Central Italy Flashcards
Name the regions of Central Italy.
Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Marche, Abruzzo.
Describe the general climate.
South of the Po Valley, dominated by the Apennine Mountains running the length of the Italian Peninsula. Grapes are planted in the hills and valleys of this mountain range with altitude provding a moderating influence on the hot climate. Coastal regions on both sides benefit from cooling sea breezes.
Describe the Sangiovese grape wine in Tuscany and name the three regions of Tuscany.
High acid, high tannin, late to ripen so needs a warm climate, aromas of red cherries, plums, dried herbs, usually aged for a period of time in oak to soften the tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours. Both small barrels and larger casks can be used, bottle age develops meaty and gamey aromas.
Tuscany stretches down the western coast of central italy:
Mountainous Chianti region in the north, hills and valleys to the south (Southern Tuscany), and the flat coastal plain.
Describe the Montepulciano grape wine and the region where it is grown.
High colour, high tannins, medium acid, flavours of black plums and cherry, simple and fruity without oak ageing, but most concentrated examples often matured for a short time in oak.
Abruzzo region (below Marche), main wine from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC (no relation to town in Tuscany).
Describe the Verdicchio grape and teh region where it is grown.
Naturally high in acid, flavours of green apples, lemons, and sometimes notes of fennel and almonds. Simple and fruity, but best wines have greater concentration and can develop notes of honey and almonds with bottle age.
Marche, located on eastern side of the Apennines, with the most famous wines from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC.
Red wines also made in Marche, blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese (Conero DOCG is the most famous).
Describe the classic blend from Lazio and the Lazio region.
South of tuscany, with best wines from Frascati DOC, situated in hills to teh south of Rome, vineyards cooled by altitude and number of small nearby lakes offerring perfect conditions for white grapes.
Blend of Malvasia and Trebbian, fresh and unoaked, medium body, medium to high acid, citrus fruit, Malvasia sometimes gives floral orange blossom aromas.
Describe the Umbria climate and name the best known wines.
Similar climate to Tuscany, more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean.
Orvieto DOC, blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano, and often some other local grapes. Wines are light body, medium to high acid, ripe grapefruit and peaches. More Grechetto = better wine generally. Cool fermentation in stainless steel.
Most prestigious red wine is Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, made from thick-skinned Sagrantino.
What are the three (and additional fourth) labels for Chianti?
Chianti DOCG (broader region of Chianti), with higher region Chianti DOCG wines made from grapes in a particular sub-zone of Chianti Rufina DOCG or Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG.
Chianti Classico DOCG (not a sub-zone of Chianti DOCG), vineyards are higher altitudes than Chianti DOCG, slowing the ripening of the Sangiovese, wines with greater acid, more herbal aromas. Must be aged for 12 months before released.
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, must be aged for 24 months, at least 3 months spent bottle ageing.
Gran Selezione is the highest designation for Chianti Classico, grapes sources from single estate and wines aged for 6 months longer than Riserva. No stipulations on oak, producers decision, but majority of wines are aged in oak for at least part of the time before release.
Where is Chianta located and what are the grapes used here?
Foothills of the Apennines between cities of Pisa, Florence, and Siena. Wide area divided into 7 sub-zones. Sangiovese is the dominant grape but the wines are often blended with small amounts of other black grapes (french and italian origin).
Describe the Southern Tuscany region and the best appellations.
Lower altitudes than those in the north, warmer climate, cool maritime breezes from the south-west can moderate the temps.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG are best known appellations in the region. Brunello wines must be made entirely from Sangiovese, only released from winery from the January of the 5th year after harvest. Minimum 2 years in wooden vessels. Vino Nobile can be blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieties, must be aged for a minimum of 2 years before its sold. Wines can be declassified in both appellations as necessary to DOC level, Rosso di Montalcino DOC or Rosso di Montepulciano DOC.
More intense and fuller-bodied than Chianti.
Describe the coastal region of Tuscany and grapes grown here.
Flat coastal region (relatively flat) cooled by sea breezes rather than altitude, black bordeaux varietes and a number of other international grapes are widely planted here.
First “super-Tuscan” born here, made from Cab Sauv and sold for a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status.
Toscana IGT but the relatively recently formed appellations of Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC both permit wines to be made entirely from non-Italian varieties including Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah.
