Introduction to Italy Flashcards

1
Q

When does Italian wine history date back to?

A

At least 8BCE

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2
Q

Etruscans exported wine culture to France from when onwards?

A

6BCE

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3
Q

What did the expansion of the Roman empire do for wine?

A

Created a home market

Led to the possibility of export in amphorae to the Gauls and Spain

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4
Q

What happened to wine production after the fall of the Roman empire in 5AD?

A

Wine production continued for domestic consumption

Exports came to a halt

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5
Q

From the 11th to 14th century, which two Italian cities became the trading centres of Europe?

A

Venice and Genoa

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6
Q

When did the modern period of Italian wine begin?

A

In the 19th century - this is when styles known today were beginning to be established

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7
Q

Which two events in Italy’s history paved the way for the contemporary period?

A

The unification of Italy in 1861

The economic boom after World War II

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8
Q

What type of wine production did winemakers focus on in the period immediately following World War II?

A

High yields and high volume production

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9
Q

When did international grape varieties first appear in Italy?

A

Early 20th Century

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10
Q

How did Italian wines change in the final 3 decades of the 20th century?

A

Winemakers moved away from making simple wines for local consumption or export

Standards of wine increased

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11
Q

Name two important innovations for Italian wine in the 20th Century.

A

Temperature control and stainless steel vats in Friuli wines in the 1960s

The success of Super Tuscan wines in the 1970s

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12
Q

How many native Italian grape varieties are there?

A

Between 375 and 500

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13
Q

What oak was traditionally used to mature Italian wines?

A

Large Slovenian oak casks
1000 to 5000l
Used over years allowing slow oxidation but no new oak flavour

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14
Q

How did use of oak in Italian winemaking change in the 80s and 90s?

A

Producers used more French oak barriques

There was more use of new oak

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15
Q

What is the term for wines which do not qualify for DOC status?

A

Vino da Tavola

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16
Q

What does the term “Classico” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

A

Wines made exclusively from grapes from a defined historical area

17
Q

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines made exclusively from grapes from a defined historical area?

A

Classico

18
Q

What does the term “ Superiore” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

A

Wines with a higher minimum required alcohol level, typically 0.5%

19
Q

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines with a higher minimum required alcohol level, typically 0.5%?

A

Superiore

20
Q

What does the term “Riserva” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

A

Wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least 2 years for reds and one year for whites.

Some DOCs and DOCGs specify that part of the ageing must be in oak

21
Q

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least 2 years for reds and one year for whites.

A

Riserva

22
Q

What term, introduced in 1992, is equivalent to the French PGI?

A

IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

23
Q

What was Italy’s wine production in 2017?

A

42.5 million Hl

24
Q

What size are average vineyard holdings in Italy?

A

Less than 2ha - small!

25
Q

Name the five largest wine companies in Italy

A
Caviro
Cantine Riunite
Gruppo Italiano Vini
Santa Margherita
Zonin
26
Q

What percentage of Italy’s wine by volume was exported in 2017?

A

40%

Half of this was sparkling

27
Q

What are the most important export markets for Italy?

A
USA (26%)
Germany (18%)
UK
Canada 
Switzerland