Chap 28: Central Italy

Question 1

Describe the topography of Central Italy

Answer 1

South of the Po valley, the wine regions here are dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the Italian peninsula

Question 2

Where in Central Italy are grapes usually planted?

Answer 2

In the hills and valleys of the Apennine Mountain range

Question 3

What is the climate of Central Italy? (cool, mod, warm, hot)

Answer 3

Hot Climate

Question 4

How is temperature generally moderated within Central Italy?

Answer 4

Either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills or coastal sea breezes

Question 5

Where in Italy is Tuscany?

Answer 5

Stretches down the western coast of Central Italy

Question 6

How can Tuscany be topographically divided?

Answer 6

Into three parts:
The mountainous Chianti region in the north
The hills and valleys to the south
The flat coastal plain

Question 7

What is the dominant and most prestigious grape throughout the areas of Tuscany?

Answer 7

Sangiovese

Question 8

What climate does Sangiovese need? Why?

Answer 8

Needs a warm climate as it is late to ripen

Question 9

What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in Tuscany?
* Tannin
* Acidity
* Aromas

Answer 9

High tannins
High acidity
Aromas of red cherries, plums and dried herbs. Usually aged in oak to soften tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours. With bottle age they can develop meaty and gamey aromas.

Question 10

What kind of oak containers are used to age Sangiovese in Tuscany?

Answer 10

Small barrels and/or larger casks - both can be used.

Question 11

What colour of grapes is grown in Tuscany?

Answer 11

Predominantly red, but some white is grown

Question 12

Where in Italy is Chianti?

Answer 12

In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena

Question 13

How is Chianti divided?

Answer 13

Into seven sub-zones

Question 14

What is the dominant grape of Chianti?

Answer 14

Sangiovese

Question 15

True of False: Wines of Chianti are often blends.
Explain.

Answer 15

True - typically primarily Sangiovese as dominant grape but with small amts of other black grapes (both French and Italian in origin).

Question 16

How will producers of large volumes of Chianti, with grapes from the larger area, usually label their wines?

Answer 16

Chianti DOCG

Question 17

How may higher quality Chianti producers label their wines?

Answer 17

Depending on where the grapes are from, they may label their wines with the name of the sub-zone
Note: this does not include Chianti Classico DOCG

Question 18

Which of Chianti’s sub-zones are particularly well known for their quality?

Answer 18

Chianti Rufina DOCG
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG

Question 19

What is unusual about Chianti Classico?

Answer 19

It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti

Question 20

Describe the vineyards of Chianti Classico and what effect does this have on the grapes?

Answer 20

At higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG, slowing the ripening of Sangiovese and resulting in wines with greater acidity and more herbal aromas.

Question 21

What is the role of ageing on Chianti Classico?

Answer 21

Must be aged for 12 months before release

Question 22

What is the role of ageing for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

Answer 22

Must be aged for 24 months, of which at least 3 months must be spent ageing in the bottle.

Question 23

What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines?

Answer 23

Gran Selezione

Question 24

How may a Chianti Classico qualify for Gran Selezione status?

Answer 24

Grapes must be sourced from a single estate and wines must be aged for 6 months longer than Riserva (so 30 months total).

Question 25

What is the role of oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?

Answer 25

There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer

Question 26

What is the reality regarding oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?

Answer 26

The vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release

Question 27

Describe the vineyards of Southern Tuscany

Answer 27

Lower altitudes than those in the north Warmer climate than in the north Cool, maritime breezes from south-west can moderate tempature

Question 28

What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?

Answer 28

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Question 29

Describe the general difference between wines from this part of Tuscany and from further north and why this is?

Answer 29

More intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti due to the warmer climate.

Question 30

What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello?

Answer 30

The wines must be entirely Sangiovese and can only be released from the winery from the January of the fifth year after the harvest. Additionally the wine must spend a minimum of 2 years in wood vessels.

Question 31

What are the key stipulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

Answer 31

Can be a blend of Sangiovese and other permitted varieties and must be aged for a minimum of two years before being sold.

Question 32

What may producers of Brunello or VNdM do with their legal classifications? Give an example of when they might do this?

Answer 32

They can declassify they wines to DOC if for example the vintage is poor

Question 33

What will Brunello or VNdM become if declassified?

Answer 33

Rosso di Montalcino DOC Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Question 34

Describe the Tuscan coast & climatic influences

Answer 34

It is relatively flat and cooled by sea-breezes rather than altitude

Question 35

What kinds of varieties are grown on the Tuscan coast?

Answer 35

Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international varieties

Question 36

In which area did the first 'Super-Tuscan' come about?

Answer 36

The coast

Question 37

What was the first Super-Tuscan made from?

Answer 37

Cabernet Sauvignon

Question 38

What was groundbreaking about the first Super-Tuscan?

Answer 38

It was sold at a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status

Question 39

Why were Super-Tuscans so important?

Answer 39

They were a turning point for Italian wines as they re-established Italy's reputation for excellence

Question 40

What varieties go into Super-Tuscans?

Answer 40

Typically international varieties, but sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend

Question 41

How are Super-Tuscans usually labelled?

Answer 41

Toscana IGT Bolgheri DOC Maremma Toscana DOC | (pronounched 'Bo' 'geh' 'ree' 'MAH' 'reh' 'mah')

Question 42

What is special about Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?

Answer 42

The relatively new appellations permit wines to be made from entirely non-Italian varieties, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah

Question 43

What is the climate of Umbria? (Continental, Maritime, Mediterranean AND Describe)

Answer 43

Similar to Tuscany's but more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean

Question 44

Where is Umbria?

Answer 44

Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche on the respective coasts

Question 45

What is Umbria's best known wine?

Answer 45

Orvieto DOC

Question 46

What is Orvieto?

Answer 46

A white wine, made from Grechetto, Trebbiano and often, a few other local grapes

Question 47

Describe Orvieto DOC wines * Body * Acidity * Flavors

Answer 47

Light body Medium to high acidity Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches

Question 48

How are the best examples of Orvieto often composed?

Answer 48

The best examples tend to be those with the most Grechetto in the blend

Question 49

How are Orvieto wines vinified?

Answer 49

They are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel

Question 50

What is Umbria's most prestigious wine?

Answer 50

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG

Question 51

What is Sagrantino di Montefalco made from?

Answer 51

The thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

Question 52

What is the next region to the south of Tuscany?

Answer 52

Lazio

Question 53

What is the best known wine of Lazio?

Answer 53

Frascati DOC | 'fra' 'skaa' 'tee'

Question 54

Where are the vineyards of Frascati DOC?

Answer 54

Situated in the hills to the south of Rome

Question 55

What are the climatic influences in Frascati DOC? What conditions does this create for grape growing?

Answer 55

Vineyards are cooled by altitude and a number of small nearby lakes offering perfect conditions for white grapes

Question 56

What are the grapes of Frascati DOC?

Answer 56

Malvasia and Trebbiano

Question 57

Describe wines of Frascati DOC * Body * Acidity * Flavors/Aromas

Answer 57

Medium body Medium to high acidity Fresh and fruity in style - Flavours of citrus fruit, with Malvasia sometimes providing floral, orange blossom aromas

Question 58

Where is Marche?

Answer 58

On the eastern side of the Apennines

Question 59

What wines is Marche best known for?

Answer 59

White wines made from Verdicchio

Question 60

What is Marche's most famous wine from the Verdicchio grape?

Answer 60

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 61

Describe wines from the Verdicchio grape * Acidity * Flavors/Aromas * How are the best of these wines different from the typical style produced

Answer 61

* High acidity * Green apple and lemon flavours and sometimes display notes of fennel and almonds * Many of the wines are simple and fruity, but the best have greater concentration and can develop notes of honey and almonds with bottle age

Question 62

What are Marche's red wines typically made from?

Answer 62

Usually blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese

Question 63

What is the best known of Marche's red blends?

Answer 63

Conero DOCG

Question 64

Which region is below Marche?

Answer 64

Abruzzo

Question 65

For which variety is Abruzzo most famous?

Answer 65

Montepulciano

Question 66

What is Abruzzo's most famous wine?

Answer 66

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC *Note: no relation to the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany*

Question 67

Describe wines from the Montepulciano grape * Color * Tannin * Acidity * Flavors * How do flavors vary based on Style?

Answer 67

* High levels of colour and tannins * Medium acidity * Flavours of black plums and cherries * Many of the wines are simple and fruity with no oak ageing, but the most concentrated examples are often matured for a short time in oak.