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WSET 3 > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

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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
Q

Describe a premium Barolo wine

A

Perfumed aromas of sour cherry / herbs / dried flowers / full-bodied / high acid / high tannin / ability to bottle-age

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26
Q

How long must a wine from Barolo DOCG be aged before release?

A

3 years, with 18 months in oak

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27
Q

How does Barbaresco differ from Barolo?

A
  • 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
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Asti and Alba?

A

Barbera

29
Q

Describe the Barbera grape

A
  • Late ripening grape
  • Medium to deep colo
  • Low-med tannins
  • High acid
  • Aromas of red cherry / plums / black pepper
30
Q

Describe the Dolcetto grape

A
  • 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
Q

What is the Gavi DOCG known for?

A

Wines made from the Cortese grape that have high acidity and citrus / green apple / pear notes

32
Q

What gives Gavi DOCG a cooler climate?

A

Foothills and sea breezes

33
Q

What are the primary geographical factors of Central Italy?

A
  • Apennine Mountains, whose foothills provide a range of climates / altitudes for grape growing
  • Cooling influences from sea breezes on coasts
34
Q

Describe the Sangiovese grape

A

High acid / high tannin / late-ripening / red cherry / plum / dried herb / usually sees time in oak

35
Q

What are two sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG known for the quality of their wines?

A

Chianti Colli Senesi and Chianti Rufina

36
Q

How does Chianti Classico DOCG differ from Chianti DOCG?

A
  • Higher altitudes slow ripening of Sangiovese resulting in higher acidity / herbal aromas
  • Must be aged 12 months before release
37
Q

How long must a Chianti Classico Riserva be aged?

A

24 months, at least 3 in bottle

38
Q

What are the stipulations for Gran Selezione Chianti?

A
  • 6 months longer aging than Riserva (30 months)

- Grapes must be sourced from a single estate

39
Q

How do the vineyards of Southern Tuscany differ from those of Northern Tuscany?

A
  • Lower altitudes
  • Warmer climate
  • Cool maritime breezes from SW
  • Wines are more intense, fuller-bodied than Chianti
40
Q

What separates the wines of Brunello di Montalcino from all other Tuscan reds?

A

Must be 100% Sangiovese

41
Q

What are the aging requirements for wines from Brunello di Montalcino?

A

5 years, 2 in oak

42
Q

What is the flat, coastal region of Tuscany known for?

A

“Super-Tuscan” blends made primarily from Bordeaux varieties blended with Sangiovese and other local grapes

43
Q

What is unique about the appellations of Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?

A

Wines can be made entirely from non-Italian varieties

44
Q

What is the climate of Umbria?

A

Similar to Tuscany, but more continental. No influence from Mediterranean.

45
Q

What is Orvieto DOC?

A

A white wine from Umbria, made from a blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano. Light body / medium in acid / ripe grapefruit / peaches

46
Q

What is Umbria’s most prestigious red wine?

A

Sangrantino di Montefalco

47
Q

What is the best-known wine of Lazio?

A

Frascati DOC

48
Q

What is Frascati DOC?

A

A blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano. Medium body / medium to high acid / citrus / floral / orange blossom

49
Q

What is the Marche region best-known for?

A

White wines made from the Verdicchio grape, especially from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

50
Q

Describe the Verdicchio grape

A

Naturally high acid / green apple / lemons / fennel / can bottle age

51
Q

What is Abruzzo famous for?

A

The black grape Montepulciano, primarily from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

52
Q

What are the characteristics of a wine made from Montepulciano?

A

High color / high tannin / medium acid / cherry / black plum

53
Q

Describe the climate of Southern Italy

A

Hot and dry inland, becoming humid near the coast

54
Q

What makes the region of Campania unique for Italian winemaking?

A

It is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south

55
Q

What are the best white wines of Campania?

A

Wines made from the Fiano and Greco grapes, especially from Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo

56
Q

Describe wines made from the Fiano grape

A

Medium acid / med-full body / stone fruits / melons / mangos

57
Q

Describe wines made from the Greco grape

A

Higher acid / leaner body / green apple / stone fruits / passion fruit

58
Q

What is the most prestigious black grape of Southern Italy?

A

Aglianico

59
Q

Describe wines made from the Aglianico grape

A

Deep. color / high acid / high tannin / black fruit

60
Q

Where do the best examples of Aglianico come from?

A

Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Vulture DOC

61
Q

What are the dominant grapes of Puglia?

A

Negroamaro and Primitivo

62
Q

What would a high-yield, simple fruity wine from Puglia be sold as?

A

Puglia IGT

63
Q

What is Salice Salentino DOC known for?

A

High quality Negroamaro showing full body / med acid / high alcohol / high tannins / baked red and black fruits

64
Q

Describe Nero d’Avola

A

Medium to full body / medium acid / medium tannins / plum / black cherry

65
Q

What is the difference between IGT Terre di Sicilia and Sicilia DOC?

A

Sicilia DOC’s yields are slightly lower

66
Q

What is Etna DOC known for?

A

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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