Campania: Terroir, Grapes Flashcards
Where is Campania located?
This region is in the southwest portion of Italy and faces the Tyrrhenia Sea. Lazio is lies to the northwest, Molise to the north, Puglia to the northeast, and Basilicata is situated to the southeast.
The coastline extends for more than 200mi/350km from Lazio to Basilicata.
The famous island of Capri and the volcanic islands of Ischia and Procida are situated not too far offshore.
Which region has the highest population density in all of Italy?
Campania
What is the capital of Campania?
Napoli; and it is the third-most populated city in the country. Its port ranks among Italy’s largest and most important.
What are the 4 historic sub-regions of Campania?
- Sannio
- Irpinia
- Cilento
- Terra di Lavoro
Although this region is officially divided into administrative provinces today, these 4 historic sub-regions have developed as different cultural entities over time.
Describe the topography of Campania.
This region has a varied and irregular topography. The coast alternates between flat plains with steep rocky cliffs and coastal hills.
Inland consists of alternating mountain ranges, hills, valleys and plateaus.
More than 80% of the region comprises hills and mountains.
* 51% Hills
* 34% Mountains
* 15% Plains
Where are the majority of the vineyards planted in Campania?
The hills, which are generally clustered around the mountain ranges with countless variations in exposition and elevation.
Some of these hills even exceed 2,300ft/700m in elevation.
What is the principal and longest river in Italy?
Volturno River; it is also the principal and longest river in Campania.
Name the rivers of Campania.
- Volturno River: principal & longest in the region and in Italy.
- Calore River (Calore Irpino): Flows inland before emptying into the Volturno
How is it that Campania boasts some of Italy’s latest harvests for dry wines whilst sitting between the 40th and 41st parallel north?
Altitude plays a significant role in determining local temperatures, despite the expectation of a Mediterranean climate at this latitude.
How late are the grapes in Campania harvested?
White grapes such as Fiano and Greco are usually harvested in October.
The red Aglianico can be picked as late as November.
What are the seasons like across the region of Campania?
The coastal band benefits from mild winters and warm summers. Temperatures are partially moderated by the Tyrrhenian Sea and its breezes.
Conditions in the hilly and mountainous inland areas become more continental in nature, with significant diurnal temperature swings due to high elevations and the presence of the Southern Apennines. Winters are colder and more humid inland. Summer temperatures are tempered by elevation. In autumn and winter, fog is common throughout most areas including Irpinia and Sannio which can experience winter snow.
How much rainfall does Campania receive?
Levels are relatively ample for such a southern Mediterranean region.
Several coastal and central areas reach annual rainfall levels in excess of 35-39in/900-1,000mm.
Some inland mountainous areas receive more than 59in/1,500mm per year.
Rainfall is concentrated during autumn and winter.
How do the temperatures compare across the region of Campania?
Warmer along the coast with an annual average range of 57°F-61°F (14°C-16°C).
Inland temperatures are lower with an annual
average of 52°F-55°F (11-13°C).
What are the soil types found in Campania?
Areas surround the volcanos have volcanic soils formed by lava, lapilli, pumice, ash, tuff and other pyroclastic material. These materials have been transported to other areas by winds.
Other areas are a combination of volcanic soils with other soil types such as limestone, sandstone and calcareous clay.
How has the soil composition in Campania contributed toward the benefit of ungrafted vines?
Areas with a large presence of loose volcanic soils have prevented the wholesale spread of phylloxera; consequently old and ungrafted vines are common.
How many indigenous grape varieties exist in Campania?
At least 100; it is believed that many undiscovered varieties still exist within its borders.
Only a small number have been meticulously studied and many have yet to be listed in the Italian National Registry of Grapes.
How is it that so many indigenous varieties were able to survive this long in Campania?
Some survived phylloxera thanks to loose, volcanic soils.
Others, because farmers were not in an economic position to uproot existing vine stocks and replant with trendier varieties.
How much do red grapes account for the total area under vine compared to white?
60% red
However, there has been a steady increase in the plantings of native white grapes over the past several years.
Rank the grapes planted in Campania from widest to least.
- Aglianico (28%)
- Falanghina (12%)
- Barbera (6%)
- Sangiovese (5%)
- Malvasia Bianco di Candia (5%)
- Fiano (4%)
- Piedirosso (3%)
-
Greco (3%)
Others (34%)
Name the native and traditional red varieties of Campania.
- Aglianico
- Piedirosso
- Casavecchia
Others:
* Montepulciano
* Sciascinoso
* Olivella Nera
* Pallagrello Nero
* Primitivo
* Greco Nero
* Lambrusco Maestri
* Malvasia Nera
* Barbera del Sannio (renamed to Camaiola)
* Tintore
* Aglianicone
* Guarnaccia
Erratus: Barbera del Sannio renamed Camaiola to avoid confusion.
Which variety is one of Italy’s noble red grapes and is Campania’s greatest red variety?
Aglianico; it is generally believed to be native to southern Italy.
What are the characteristics of the Aglianico grape?
- thick-skinned
- ripens very late
- suffers during hot conditions & periods of drought
- performs well on hillsides
- performs well in volcanic soils
Which wine is nicknamed the “Barolo of the South” and why?
Aglianico
It is notably high in tannin and acidity. Oak and bottle aging are important to make it more approachable.
What are the characteristics of wines made from Aglianico?
Dark, powerful, full-bodied and high in alcohol yet lifted by high acidity. They are long-lived and develop further complexity with bottle age.
