Italian wine history and grapes

Question 1

What is Magna Graecia?
how did this influence the Italian wine culture?

Answer 1

A term that refers to a group of Greek cities along the coast of southern Italy.

It is believed that the Greeks were widely responsible for the initial boom in the Italian wine culture.

Question 2

Top white varietals of Italy.

Answer 2

Pinot Grigio
Trebbiano Toscano
Glera
Verdicchio
Vermentino
Chardonnay

Question 3

What are the three B’s of Italy?

Answer 3

Barolo
Barbaresco
Brunello di Montalcino

Question 4

Define DOCG

Answer 4

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

Was introduced in 1963. Today there are 77 DOCG’s.

Must wait 5 yrs after obtaining DOC status for a region to apply for DOCG status.

Has the strictest protocols and quality control.

Question 5

Top red varietals of Italy.

Answer 5

Sangiovese
Montepulciano
Barbera
Aglianico
Nebbiolo
Merlot

Question 6

Sangiovese qualities

Answer 6

• A slow ripening grape.
• Has thin skins, making it susceptible to Botrytis.
• Wines have elevated to high acidity and tannins, and medium to low pigmentation.
• Common Characteristics include cherry and dried herbs.

-Makes the basis for Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Question 7

Because of its tight clusters, Pinot Grigio is susceptible to _________?

a) Mildew c) Black mold
b) Botrytis d) Pierce’s disease

Answer 7

b) Botrytis

but in optimal conditions this can result in high-quality dessert wines.

Question 8

Which mountain range is considered the spine of Italy?

Answer 8

The Appennines mountains. It runs almost the entire length of Italy, into Calabria and Sicilia.
It provides a multitude of aspects, elevations, and mesoclimates to allow for its viticultural diversity.

Question 9

Define IGT.

Answer 9

Indicazione Geografica Tipica.

A gateway classification for wines in classified as vino to possibly become DOC status.
85% of the grapes must come from the designated region.

Question 10

Synonyms of Sangiovese

Answer 10

• Brunello (in Montalcino)
• Prugnolo Gentile (in Montepulciano)
• Sangiovese di Lamole (in Chianti)
• Nielluccio (in Corsica, part of France)

Question 11

What are the four levels of the Italian wine classification?

Answer 11

Vino

Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

Question 12

What is the Disciplinare di produzione?

Answer 12

the document that stipulates the regulations for each DOC

Question 13

The most planted grape in Italy.

Answer 13

Sangiovese / with 54,000 hectares.

Makes up 8% of Italy’s plantings.

The name is believed to have derived from the Latin ‘Sanguis Jovis’, meaning blood of Jupiter.

Encompasses a vast clonal diversity.

Question 14

Countries that border Italy in the North.

Answer 14

France
Switzerland
Austria
Slovenia

Question 15

What were the first DOCG’s in Italy?

Answer 15

Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Were granted DOCG in 1980.

Question 16

Define DOC.

Answer 16

Denominazione di Origine Controllata.

This tier was established in 1962.

The first DOC was Vernaccia di San Gimignano, in 1966.

The DOC is governed by a ‘consorzio’, an organization composed of the region’s grower-producers, which sets these local wine laws.