Chap 28: Central Italy Flashcards
Describe the topography of Central Italy
South of the Po valley, the wine regions here are dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which run the length of the Italian peninsula
Where in Central Italy are grapes usually planted?
In the hills and valleys of the Apennine Mountain range
What is the climate of Central Italy? (cool, mod, warm, hot)
Hot Climate
How is temperature generally moderated within Central Italy?
Either by the altitude of the Apennine foothills or coastal sea breezes
Where in Italy is Tuscany?
Stretches down the western coast of Central Italy
How can Tuscany be topographically divided?
Into three parts:
The mountainous Chianti region in the north
The hills and valleys to the south
The flat coastal plain
What is the dominant and most prestigious grape throughout the areas of Tuscany?
Sangiovese
What climate does Sangiovese need? Why?
Needs a warm climate as it is late to ripen
What are the main characteristics of Sangiovese in Tuscany?
* Tannin
* Acidity
* Aromas
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.
What kind of oak containers are used to age Sangiovese in Tuscany?
Small barrels and/or larger casks - both can be used.
What colour of grapes is grown in Tuscany?
Predominantly red, but some white is grown
Where in Italy is Chianti?
In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena
How is Chianti divided?
Into seven sub-zones
What is the dominant grape of Chianti?
Sangiovese
True of False: Wines of Chianti are often blends.
Explain.
True - typically primarily Sangiovese as dominant grape but with small amts of other black grapes (both French and Italian in origin).
How will producers of large volumes of Chianti, with grapes from the larger area, usually label their wines?
Chianti DOCG
How may higher quality Chianti producers label their wines?
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
Which of Chianti’s sub-zones are particularly well known for their quality?
Chianti Rufina DOCG
Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
What is unusual about Chianti Classico?
It’s NOT a sub-zone of Chianti
Describe the vineyards of Chianti Classico and what effect does this have on the grapes?
At higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG, slowing the ripening of Sangiovese and resulting in wines with greater acidity and more herbal aromas.
What is the role of ageing on Chianti Classico?
Must be aged for 12 months before release
What is the role of ageing for Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?
Must be aged for 24 months, of which at least 3 months must be spent ageing in the bottle.
What is the highest designation for Chianti Classico wines?
Gran Selezione
How may a Chianti Classico qualify for Gran Selezione status?
Grapes must be sourced from a single estate and wines must be aged for 6 months longer than Riserva (so 30 months total).
What is the role of oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?
There are no stipulations concerning oak ageing, so it is entirely up to the producer
What is the reality regarding oak ageing for Gran Selezione wines in Chianti?
The vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of the time before their release
Describe the vineyards of Southern Tuscany
Lower altitudes than those in the north
Warmer climate than in the north
Cool, maritime breezes from south-west can moderate tempature
What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Describe the general difference between wines from this part of Tuscany and from further north and why this is?
More intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti due to the warmer climate.
What are the key legal stipulations for Brunello?
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.
What are the key stipulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
Can be a blend of Sangiovese and other permitted varieties and must be aged for a minimum of two years before being sold.
What may producers of Brunello or VNdM do with their legal classifications? Give an example of when they might do this?
They can declassify they wines to DOC if for example the vintage is poor
What will Brunello or VNdM become if declassified?
Rosso di Montalcino DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Describe the Tuscan coast & climatic influences
It is relatively flat and cooled by sea-breezes rather than altitude
What kinds of varieties are grown on the Tuscan coast?
Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international varieties
In which area did the first ‘Super-Tuscan’ come about?
The coast
What was the first Super-Tuscan made from?
Cabernet Sauvignon
What was groundbreaking about the first Super-Tuscan?
It was sold at a premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status
Why were Super-Tuscans so important?
They were a turning point for Italian wines as they re-established Italy’s reputation for excellence
What varieties go into Super-Tuscans?
Typically international varieties, but sometimes with Italian varieties as part of the blend
How are Super-Tuscans usually labelled?
Toscana IGT
Bolgheri DOC
Maremma Toscana DOC
(pronounched ‘Bo’ ‘geh’ ‘ree’
‘MAH’ ‘reh’ ‘mah’)
What is special about Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?
The relatively new appellations permit wines to be made from entirely non-Italian varieties, such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah
What is the climate of Umbria? (Continental, Maritime, Mediterranean AND Describe)
Similar to Tuscany’s but more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean
Where is Umbria?
Central Italy, between Tuscany and Marche on the respective coasts
What is Umbria’s best known wine?
Orvieto DOC
What is Orvieto?
A white wine, made from Grechetto, Trebbiano and often, a few other local grapes
Describe Orvieto DOC wines
* Body
* Acidity
* Flavors
Light body
Medium to high acidity
Flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
How are the best examples of Orvieto often composed?
The best examples tend to be those with the most Grechetto in the blend
How are Orvieto wines vinified?
They are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel
What is Umbria’s most prestigious wine?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
What is Sagrantino di Montefalco made from?
The thick-skinned Sagrantino grape
What is the next region to the south of Tuscany?
Lazio
What is the best known wine of Lazio?
Frascati DOC
‘fra’ ‘skaa’ ‘tee’
Where are the vineyards of Frascati DOC?
Situated in the hills to the south of Rome
What are the climatic influences in Frascati DOC? What conditions does this create for grape growing?
Vineyards are cooled by altitude and a number of small nearby lakes offering perfect conditions for white grapes
What are the grapes of Frascati DOC?
Malvasia and Trebbiano
Describe wines of Frascati DOC
* Body
* Acidity
* Flavors/Aromas
Medium body
Medium to high acidity
Fresh and fruity in style - Flavours of citrus fruit, with Malvasia sometimes providing floral, orange blossom aromas
Where is Marche?
On the eastern side of the Apennines
What wines is Marche best known for?
White wines made from Verdicchio
What is Marche’s most famous wine from the Verdicchio grape?
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Describe wines from the Verdicchio grape
* Acidity
* Flavors/Aromas
* How are the best of these wines different from the typical style produced
- 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
What are Marche’s red wines typically made from?
Usually blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese
What is the best known of Marche’s red blends?
Conero DOCG
Which region is below Marche?
Abruzzo
For which variety is Abruzzo most famous?
Montepulciano
What is Abruzzo’s most famous wine?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Note: no relation to the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany
Describe wines from the Montepulciano grape
* Color
* Tannin
* Acidity
* Flavors
* How do flavors vary based on Style?
- 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.
