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WSET level 3 2020 > Central Italy > Flashcards

Central Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the climate in Central Italy? What is it moderated by?

A

Hot climate

Coastal breezes and Apennine Mountains (altitude)

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2
Q

Northern Tuscany can be broken into three general sections, what are they?

A

Chianti (mountains/foothills)
Hills and Valleys (south)
Coastal plain (flat)

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3
Q

When does Sangiovese ripen? What are it’s acid and tannin levels?

A

Late

high tannin, high acid

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4
Q

Aromas of Sangiovese include…

A

Red cherries, plums and dried herbs

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5
Q

Why is Sangiovese usually oak aged?

A

To soften tannin (sometimes for spice flavour too)

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6
Q

Sangiovese develops what flavours in-bottle?

A

Meaty and Gamey

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7
Q

What type of terrain does Chianti cover?

A

Foothills

Large area covering foothills of the Apennines

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8
Q

Chianti includes how many sub-zones? When can wines be labelled under a sub-zone name.

A

7.
When grapes are sourced from the one specified zone
(Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG)

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9
Q

What is significant about the geography of Chianti Classico when compared to the rest of Chianti? How long must wines be aged for?

A

Higher Altitude

Wines must be aged for 12 months, not legally in oak, although it is the norm

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10
Q

What impact on wines does the higher altitude in Chianti Classico have?

A

Acid retention and development of herbal aromas

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11
Q

What Chianti wine must be aged for 24 months, with a minimum of 3 in bottle?

A

Chianti Classico Riserva

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12
Q

Must Chianti Classico Riserva age in oak?

A

No

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13
Q

Is Southern Tuscany warmer or cooler than Northern Tuscany?

A

Warmer

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14
Q

What regulates heat in Southern Tuscany?

A

Cool, maritime breezes from the south-west

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15
Q

What are the two DOCG regions in Southern Tuscany and what are their winemaking laws?

A 
Brunello di Montalcino
-  Min. 5 years total ageing
-  2 years in oak
- 100% Sangiovese
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Min. 2 yrs ageing 
- No mention of oak
- Can be blended
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16
Q

If winemakers from Brunello di Montalcino or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano decide to declassify their wines from DOCG to DOC status, what are the wines labelled as?

A

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

17
Q

What grapes would you find on the flat Tuscan coast? What wines were originally made here?

A

Black Bordeaux grapes (Cab Sauv and Merlot)

Super-Tuscans

18
Q

What are non-DOC “Super-tuscans” labelled as?

A

Toscana IGT

19
Q

Which DOC region in Tuscany allows wines made entirely from non-Italian varietals?

A

Bolgheri DOC

20
Q

What is the climate in Umbria? What is it not influenced by?

A

Warm, continental with no Mediterranean influence

21
Q

Which DOC is Umbria known for?

A

Orvieto DOC

22
Q

What are the main grapes of Orvieto DOC? Which one tends to make better wines when it dominates the blend?

A

Grechetto, Trebbiano (among other local grapes)

Grechetto-heavy tend to be best

23
Q

What are the characteristics of Umbria’s Orvieto DOC?

body, acid, flavours

A

Light bodied
Medium to High acid
Ripe grapefruit and peaches

24
Q

How is Orvieto (Grechetto, Trebbiano) vinified usually?

A

Cold-fermented, protectively in stainless steel

25
Q

Where is Lazio in relation to Tuscany?

26
Q

What is the main DOC in Lazio and what grapes are used here?

A

Frascati DOC

Malvasia and Trebbiano

27
Q

What natural factors contribute to the cooling effects of Frascati DOC in Lazio?

A

Altitude and small nearby lakes

28
Q

What are the characteristics of Frascati DOC wines? (grapes, maturation, body, acid, flavours, aromas)

A 
Malvasia, Trebbiano
Unoaked
Medium body
Medium to High acid
Citrus fruit flavours
Floral, orange blossom aromas
29
Q

What aromas does having Malvasia in the blend sometimes provide to Frascati DOC wines?

A

Floral, orange blossom

30
Q

What grape is Marche best known for? What is the most famous DOC for this grape?

A

Verdicchio

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

31
Q

Verdicchio is generally simple and fruity with green apple and citrus flavours, what other flavours are sometimes seen:

  • in youth?
  • when aged?
A
  • Fennel and almonds

- Honey and almonds

32
Q

What are red wines produced in Marche usually a blend of?

A

Montepulciano and Sangiovese

33
Q

What are the characteristics of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC? (colour, tannin, acid, flavours)

A

Deep colour
High tannin
Medium acid
Black plums and cherries

34
Q

In what style are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo most commonly produced? What might the most concentrated examples see?

A

Simple and fruity

Short time in oak

WSET level 3 2020 (41 decks)

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