Central Italy

Question 1

Where would you find the DOCG Vernaccia di Serrapetrona and what style wine is it?

Answer 1

This is from the Marche and is a Rosso Spumante wine. Made from 85% Vernaccia, 40% of which is dried, 15% other red grapes including Sangiovese, montepulciano and Ciliegiolo.

Question 2

What are the DOCGs of the Marche?

Answer 2

Vernaccia di Serrapetrona 
Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva
Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva
Conero
Offida

Question 3

What is the blend of Conero DOCG?

Answer 3

This is a red wine DOCG in the Marche. It is 85% Montepulciano, 15% Sangiovese. Must be aged for two years and is 12.5% alcohol.

Question 4

What is the elevation of the Marche?

Answer 4

16-87 meters.

Question 5

What is the elevation of Emilia-Romagna?

Answer 5

Ranges from 29 meters to 300. The climate here is continental.

Question 6

What are the DOCGs of Emilia-Romagna?

Answer 6

There are only two here and are both for whites:
Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto (95% Pignoletto)
Romagna Albana (95% Albana)

Question 7

What is the elevation and soil type of Abruzzo?

Answer 7

9-11 meters. The soils are silicons clay limestone, iron

Question 8

What is the sole DOCG of Abruzzo?

Answer 8

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane

Question 9

Blend and aging requirements for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG

Answer 9

90% Montepulciano and max 10% Sangiovese. 2 years aging with 1 in oak, Riserva is 3 years aging with 1 in oak.

Question 10

What is an “arele?”

Answer 10

This is a traditional drying rack in the Valpolicella region which is typically made of river reeds.

Question 11

What are the aging requirements for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane?

Answer 11

Normale: 2 years from November 1 with 12 months in oak and 6 months in bottle

Riserva: 3 years from November 1 with 12 months in oak and 6 months in bottle.

Question 12

What is the soil type in Montelpulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG?

Answer 12

Siliceous clay, limestone, iron

Question 13

What is the climate like in Emilia-Romagna?

Answer 13

Continental

Only 1,581 hours of sunlight during the season. The elevation here ranges from 29-300 meters. The region is landlocked.

Question 14

What are the permitted styles for Romagna Albana DOCG?

Answer 14

Bianco from 95% Albana plus 5% other whites of Tuscany.

Seco-Dolce, Passito and Riserva

Question 15

What are the permitted styles for Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto DOCG?

Answer 15

95% Pignoletto plus 5% other whites

Bianco, Frizzante, Spumante, Superiore.

Question 16

What is the grape varietals of Offida DOCG?

Answer 16

Must be 85% Pecorino Passarino for whites, or 85% Montepulciano for the reds.

Question 17

Where is the DOCG of Conero and what are the permitted styles and grapes?

Answer 17

This is a DOCG in the Marche. Rosso only. 85% Montepulciano plus 15% Sangiovese. 2 years aging and 12.5% alcohol.

Question 18

What are two other names for Grenache in Italy?

Answer 18

Vernacchia (Marche and Central Italy)
Tai Rosso (Friuli)

Question 19

What is the elevation of Umbria and the climate?

Answer 19

Climate is continental. The elevation is 336-493 meters.

Question 20

What are the two DOCGs of Umbria?

Answer 20

Montelfalco Sagrantino

Torgiano Rosso Riserva

Question 21

What is the aging the blend of Montefalco Sagrantino?

Answer 21

This DOCG can be made in Rosso Secco and Passito styles. Both are 100% Sagrantino. Secco must age 37 months with 12 in wood, 4 in bottle. Passito must age 37 months with 4 in bottle.

Question 22

What is the blend of Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?

Answer 22

70% Sangiovese, 30% other red grapes. Must age for 3 years with 6 months in the bottle.

Question 23

Which producer and which wine was responsible for creating the Rosazzo DOCG?

Answer 23

This is a DOCG in Friuli- it was modeled on Livio Felluga’s Terre Alte bottling which is Friulano. The DOCG must be 50% Friulano plus Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco and Ribola.