Geography and Wine Laws

Question 1

What are the four seas surrounding Italy?

Answer 1

Tyrrhennian, Mediterannean, Ionian, Adriatic

Question 2

What is the longest river/mountain range in Italy

Answer 2

Po/Apennines

Question 3

Most significant geographic feature

Answer 3

Mountains (Appenines and Alps)

Question 4

How many grape varieties are permitted?

Answer 4

400 (2,000 if you count subvarieties)

Question 5

What are four quality levels in Italy?

Answer 5

Vino (aka vino varietali), IGT, DOC, DOCG

Question 6

Are IGT wines allowed to carry a varietal name?

Answer 6

Yes if they use 85% of named varietal in wine

Question 7

How many DOCS and DOCGs are there

Answer 7

330 / 76 (as of 12/20)

Question 8

What % of total production does each level account for?

Answer 8

40% for vino, 30% for IGT, 30% for the PDOs

Question 9

What are the three terms that may appear on the PDO labels?

Answer 9

Classico (region), Superiore (alcohol level) and Riserva (aging time)

Question 10

Which region produces most DOC/DOCG wine by volume?

Answer 10

Veneto

Question 11

What are the most widely planted red/white grapes?

Answer 11

Sangiovese/Trebbiano Toscano

Question 12

What was first attempt to delineate a production and area and by whom?

Answer 12

The Grand Duchy of Tuscany, early 1700s, Chianti

Question 13

Which regions were the first to be awarded DOCG status?

Answer 13

Brunello di Montalcino, Barolo, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in 1980