Central Italy - Lazio

Question 1

one slide on Frascati DOC in Lazio near Rome

Answer 1

• light bodied, fresh, unoaked, citrus, apple, sometimes peach, medium alcohol, med(+) acidity white from
  
  • 70% Malvasia Bianca di Candia and /or Malvasia del Lazion and
  • up to 30% Trebbiano Toscano
• high yields max 105hL/ha, acceptable to good, some v good, inexpensive to mid price
• Frascati Superiore DOCG (20%) same grapes 77hL/ha, one year before release, good to v good, mid-priced

Question 2

climate of Lazio

Answer 2

• warm Mediterranean moderated by altitude on low hills up to 300m and cooling winds from the sea
• occasional spring frosts, excessive heat in summer, rain during harvest
• rainfall adequate with little in summer, so reducing fungal risk

Question 3

wine business in Lazio

Answer 3

• in Roman times famous, but 20th C emphasis on high volume, inexpensive by large cos, damaged reputation
• vineyards for Frascati have dropped 15% in last 10 years, though 60% still exported to US, Canada and Germany
• co-ops make 20% of Frascati
• Lazio services Rome and tourists; but also has some high quality producers eg Casal Pilozzo and Falesco.