Central Italy Flashcards

1
Q

Tuscany can generally be split into 3 areas. Describe each.

A

The northern part
・Mountainous and hilly
; this is where Chianti is.

The southern part
・Lower altitude hills and valleys
・Warmer than the northern part
= Wines can be more intense and fuller
・Cool maritime breezes from the south-west can moderate the temperatures.
; this is where Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is.

The coast
・Flat terrain that’s
・Cooled by sea breezes
; this is where Bolgheri is.

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2
Q

In Tuscany, ___ help provide coolness.

A

Altitude and sea breezes

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3
Q

Dominant grape variety in these three parts.

4,5,7,8,9

A

Sangiovese
4 High acidity
5 High tannin
7 Red cherries, plums and dried herbs, spicy flavours from oak.
8 With bottle age the wines develop meaty and gamey aromas.
9 Oaked (Both small barrels and larger casks)

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4
Q

What is the hierarchy of Chianti Classico and what is each level’s aging requirement?

A

From lowest to highest:

Chianti Classico
must be aged at least 12 months

Chianti Classico Riserva
must be aged at least 24 months and at least 3 month in bottle aging

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
must be aged at least 30 months

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5
Q

Chianti is situated in the ___ of the ___ between which cities?

A

foothills
Apennines
Pisa, Florence and Siena

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6
Q

What is the dominant grape varietal used in Chianti DOCG?

A

Sangiovese is the dominant grape used in Chianti DOCG, and the others allowed include other Italian red grapes and some French red grapes.

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7
Q

There are 7 subzones of Chianti DOCG.

Which two subzones have reputations for producing higher-quality Chianti?

A

Chianti Rùfina DOCG
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG

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8
Q

Is the Chianti Classico DOCG a subzone of Chianti DOCG?

A

No, Chianti Classico is not a subzone of Chianti.

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9
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG and Chianti DOCG
Difference and result

A

Chianti Classico is higher in altitude than Chianti DOCG.

= slowing the ripening of Sangiovese and resulting in wine with greater acidity and more herbal aromas.

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10
Q

In order to use the Gran Selezione designation, where do the grapes have to come from?

A

The grape must be sourced from a single estate.

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11
Q

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be ___% ___ and can only be released from the winery from ___.

A

100% Sangiovese
January of the fifth year after harvest.

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12
Q

What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?

A

Brunello di Montalcino must be aged at least 2 years in wooden vessels.

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13
Q

Grape varieties in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

A

Blend of…
Sangiovese (dominant grape)
+ Other permitted grapes

Aged for minimum of 2 years before it is sold.

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14
Q

Producers from both Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG can declassify their wines to ___.

A

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
/ Rosso di Montalcino DOC

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15
Q

Which 2 important DOCs can Tuscan producers use that allow for non-Italian grapes, such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon?

A

Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC

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16
Q

Under what designation (IGT, DOC, DOCG) are most Super Tuscans released?

A

IGT Toscana or IGT Rosso Toscana

17
Q

Tuscany is on which sea?

A

Tyrrhenian Sea

18
Q

Is Umbria landlocked or does it abut a sea?

A

Umbria is landlocked. The climate is more continental without any influence from Mediterranean.

19
Q

What is the most important DOC in Umbria that makes white wine?

A

Orvieto DOC

20
Q

What are the grapes that go into Orvieto DOC?

A

Orvieto must be a blend with a majority of Grechetto and Trebbiano.

Other local white grapes grown in Umbria are allowed in the blend.

21
Q

Orvieto
3,4,7,12

A

3 Light body
4 High acidity
7 Ripe grape fruit and peaches
12 Cool fermentation in stainless steel.

22
Q

What is the most important red DOCG of Umbria?

A

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG

23
Q

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG is made from the ___.

A

thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

24
Q

What is the capital of Lazio?

A

Rome

25
Q

Where is Lazio situated?

A

Situated in the hills to the south of Rome.
Cooled by altitude and a number of small nearby lakes.

26
Q

The best known wine in Lazio is___.
3,4,7,9

A

Frascati DOC

3 Medium bodied
4 Medium to high acidity
7 Citrus fruit
Sometimes with the Malvasia providing floral, orange blossom aromas.
9 Unoaked

27
Q

What are the base white grapes for Frascati DOC?

A

Malvasia and Trebbiano

28
Q

Le Marche is on which sea?

A

The Adriatic

29
Q

Le Marche is on the ___ side of the ___.

A

eastern
Apennines

30
Q

What is the most important white grape in Le Marche?
4,7,8

A

Verdicchio

4 High acidity
7 Green apples, lemons and sometimes fennel and almonds
8 The best quality wine can develop honey and almonds with bottle age.

31
Q

What is the well known DOC for Verdicchio in Le Marche?

A

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

32
Q

What is the best known DOCG red from Le Marche?

A

Conero DOCG

33
Q

Conero DOCG Grape varieties

A

Based on the Montepulciano grape
+ Sangiovese in the blend.

34
Q

Which region is to the north of Abruzzo?

A

Le Marche

35
Q

What is the main red grape in Abruzzo?

1,4,5,7,9

A

Montepulciano

1 High levels of colour
4 Medium acidity
5 High tannins
7 Flavours of black plums and cherries
9 Usually made without oak aging. However, most concentrated examples are matured for a short time in oak.

36
Q

What is Abruzzo’s best known DOC?

A

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

37
Q

Montepulciano in Tuscany and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – what’s the difference?

A

Montepulciano is a village in Tuscany. The main grape in the village of Montepulciano is Sangiovese.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a DOC in the region of Abruzzo whose main grape is Montepulciano.