Grapes and wines of Central Italy

Question 1

Describe the overall climate and features of Central Italy

Answer 1

Hot climate with coastal regions benefiting from cool sea breezes. Altitude (Appennine Mountains) can provide a moderating influence for vineyards planted in the hills and valleys

Question 2

Describe the vineyard layout of Tuscany

Answer 2

Three parts:
Mountainous Chianti region in the north
Hills and valleys in the south
Flat coastal plain

Question 3

Why is Sangiovese the dominant grape variety in Tuscany?

Answer 3

Late ripening, needs a warm climate

Question 4

Describe typical Sangiovese wine from Tuscany

Answer 4

High acidity and tannin
Aromas of red cherries, plums, dried herbs
Usually matured for a period of time in oak to soften tannins and add spicy flavours. Smaller and larger casks can be used.
Can age in bottle, developing meaty and gamey aromas

Question 5

Describe a typical Chianti wine with appellation rules

Answer 5

Dominated by Sangiovese, but often blended with small amounts of other black grapes (e.g. from France and Italy)
Can source grapes from the greater Chianti region = Chianti DOCG, while sub-zones can produce higher quality Chianti e.g. Chianti Rufina DOCG and Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG
NOTE Chianti Classico DOCG is NOT a subzone of Chianti DOCG

Question 6

Describe the vineyard layout of Chianti Classico DOCG and the impact on grape quality

Answer 6

Higher altitude than Chianti DOCG, slowing ripening of Sangiovese = wines with greater acidity and more herbal aromas

Question 7

Describe the Chianti Classico DOCG wines, with appellation rules

Answer 7

High acidity, high tannin, herbal aromas
Must be aged 12 months before release onto market
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG = must be aged 24 months with at least 3 in bottle
Gran Selezione = grapes sourced from single estate, wine aged for 6 months longer than Riserva (no stipulations regarding oak ageing, but most are oak-matured before release)

Question 8

Describe the climate of Southern Tuscany and vineyard layout, and how it affects the wine

Answer 8

Lower altitudes than in the north, warmer climate
Cool maritime breezes from south-west moderates temperatures
More intense and fuller-bodied wines than from Chianti

Question 9

What are the best known appellations of Southern Tuscany?

Answer 9

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Question 10

Describe a typical Brunello di Montalcino DOCG wine with appellation rules

Answer 10

100% Sangiovese

Minimum 5 years ageing before sold, 2 years minimum in oak

Question 11

Describe a typical Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG with appellation rules

Answer 11

Can be blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieties

minimum ageing of 2 years before selling

Question 12

Name the declassified versions of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Answer 12

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Question 13

What is the main climatic influence on the coast?

Answer 13

Cooling by sea breezes, not altitude like Chianti for example.

Question 14

What is a ‘Super-Tuscan’?

Answer 14

Was originally Cabernet Sauvignon with a premium price, was the turning point for Italy in terms of being recognised internationally for excellence in winemaking

Question 15

What is the PGI for this region? Describe a typical example

Answer 15

Toscana IGT

Can be high-quality, using international varieties in a blend with some italian varieties

Question 16

Describe Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC in terms of style and appellation rules

Answer 16

High-quality, permit wines to be made entirely from non-Italian varieties e.g. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

Question 17

Describe the climate of Umbria

Answer 17

Similar to Tuscany i.e. warm, but more continental without Mediterranean influence

Question 18

What are the key grape varieties of Umbria

Answer 18

Grechetto

Trebbiano

Question 19

Describe a typical Orvieto DOC wine

Answer 19

Blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano, often with some other local grapes
Light in body, medium to high acidity, flavours of ripe grapefruit and peaches
Better examples have more Grechetto in the blend
Made protectively, undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel

Question 20

What is Umbria’s most prestigious red wine?

Answer 20

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG made from Sagrantino, a thick-skinned grape

Question 21

Describe the climate and corresponding features and vineyard locations of Lazio

Answer 21

Situated in the hills: vineyards are cooled by altitude and small nearby lakes ideal for white grape-growing

Question 22

What is the best known wine of Lazio?

Answer 22

Frascati DOC
Blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano
Fresh, unoaked style
Medium bodied with medium to high acidity and flavours of citrus fruit, sometimes with Malvasia providing floral, orange blossom aromas

Question 23

What is the key white grape variety of Marche?

Answer 23

Verdicchio

Question 24

Describe and name the most famous Marche white wine

Answer 24

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
High in acidity, flavours of green apples, lemons, sometimes notes of fennel and almonds
Many are sweet and fruity but some develop notes of honey and almonds on bottle ageing

Question 25

Name the best known Marche red wine and its components

Answer 25

Blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese

Conero DOCG

Question 26

What is the key black variety of Abruzzo?

Answer 26

Montepulciano

Question 27

Describe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

Answer 27

Deep colour and tannin, medium acidity, flavours of black plums and cherries
Most wines are simple and fruity without oak ageing, but concentrated examples exist and have been matured for a short time in oak