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WSET 3 > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What are some of the major geographical features affecting the climate of Northern Italy?

A
  • The Alps: bringing cold air down to all of Santa’s good children and sheltering vineyards from rain
  • Local Rivers (the Po): moderate temperatures + fog
  • Glacial Lakes (Lake Garda): moderate temperatures
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2
Q

How were vineyards traditionally planted in Northern Italy?

A

High-yielding vines at low densities, using the Pergola system

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3
Q

What town is the region of Alto Adige centered around?

A

Bolzano

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4
Q

What are some the geographical and climactic features of Alto Adige?

A
  • Moderate climate with short, dry summers and low rainfall
  • Large diurnal temperature range because of altitude
  • Vineyards are planted on terraces on SE and SW facing sides of the valley of the Adige River
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5
Q

What is the most important grape of Alto Adige?

A

Pinot Grigio

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6
Q

What is the dominant red grape of Alto Adige, and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Schiava

- Light / fruity / low-med tannins / raspberry / plum

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7
Q

How does the region of Trentino differ from Alto Adige?

A
  • Warmer
  • Valley is wider, and vineyards and vineyards are on valley floor as well as slopes
  • Lower altitudes, in general
  • Main varieties are Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, and warmer-climate black grapes like Merlot and Teroldego are also grown
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8
Q

Where is Friuli-Venezia Giulia located and what is its climate?

A
  • Located in the foothills of the Alps
  • Moderate continental climate
  • Cooled by cold air from the mountains
  • Vineyards in the south of the region, in the flat plain near the Adriatic Sea, have a warm maritime climate
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9
Q

What are the primary grapes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Pinot Grigio and Merlot

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10
Q

What is the style of Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Some of the richest Pinot Grigio in Italy.

Med-full body / juicy peach / tropical

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11
Q

What is Friulano?

A

Native grape to Friuli-Venezia Giulia producing wines with med-high acid / med body / pear / red apple / herb

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12
Q

What is the climate of Veneto and what geographical features impact it?

A
  • Warm climate with moderate rainfall
  • Cooling influences from altitude and breezes from Lake Garda
  • Plains area affected by moist air and fog from the River Po
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13
Q

What is a challenge to grape growing in the Veneto?

A

Moist air and fog from River Po on the plains increase disease pressure

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14
Q

What distinguishes Soave Classico DOC from Soave DOC?

A
  • Grapes grown in foothills to the north of the region
  • Soils here are composed of limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks
  • Naturally cool soils along with altitude give wines higher acidity and freshness
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15
Q

What is the main variety of Soave?

A

Garganega

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16
Q

What distinguishes Valpolicella Classico DOC from Valpolicella DOC?

A
  • Grapes grown in foothills to the north of the region
  • Soils here are composed of limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks
  • Naturally cool soils along with altitude give wines higher acidity and freshness
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17
Q

What is the main variety of Valpolicella and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Corvina

- Thin-skinned grape with moderate color / low-med tannin / high acid

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18
Q

How might a winemaker increase the color and tannins of a wine made in Valpollicella?

A

Other local grapes will be added to the blend

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19
Q

What is the passito method in the Veneto?

A

Grapes are picked early to retain high acidity, and then dried indoors.

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20
Q

What are the three types of passito-method wine produced in Veneto?

A
  • Amarone della Valpolicella
  • Recioto della Valpolicella
  • Recioto di Soave
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21
Q

Describe the steps of the Ripasso method

A
  1. An amarone is drained off its skins slightly before fermentation finishes
  2. The skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentation
  3. Yeast ferment the remaining sugar on the amarone skins
  4. Skins give more color, tannin, and flavor to the base wine
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22
Q

What are the climatic and geographical factors of Piemonte?

A
  • Moderate continental climate with long, cold winters and summers with thunderstorms, hail, and fog
  • Mountains in the north provide a rain shadow protecting the region from northern winds and rain
  • Po River is a moderating factor in the southern part of the region
  • Lake Maggiore is a moderating factor in the northern part of the region
  • Foothills across the region provide varying altitudes
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23
Q

What are the three main black grapes and two white grapes of Piemonte?

A
  • Barbera
  • Dolcetto
  • Nebbiolo
  • Cortese
  • Muscat
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24
Q

Describe the region of Barolo

A
  • Horseshoe-shaped valley spanning several villages
  • Steep south-facing slopes
  • 300-500 m elevation
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25
Describe a premium Barolo wine
Perfumed aromas of sour cherry / herbs / dried flowers / full-bodied / high acid / high tannin / ability to bottle-age
26
How long must a wine from Barolo DOCG be aged before release?
3 years, with 18 months in oak
27
How does Barbaresco differ from Barolo?
- Lower altitudes (200-400 m) - Nebbiolo here ripens earlier - Wines are fruitier, less perfumed - Wines must only age for 2 years, with 9 months in oak
28
What is the most widely planted grape in Asti and Alba?
Barbera
29
Describe the Barbera grape
- Late ripening grape - Medium to deep colo - Low-med tannins - High acid - Aromas of red cherry / plums / black pepper
30
Describe the Dolcetto grape
- Earlier ripening than Nebbiolo or Barbera, so it can be planted in the coolest sites - Deep purple in color - Medium tannins - Medium acidity - Black plum / red cherry / dried herbs
31
What is the Gavi DOCG known for?
Wines made from the Cortese grape that have high acidity and citrus / green apple / pear notes
32
What gives Gavi DOCG a cooler climate?
Foothills and sea breezes
33
What are the primary geographical factors of Central Italy?
- Apennine Mountains, whose foothills provide a range of climates / altitudes for grape growing - Cooling influences from sea breezes on coasts
34
Describe the Sangiovese grape
High acid / high tannin / late-ripening / red cherry / plum / dried herb / usually sees time in oak
35
What are two sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG known for the quality of their wines?
Chianti Colli Senesi and Chianti Rufina
36
How does Chianti Classico DOCG differ from Chianti DOCG?
- Higher altitudes slow ripening of Sangiovese resulting in higher acidity / herbal aromas - Must be aged 12 months before release
37
How long must a Chianti Classico Riserva be aged?
24 months, at least 3 in bottle
38
What are the stipulations for Gran Selezione Chianti?
- 6 months longer aging than Riserva (30 months) | - Grapes must be sourced from a single estate
39
How do the vineyards of Southern Tuscany differ from those of Northern Tuscany?
- Lower altitudes - Warmer climate - Cool maritime breezes from SW - Wines are more intense, fuller-bodied than Chianti
40
What separates the wines of Brunello di Montalcino from all other Tuscan reds?
Must be 100% Sangiovese
41
What are the aging requirements for wines from Brunello di Montalcino?
5 years, 2 in oak
42
What is the flat, coastal region of Tuscany known for?
"Super-Tuscan" blends made primarily from Bordeaux varieties blended with Sangiovese and other local grapes
43
What is unique about the appellations of Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?
Wines can be made entirely from non-Italian varieties
44
What is the climate of Umbria?
Similar to Tuscany, but more continental. No influence from Mediterranean.
45
What is Orvieto DOC?
A white wine from Umbria, made from a blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano. Light body / medium in acid / ripe grapefruit / peaches
46
What is Umbria's most prestigious red wine?
Sangrantino di Montefalco
47
What is the best-known wine of Lazio?
Frascati DOC
48
What is Frascati DOC?
A blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano. Medium body / medium to high acid / citrus / floral / orange blossom
49
What is the Marche region best-known for?
White wines made from the Verdicchio grape, especially from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
50
Describe the Verdicchio grape
Naturally high acid / green apple / lemons / fennel / can bottle age
51
What is Abruzzo famous for?
The black grape Montepulciano, primarily from Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
52
What are the characteristics of a wine made from Montepulciano?
High color / high tannin / medium acid / cherry / black plum
53
Describe the climate of Southern Italy
Hot and dry inland, becoming humid near the coast
54
What makes the region of Campania unique for Italian winemaking?
It is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south
55
What are the best white wines of Campania?
Wines made from the Fiano and Greco grapes, especially from Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo
56
Describe wines made from the Fiano grape
Medium acid / med-full body / stone fruits / melons / mangos
57
Describe wines made from the Greco grape
Higher acid / leaner body / green apple / stone fruits / passion fruit
58
What is the most prestigious black grape of Southern Italy?
Aglianico
59
Describe wines made from the Aglianico grape
Deep. color / high acid / high tannin / black fruit
60
Where do the best examples of Aglianico come from?
Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Vulture DOC
61
What are the dominant grapes of Puglia?
Negroamaro and Primitivo
62
What would a high-yield, simple fruity wine from Puglia be sold as?
Puglia IGT
63
What is Salice Salentino DOC known for?
High quality Negroamaro showing full body / med acid / high alcohol / high tannins / baked red and black fruits
64
Describe Nero d'Avola
Medium to full body / medium acid / medium tannins / plum / black cherry
65
What is the difference between IGT Terre di Sicilia and Sicilia DOC?
Sicilia DOC's yields are slightly lower
66
What is Etna DOC known for?
Wines from old, low-yielding vines at high altitudes on the slopes of Mount Etna. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are blended.

WSET 3 (21 decks)

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