Central Italy Flashcards
1
Q
Central Italy - Basic
A
- Dominated by the Apennine Mountains
- Grapes planted in hills and valleys. Altitude provide a moderating influence on hot climate
- Coastal regions on both sides benefit from cooling sea breezes
2
Q
Tuscany - Basic
A
- Three parts: mountainous Chianti in the north, hills and valleys to the south and the flat coastal plain
- Sangiovese is the dominant grape
3
Q
Tuscany - Variety
A
1.Sangiovese: High acidity and tannin with red cherries, plums and dried herbs usually aged in oak to soften the tannins. With bottle age the wines develop meaty and gamey aromas. Late to ripen, need a warm climate.
4
Q
Chianti - Basic
A
- Foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena. It was divided into seven sub-zones
- Sangiovese often blended with other black grapes
- Higher quality Chianti DOCG can put the sub-zone name on the wine label such as Chianti Rufina DOCG and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
5
Q
Chianti Classico DOCG
A
- Vineyards at higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG, slowing the ripening of Sangiovese with greater acidity and more herbal aromas
- Must be aged for 12 months
- Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG must be aged for 24 months at least three months must be spent bottle ageing
- Gran Selezione: grapes sourced from a single estate and wines aged for six months longer than Riserva
- No stipulations concerning oak ageing and it is decided by producer. Most are matured in oak
6
Q
Southern Tuscany - Basic
A
- Vineyards at lower altitudes and have warmer climate. Cool maritime breezes moderate temperatures
- Brunello di Montalcino DOCG; Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
- Wines more intense and fuller-bodied than Chianti
- Wines must be made entirely from Sangiovese and undergo a minimum ageing of 5 years, two of which in oak for Brunello di Montalcino
- Can be blend of Sangiovese and must be aged for two years for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Both can be declassified to DOC for poor vintage or young vines
7
Q
Coast - Basic
A
- Flat coastal region is cooled by sea breezes
- Full of international grapes: CS, Merlot and Syrah
- The original wine made from CS but not PDO status
- Nowadays bottled as Toscana IGT or Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC.
8
Q
Umbria - Basic
A
- Climate similar to Tuscany but more continental without influence from the Mediterranean
- Known for its white Orvieto DOC, a blend of Grechetto, Trebbiano and other local grapes (light in body with medium-high acidity and flavors of grapefruit and peaches)
- Wines are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel
- Known red wine: Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, made from thick-skinned Sagrantino grape
9
Q
Lazio - Basic
A
- Known wine: Frascati DOC
- South of Rome and a number of small lakes offering conditions for white grapes
- Blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano in a fresh, unoaked style (medium-high acidity, medium body and falvors of citrus fruit, floral, orange blossom)
10
Q
Marche - Basic
A
- Eastern side of the Apennines and known for white made from Verdicchio grape
- Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
- Red wines of the region are blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese and the best known is Conero DOCG
11
Q
Marche - Variety
A
1.Verdicchio:high in acidity with flavors of green apples, lemons and notes of fennel and almonds. The best can develop honey and almond with bottle age
12
Q
Abruzzo - Variety
A
1.Montepulciano: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, high in tannin and levels of color, medium acidity and flavors of black plums and cherries
