Central Italy

Question 1

Describe Umbria’s climate & terroir

Answer 1

Directly East of Tuscany
Landlocked & mountainous thanks to the appenines, Umbria has a continental climate with mediterranean influence

Question 2

What is Umbria’s important white wine DOC?

Answer 2

Orvieto DOC, for dry whites of trebbiano & grechetto

Question 3

What is Umbria’s important DOC for all styles of wine? What is it most known for?

Answer 3

Lago di Corbara DOC within Orvieto best known for high quality reds from international grapes.

Question 4

What are Umbria’s 2 DOCGs?

Answer 4

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG for dry to sweet sagrantino
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG for dry aged sangiovese only

Question 5

Where is Lazio located? What is its major city?

Answer 5

Just south of Tuscany; Rome

Question 6

What is Lazio known for?

Answer 6

All manner of quaffable cheap white wine

Question 7

What are Lazio’s 3 DOCGs?

Answer 7

Frascati Superiore DOCG for dry whites of Malvasia di Candia
Cannellino di Frascati DOCG
for vendemmia tardiva wines of Malvasia di Candia
Cesanese di Piglio DOCG for reds of Cesanese

Question 8

What’s unique about DOCGs in Campania?

Answer 8

They’re actually a consistent step up in quality from the DOCs in this region

Question 9

To when can Campania trace its vine growing history? What was its historically famous region?

Answer 9

1st century CE
Campania was a jewel of the Roman Empire & the wines of Monte Massico were prized for centuries.

Question 10

Where do the fine wines of Campania tend to come from? On what soil do their grapes tend to thrive?

Answer 10

Volcanic slopes with tufa soil

Question 11

What are Campania’s most famous DOCGs for red wine?

Answer 11

Aglianico del Taburno DOCG & Taurasi DOCG:
both must be at least 85% aglianico, & can be reserva. Taburno can be rosato but Taurasi must be red.

Question 12

What are Campania’s most famous white wine DOCs & DOCGs?

Answer 12

Fiano del Avalino DOCG: dry whites from at least 85% fiano; can be riserva

Greco di Tufo DOCG: at least 85% greco, still/sparkling/reserva

Falanghina di Sannio DOC: at least 85% falanghina, can be still, sparkling, traditional method, passito, & vendemmia tardiva

Question 13

What famous Campania DOC is approved for all styles of wine?

Answer 13

Campi Flegrei DOC: tends to be falanghina, piedirosso, or aglianico