines, alberata [T:tree, trained, alberaTa]
When did Samnites settlers arrive in Campania?
5th century BCE
What is Campania’s topographical structure?
51% hills, 34% mountains, 15% plains
What is the mix of red and white grapes in Campania?
60% red
What is the most planted grape in Campania?
Aglianico (28% of total)
What is the most planted white grape in Campania?
Falanghina (12% of total, Malvasia Bianca di Candia is 2nd most planted)
What is the role of non-traditional grapes in Campania?
Barbera, Sangiovese and Malvasia Blanca di Candia were planted in the 50’s for productivity, but now gradually decreasing in favor of native grapes
What is the most important native red grape after Aglianico in Campania?
Piedirosso
What is the etymology of Piedirosso?
red foot, refers to the color of the stem when ripe
Name 3 grapes from Campania that are decreasing in terms of relative plantings?
Barbera, Sangiovese and Malvasia Blanca di Candia
Name 3 grapes from Campania that are increasing in terms of relative plantings?
Fiano, Greco, Piedirosso
What are the typical tasting notes of Piedirosso wines?
pleasantly soft in overall mouth feel with bright, but integrated acidity demonstrating floral and red fruit aromas with underlying herbal notes; good blending partner for Aglianico
What are the typical tasting notes of Falanghina wines?
still, dry, unoaked, delicate floral notes and aromatic herbal notes with refreshing acidity
What are the variations of Falanghina?
two distinct varieties Flegrea and Beneventana [not biotypes, but different varieties]
Where would Falanghina Flegrea be most often found?
in Napoli and Caserta, particularly in the Falerno del Massico and Campi Flegrei DOC’s
Where would Falanghina Beneventana be most often found?
in Benevento province (aka Sannio), specifically in Falanghina del Sannio DOC
Where is the home of the the Greco grape?
village of Tufo to the north of Avellino in Irpinia
What are the challenges of making Greco wine?
prone to fungal disease; late ripening, high polyphenol content, tendency to oxidize; high levels of volatile acidity
What is Aminea Gemina Minor?
ancient Roman grape with a tendency to grow a noticeable second wing on its cluster, suggesting a possible link to Greco which does the same
What does the name Greco refer to in context of grape varieties known as Greco Something?
varities used to make sweet wine in the Ancient Greek style, not necessarily from Greece (Robinson)
What is Campania’s most noble white grape?
Fiano
Fiano is native to what area?
the town of Lapio in Irpinia
What is a distinction of the wine appellation of the town of Lapio?
It is one of a few Italian villages to be in two unrelated DOCG’s, Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Taurasi DOCG. [true also for Montefalcione (not Montefusco-near Tufo]
Who saved the Fiano grape?
Antonio Mastroberardino [P]
What nearly destroyed the Fiano grape?
phylloxera and the two world wars
Where is the Biancolella grape from?
native to volcanic island of Ischia in Campania
What are the tasting notes for Biancolella wine?
moderate in alcohol and acidity, aromas of Mediterranean broom with notes of citrus, herb, almond and sometimes tropical fruit
What is the reason for and the importance of Campania’s ampelographic diversity?
the limited effect of phylloxera in the volcanic soils did not decimate native grapes, 100 exist
What is the synonym of Asprinio?
Greco biotype
What is the synonym of Greco di Tufo in Caserta?
Asprinio
What is significance of Mastroberardino?
Antonio Mastroberardino is considered father of Campania’s modern wine industry, promoted native grapes, specifically saves the Fiano grape in the 1940’s. [P]
What is the significance of Aversa DOC?
(Asprinio di) Aversa DOC in Caserta is based on the local Asprinio (Greco) which can be trained high with Alberata Aversana and labeled as such on the bottles; link to ancient Etruscan influence
In which region of Italy is Aglianico grown?
mostly Basilicata and Campania.
Which Aglianco appellation is in Irpinia?
Taurasi DOCG [IrpInIa>taurasI]