Central Italy White Wines

Question 1

What is central Italy’s only landlocked region?

Answer 1

Umbria

Question 2

San Gimignano DOCG overlaps what Chianti DOCG subzone?

Answer 2

Colli Senesi

Question 3

What year was Vernaccia di San Gimignano awarded DOC?

Answer 3

1966

Question 4

What year was Vernaccia di San Gimignano upgraded to DOCG?

Answer 4

1993

Question 5

What is the minimum percentage of Vernaccia for Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG?

Answer 5

85%

Question 6

What is the required aging for Riserva Vernaccia di San Gimignano?

Answer 6

Minimum 11 months, most Riserva bottlings spend some time in oak and show a more complex and rounded profile with vanilla and sweet spice

Question 7

Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG notable producers?

Answer 7

Sono Montenidoli; made in the traditional style rich and nutty with oxidation, Fontaleoni, Guicciardini Strozzi; run by 15th generation decedents of Mona Lisa, Panizzi; 1998 Riserva first Vernaccia di San Gimignano to be award 3 glasses by Gambero Rosso

Question 8

What spice is San Gimignano known for?

Answer 8

Saffron

Question 9

What regions share Orvieto DOC?

Answer 9

Umbria & Lazio, with majority of vineyards in Umbria

Question 10

What are the grapes of Orvieto DOC?

Answer 10

Grechetto and Trebbiano Toscano

Question 11

What are the two grape varieties known as Grechetto?

Answer 11

Grechetto di Orvieto and Grechetto di Todi (also known as Grechetto Gentile)

Question 12

Orvieto DOC notable producers?

Answer 12

Barberani; also botrytis sweet wine Calcaia. Palazzone; known for masterful blends of all 5 grapes allowed. Decugnano dei Barbi; producing wine since 13th c. Sergio Mottura; considered best white of Umbria and Lazio

Question 13

Orvieto DOC cepage?

Answer 13

Minimum 60% Grechetto and Trebbiano Toscano, with other local grapes

Question 14

May Orvieto be made as Superiore?

Answer 14

Yes, with stricter production regulations and higher min abv

Question 15

Which DOC is further inland, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, or Matelica DOC?

Answer 15

Matelica is further inland, near the foothills of the Central Apennines

Question 16

What is the style of Matelica DOC?

Answer 16

Verdicchio is higher in acidity, more restrained and mineral in character due to the cooler growing conditions and lack of moderating sea influence

Question 17

What is the aging requirement for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?

Answer 17

Minimum 18 months aging

Question 18

Cepage requirements for Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC?

Answer 18

Min 85% Verdicchio

Question 19

What styles are permitted in Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC?

Answer 19

Main style is dry, but spumante and passito versions are produced

Question 20

Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi DOC notable producers?

Answer 20

Umani Ronchi; Villa Bucci; Tavignano; Andrea Felici; La Staffa

Question 21

What are the DOCs for Tuscan Vin Santo?

Answer 21

Vin Santo di Carmignano DOC, Vin Santo del Chianti DOC, Vin Santo del Chianti Classico DOC, Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC

Question 22

What are the main grape varieties used for Vin Santo?

Answer 22

Trebbiano Toscano, Malvasia

Question 23

What is the name of the barrels used for Vin Santo?

Answer 23

Caratelli

Question 24

Vin Santo di Carmignano notable producer?

Answer 24

Capezzana; Vin Santo is a blend of Trebbiano and very rare San Colombano variety

Question 25

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico notable producer?

Answer 25

Rocca di Montegrossi

Question 26

Vin Santo del Chianti notable producer?

Answer 26

Selvapiana makes 100% Trebbiano Vin Santo

Question 27

Vin Santo di Montepulciano notable producer?

Answer 27

Avignonesi; benchmark, makes Occhio di Pernice

Question 28

What is Occhio di Pernice?

Answer 28

"Eye of the Partridge" a style of Vin Santo made from red grapes, primarily Sangiovese. Made in small quantities by only a handful of producers

Question 29

How many villages are permitted to make Verdicchio Castelli dei Jesi?

Answer 29

22 villages can produce DOC wine, but not all are entitled to classico

Question 30

What is Marche's most planted white grape?

Answer 30

Verdicchio