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.
Which variety is also known as Per ‘e Palummo in local dialect?
Piedirosso; this nickname translates to “pigeon’s foot”.
This ancient grape is native to Campania and is almost exclusively planted there.
It is the most important native red grape after Aglianico, with which it is sometimes blended.
What does the Piedirosso grape bring to blends with Aglianico?
Perfume and softness.
However, varietal bottlings are now becoming increasingly more common.
Although Piedirosso is found throughout Campania, where is its true home?
Napoli
What does Piedirosso mean?
‘Red foot’; it refers to the colour of the stem (red) when ripe. It looks similar to the red feet of pigeons.
This grapes other nicknames translate to “pigeon’s foot” and are:
* Per ‘e Palummo
* Piede di Colombo
Which grape variety is referred to in local oral history that speaks of a centenarian vine found at the end of the 19th century just outside the ruins of an old house near Pontelatone?
Casavecchia
“Casa vecchia” means ‘old house’ in Italian.
Where is the Casavecchia variety planted in Campania?
Only recently discovered, this promising grape is limited to the area around the village of Pontelatone near Caserta.
What are the characteristics of wines made from Casavecchia?
Full-bodied with dense tannins and moderate acidity.
Name the native and traditional white varieties of Campania.
- Falanghina
- Greco
- Fiano
- Coda di Volpe Bianca
- Biancolella
- Asprinio
Others:
Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia Bianca, Moscato Bianco, Forastera, Pallagrello Bianco, Caprettone, Catalanesca, Coglionara, Ginestra, Coda di Pecora, Verdeca, Roviello (Greco Muscio), Pepella, Fenile, Ripolo.
Which of Campania’s grapes is the most widely planted white variety and is grown in all of the region’s wine districts?
Falanghina
It is vinified as both a varietal and as a component of a blend in most of the region’s white wine appellations.
Where does Falanghina derive its name from?
Possibly from the Latin phalangae meaning stake, in reference to the ancient method of supporting these vines.
This is one of Campania’s most ancient grapes.
Falanghina’s vineyard acreage was severely reduced by phylloxera in the early 20th century. Who were the pioneering producers responsible for bringing it back to popularity?
- Villa Matilde
- Grotta del Sole
- Mustilli
Name the 2 distinct Falanghina grapes?
- Falanghina Flegrea: the Falanghina of historic repute. It is widespread in the provinces of Napoli and Caserta, particularly in the Falerno del Massico and Camp Flegrei DOCs.
- Falanghina Beneventana: recently identified. It is more common in the Benevento province, specifically in the Falangina del Sannio DOC.
How are the 2 different Falanghinas distinguished on wine labels?
They’re not. The National Registry of Grapes does not distinguish between the two Falanghinas and neither do DOC regulations or the official Italian census.
Therefore, only the name Falanghina will appear in printed materials.
Many producers nowadays often grow both types and wines may be a blend of the two.
What are the characteristics of wines made from Falanghina?
Crisp acidity and delicate floral and aromatic herbal notes such as broom and sage along with apple, pear, stone and tropical fruits.
What styles of wine are produced from Falanghina?
The majority are still, dry and unoaked and released just a few months after harvest.
This varities great versatility and marked acidity make it suitable for the production of sparkling and sweet wine styles.
Which grape variety is among the most ancient in Campania and its home is in Irpinia around the village of Tufo?
Greco
Note: This is a distinct variety from Calabria’s Greco Bianco.
Why is Greco a difficult variety?
In the vineyard, it is:
* prone to fungal diseases
* late ripening
It must be handled carefully during vinification b/c of its:
* high polyphenol content
* tendency to oxidize
* penchant for producing high levels of volatile acidity
What are the characteristics of wines made from Greco?
Well-structured with marked acidity and a round, full-bodied texture.
Often they demonstrate an almost tannic mouthfeel.
The best examples benefit from bottle age.
Several grapes in central/southern Italy are called Greco or Grechetto. Where does this name originate?
These grapes were thought to be of Greek origin. However, DNA profiling has proven that there is no kinship between these grapes and the modern grapes of Greece.
These names probably reference the ancient Greek style of sweet wine. These were very popular during the Middle Ages and many of the grapes used to produce these wines ended up being called Greco or Grechetto.
Which is Campania’s most noble white grape variety and among Italy’s finest?
Fiano
Where is Fiano native to?
It is generally believed that this grape is native to Irpinia’s town of Lapio.
Who is Antonio Mastroberardino?
He was an iconice Campanian producer who saved the Fiano grape in the 1940s.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Fiano?
Floral notes of linden and acacia, with citrus, apple and pear fruit, and nuances of herbs, moss, hazelnut, all accented by a touch of balsam, honey and mineral.
This wine ages particularly well and benefits from bottle age, developing complexity and more intense flinty, smoky, toasty notes.
Where does the Coda di Volpe Bianca variety get its name from?
Its name means ‘white foxtail’ and referts to the shape of the cluster which looks quite similar to the tail of a fox.
Why is it that harvest time for Coda di Volpe Bianca must be carefully timed?
The grape usually has moderate acidity. This careful timing is crucial, lest it lose too much acidity.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Coda di Volpe Bianca?
Wines range from austere and mineral to rich and full.
Which variety is considered native to the volcanic island of Ischia?
Biancolella
On Ischia, breathtaking vineyards overlooking the sea produce the best examples.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Biancolella?
Usually moderate in alcohol and acidity. The wines typically have a saline finish.
Which variety has recently been found to be a biotype of Greco through the process of DNA profiling?
Asprinio
For now, the two varieties remain as distinct varieties in the National Registry of Grapes.
Where does Asprinio get its name from?
The name coms from the Italian word aspro (tart) and refers to the sharp and acidic character of these wines.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Asprinio?
Light-bodied with moderate alcohol. Naturally high acidity.
The high acidity makes it ideal for the production of sparkling wines.
How are the vines trained in Campania?
Traditional systems used were tendone, pergola and alberata (vines trained on or between trees). These have largely been abandoned.
Modern training methods have gradually replaced tradition, such as Guyot and Cordone Speronato.
Some traditional systems, such as the overhead pergola and alberata methods can still be found and are often ungrafted and more than a century old.
How much area do vineyards cover in Campania?
More than 50,000ac/20,000ha.
Campania contributes what percentage of wine to Italy’s total wine production?
Approx. 4%.
What percentage of Campania’s total vineyard areas comprises small land holdings?
Almost 80%; on average, each holding is less than 12ac/5ha/
What percentage of the total wine production in Campania is DOC/G, IGT and generic wine?
- < 20% DOC/G
- ~10% IGT
- 70% Generic wine w/o origin
While the DOC/G is well below the national average, it is steadily increasing and has doubled in volume in the last ten years.
How many DOCGs and DOCs are there in Campania?
- 4 DOCGs
- 15 DOCs
As of 2016.
