Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Cert. Somm Exam > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What major regions are included in Southern Italy and the Islands?

A
  • Calabria
  • Campania
  • Sardegna (Sardinia)
  • Sicilia (Sicily)
  • Basilicata
  • Puglia (Apulia)

CCSSBP - Cape Cod Sits Silently By Photographs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is The Bellini? Where did it originate?

A
  • Sparkling wine cocktail
  • Originated in Veneto
  • Prosecco + white peach juice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the top regions/wines in Veneto?

A
  • Soave DOC
  • Valpolicella DOC
  • Amarone della Valpolicella DOC
  • Prosecco DOC
  • Pinot Grigio della Venezia DOC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How is the terroir divided in Veneto?

A
  • North: Cooler conditions (Italian Alps and Adriatic Sea)
  • South: Flat plain, temperate climates (warming influence of Adriatic Sea)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Valpolicella DOC

  • type of wine
  • grape(s)
A
  • Red wine
  • Uses Corvina grape
  • Sometimes Rondinella and Molinara
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG?

  • location
  • types of wine
  • grape
A
  • covers the central area of Chianti
  • original borders drawn up in 1716
  • restrictive winemaking practices
  • result: most complex/intense wines
  • min. 85% sangiovese
  • “gallo negro” seal = Chianti Classico growers association
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Riserva

A

Aged for a specified period longer than the minimum regional standards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are three notable grapes in Tuscany besides Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon?

A
  • Vernaccia (white)
  • Canaiolo (red - used to complement Sangiovese blends)
  • Merlot (full bodied, rich, firm structure, ripe berries)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are Italian wine laws referred to?

A

DOC Laws (loosely based on the French AOC laws)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are some important DOCGs in Lombardy?

A
  • Franciacorta (sparkling)
  • Valtellina (nebbiolo reds)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are imporant DOCGs in Lombardy?

A
  • Valtellina Superiore DOCG (nebbiolo reds)
  • Franciacorta DOCG (quality metodo classico sparkling)
  • Sforzato di Valtellina
  • Oltrepo Pavese Classico (traditional method sparkling)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which region is the top-producing wine region in NE Italy?

A

Veneto

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are important Piedmont DOCs?

A
  • Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC
  • Barbera d’Alba DOC
  • Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the top white grape in Piedmont? The top red?

A
  • White: Moscato
  • Red: Nebbiolo
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Dolce

A

Sweet

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are the wines of Emilia Romagna?

A
  • Albana di Romagna DOCG
  • Sangiovese di Romagna based reds (not like Chianti)
  • Lambrusco
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What Italian region boasts more DOC and DOCG wines than any other region?

A

Piedmont

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the flavor profile of Pinot Grigio from Veneto?

A
  • lean acidic flavors
  • green apples
  • citrus
  • minerals stainless steel
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What major regions are included in Northwestern Italy?

A
  • Emilia-Romagna
  • Liguria
  • Lombardia (Lombardy)
  • Piemonte (Piedmont)
  • Toscano (Tuscany)
  • Valle d’Aosta

(Acronym: PV TELL)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the important DOCGs in Friuli?

A
  • Ramandolo Picolit
  • Picolit-Gialla
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Superiore

A

Can represent a higher level of alcohol, longer aging, or a more specific appellation depending on the region the wine comes from

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Vin Santo

A

A style of white dessert wine made from dried out grapes to concentrate their sugar content.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What major regions are included in Central Italy?

A
  • Marche (The Marches)
  • Molise
  • Lazio (Latium)
  • Abruzzo
  • Umbria

(Acronym: MMLAU - my mother likes a unicorn)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which grape is the most widely grown grape in Piedmont?

A

Barbera

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Spumante

A

Frothy/Carbonated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What are the Goria laws?

A
  • Agricultural Minister Giovanni Goria
  • Enacted in 1992 to address shortcomings of the DOC system (Vino da Tavola Revolt)
  • Introduction of the IGT
  • Producers can petition for DOC status using the IGT designation
  • Didn’t address yield issues, changes in progress
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What flavors are significant regarding Sangiovese from Tuscany?

A
  • Med.-Full Bodied
  • Earthy
  • Complex
  • Citrus
  • Spice
  • Dried Cherries
  • Acidity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are the top red grapes from Tuscany?

A
  • Sangiovese (Brunello)
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are some clonal names for sangiovese?

A
  • Brunello
  • Prugnolo
  • Morellino
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What major regions are included in Northeastern Italy?

A
  • Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli)
  • Trentino-Alto Adige
  • Veneto

FTV - Friends Travel (in) Vans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Lower Quality Wines Made with Very Few Restrictions “Table Wines”

A

Vino da Tavola

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What is significant about Tuscany when compared to Piedmont?

A
  • Piedmont = traditional winemakers
  • Tuscan wine industry = modern winemaking
  • Super Tuscans = 1970s and 1980s
  • Forced changes in DOC laws
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Which wines is Piedmont famous for?

A
  • Sweet, sparkling white wines (Asti DOCG)
  • annic, powerful reds (Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOC)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What are important Friuli Venezia Giulia DOCGs?

A

Ramandolo (Verduzzo) Picolt & Picolit-Gialla

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

Classico

A

Typically a wine that comes from a traditional or more restrictive area inside a recognized region

36
Q

What is notable about Lombardy?

A

-Produces some of Italy’s top wines -Sparkling -Uses metodo classico (same as Champagne)

37
Q

What is the difference between Asti and Moscato d’Asti?

A

They are both made from 100% Moscato grapes. Asti is less sweet with higher alcohol and more carbonated Both are best consumed young

38
Q

What is significant about the Nebbiolo wines produced in Piedmont?

A

Extremely tannic, acidic, full-bodied, high in alcohol Intensely flavored, complex, dark fruit notes, wet earth, truffle oil, violets, star anise Quality production is limited to Piedmont

39
Q

What type of wine is Veneto known for?

A

Pinot Grigio from vineyards near Venice, also makes sparkling and intense reds

40
Q

What is the climate in Tuscany?

A

Temperate to warm with a Mediterranean influence

41
Q

What are important Veneto DOCs?

A

Prosecco

Soave

42
Q

What is significant about the Barolo DOCG?

A

100% Nebbiolo Wine must be aged a minimum of three years before being released (2 must be in a barrel) Extended bottle aging will result in softer structure and breathtaking complexity

43
Q

What is the Charmat method?

A

Double fermentation similar to methode champenoise - the second fermentation take place inside large, pressurized tank to create carbonation (not in a bottle) Result: clean and fruity but no yeast like Champagne

44
Q

What were the major setbacks for Italian winemaking?

A

1) Phylloxera (late 1800s and early 1900s) 2) Two world wars/worldwide depression

45
Q

What grape is used to make Prosecco?

46
Q

Strictest and Top Quality Classification (Only a Select Few Appellations), adds a Guarantee, wine is approved by gov’t tasting panel

47
Q

Italian Wine Terms: Vino rosso Vino bianco Vino rasato

A

Vino rosso - Red Wine Vino bianco - White Wine Vino rasato - Rose Wine

48
Q

What is the climate in Piedmont?

A

Continental due to the mountains that surround it. Piedmont means “foot of the mountain”

49
Q

What are the top grapes in Veneto?

A

White: Pinot Grigio Red: Corvina

50
Q

What two wines are made with the recioto process? How are they different?

A

Recioto della Valpolicella DOC - fermentation is stopped before completed (results in a sweet wine/fruit flavor) Amarone della Calpolicella DOC - fermentation carried out until the wine is dry (highly tannic, rich with dried dark fruit notes)

51
Q

Secco

52
Q

Recioto/Appassimento Process

A

(Veneto) 1) Winemakers harvest 2) Grapes dry out in bunches -Climate controlled rooms 3) Become raisins, lose water content 4) Crushed/Fermented

53
Q

What is unique about the Gavi DOCG?

A

Produces a dry, white wine 100% Cortese Expensive, rich, complex

54
Q

What are the main grape varietals in Soave DOC?

A

Veneto White wine - Garganega Blended with Trebbiano

55
Q

What are other notable grapes from Piedmont (beside Nebbiolo and Moscato)?

A

Cortese - white, light bodied acidity (ripe citrus fruit) Barbera - red workhorse grape, best in Piedmont Dolcetto - high quality red

56
Q

What is significant about the Moscato d’Asti wines from Piedmont?

A

Sweet, soft, sparkling From Asti DOCG Burst with ripe, tropical fruit & stone fruit flavors Slight soapy scent Low in alcohol Fermentations are stopped early

57
Q

What are the four quality classifications of the DOC laws?

A

DOCG, DOC, IGT, and vino da tavola

58
Q

How is Prosecco made?

A

Veneto Charmat method

59
Q

What is unique to Piedmont wines?

A

Single variety wines (very few blends), similar to Burgundy, wines show the unique terroir of small, classified regions.

60
Q

Better-Quality Wines Made Under Fairly Loose Restrictions (no restrictions on grapes used)

61
Q

Strict and High Quality Classification, (appellations, grape varieties, yields, winemaking, aging, and more)

62
Q

What are the top regions/wines from Tuscany?

A

Chianti DOCG Chianto Classico DOCG Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Toscano IGT - the Super Tuscans

63
Q

What are the top wine regions in Piedmont?

A

Asti DOCG/Moscato d’Asti DOCG Dolcetto d’Alba DOC Barbera d’Alba DOC Barolo DOCF Barbaresco DOCG

64
Q

What grape varietal and percentage is in wines from the Chianti DOCG?

A

75-100% sangiovese

65
Q

What is the flavor profile of Corvina?

A

From Veneto light-bodied, acidic wine (cool-climate red grape) concentrated red fruit smoky sometimes made in vin santo fasion

66
Q

What is significant about Brunello di Monalcino DOCG?

A

brunello = ‘little brown one’ = local name for sangiovese clone grown there -strictese regulation on yield/aging -wines aged 4 years (2 in wood) very structured wines, intense tannins, complex, earthy flavors

67
Q

Passito

A

A type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have been dried out before crushing to concentrate their sugar content.

68
Q

What is unique about the Barbaresco DOCG region?

A

100% Nebbiolo More temperate climate = softer tannins, less structure, more fruit “more feminine in style”

69
Q

What are the important Piedmont DOCGs?

A

Barolo Barbaresco Gattinara ASti (full sparkling - charmat) Moscato d’Asti (frizzante) Barbera d’Asti Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Gavi Roero

70
Q

What grape is often blended with Sangiovese wines from Tuscany?

A

Cabernet Sauvignon, adds power and tannins Heavy use in Super Tuscans

71
Q

What are the classic (top) regions of Italy?

A

Piemont (Piedmont), Toscano (Tuscany), and Veneto

72
Q

What is Friuli Venezia Giulia known for?

A

High quality varietal wines White: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco

73
Q

What are the DOCGs of Tuscany?

A

Chianti Chianti Classico Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Brunelle di Montalcino Morellino di Scansano Vernaccia di San Gimignano Associate all of these with Tuscan viticulture

74
Q

In which DOCGs in Tuscany is Sangiovese the principal red grape?

A

Chianti, Chianti Classico, Carmignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, and Montecucco Sangiovese

75
Q

What is the sole red grape of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?

A

Sangiovese

76
Q

What is Italy’s most planted white grape?

A

Trebbiano Toscano

77
Q

What are the subzones of Chianti?

A

Classico, Rùfina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Colli Aretini, Montalbano, Montespertoli

78
Q

What is governo?

A

refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation

Legally permitted in Chianti

79
Q

What are the two most common types of soil in Chianti Classico?

A
  • soft, friable, marl-like galestro
  • alberese, or sandstone
80
Q

What were the first Super Tuscans called?

A
  • Sassicaia
  • Tignanello
81
Q

What are important Umbria appellations?

A
  • Torgiano Riserva DOCG
  • Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
  • Orvieto DOC
82
Q

What are important appellations of the Marches? (“mark-ay”)

A
  • Verdicchio
  • Vernaccia
  • Rosso
83
Q

What is the top white and red grape of the Marches?

A
  • White: Verdicchio
  • Red: Montepulciano
84
Q

What is the top white and red grape of Abruzzo?

A

White: Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Red: Montepulciano

85
Q

What are the important appellations of Campania?

A
  • Fiano di Avellino DOCG
  • Greco di Tufo DOCG
  • Taurasi DOCG
  • Aflianico del Taburno DOCG
86
Q

What are is an important appellation of Apulia?

A

Negro Amaro

87
Q

What is an important red grape of Sicily?

A

Nero d’Avola

Cert. Somm Exam (28 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions