Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Intro Sommelier 2020 > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main regions of Italy?

A 
Valle d'Aosta
Piedmont
Lombardy
Trentino-Alto Adige
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Emilia Romagna
Liguria
Tuscany
Umbria
Latium
Campania
Molise
Abruzzo
Puglia
Marche
Basilicata
Calabria
Sardinia
Sicily
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Before the rise of the Romans, who were producing wines in Italy?

A

Etruscan and Greek settles.

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

Evidence indicates that vines were planted widely across Italy back to what century?

A

3rd.

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

Where does the peninsula of Italy located?

A

Between the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas (west)

The Ionian Sea (south)

Adriatic Sea (east)

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

What mountain ranges can be found in Italy?

A

The Apennine Mountains run like a backbone down the center of the peninsula.

The Alps cover a large part of the Northern regions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the climate in Italy?

A

Spans from cool, continental in the north (near the Alps_ and warm in the south towards Sicily.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How many grape varietals can you find in Italy?

A

Over 1,300 registered varieties.

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

How many (roughly) vineyards are their in Italy?

A

900,000 registered vineyards.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the Wine Law/Classification in Italy for wines with geographic indication?

A

IGP - Indicazione Geografica Protetta
(includes IGT)

DOP - Denominazione di Origine Protetta
(includes DOC and DOCG)

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

What is the DOC and what year was it first introduced?

A

Denominazione di Origine Controllata
(to formalize and protect Italian wine regions)

1963

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the four basic levels of Wine Classification in Italy?

A

DOCG
DO
IGT
Vino

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does ‘classico’ refer to on an Italian wine label?

A

A traditional, theoretically superior vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG.

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

What does ‘riserva’ mean on an Italian wine label?

A

Means “reserve” and is legally defined. This term usually indicates extended aging (in cask, then bottle) and can denote lower yields and higher alcohol depending on the appellation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does ‘superiore’ refer to on an Italian wine label?

A

Denotes higher level of alcohol or longer aging depending on the appellation.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What does ‘spumate’ mean on an Italian wine label?

A

Sparkling wine.

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

What does ‘frizzante’ mean on an Italian wine label?

A

Lightly sparkling.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is ‘metodo classico’ in Italy?

A

Tradition method for making sparkling wines.

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

What does ‘secco’ mean in Italy?

A

Dry.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What does ‘amabile’ mean in Italy?

A

Off-dry.

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

What does ‘dolce’ mean in Italy?

A

Sweet.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What does ‘recioto/passito’ mean in Italy?

A

A wine made from dried grapes that is often sweet.

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

What are the Northern wine regions of Italy?

A 
Valle d'Aosta
Lombardy
Trentino-Alto Adige
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Piedmont
Liguria
Emilia Romagna
Veneto
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

‘Nebbia’ refers to what in Piedmont?

A

It is a pervasive fog that often settles over vineyards near harvest and is thought to be the inspiration for the name of the Nebbiolo grape.

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

Where is Piedmont located in Italy?

A

Northwestern, bordering both France and Switzerland.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
'Piedmont is a French word that means what?
"Foot of the Mountain"
26
What is the most important river of Piedmont?
The Po
27
What mountains cradle the region of Piedmont?
Alps to the north and west. | Apennine to the south and east.
28
What is the climate like in Piedmont?
Continental. | Rain shadow from the Alps.
29
What type of soils are found in Piedmont?
Limestone and sandstone.
30
What are the major grape varietals of Piedmont?
(white) Moscato Arneis Cortese ``` (red) Barbera Nebbiolo Dolcetto Brachetto ```
31
What are the appellations of Piedmont?
``` Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG Moscato d'Asti and Asti DOCG Barbera d'Asti DOCG Gavi DOCG Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG ```
32
What grape(s) make up Barolo and Barbaresco wines?
100% Nebbiolo.
33
How are Barolo and Barbaresco wines vinified?
Dry red wines. Long oak aging in large/small barriques. Time in oak/minimum age regulate by law.
34
What are the minimum age requirements for Barbaresco?
26 months total | minimum of 9 months in oak
35
What are the minimum age requirements for Barolo?
38 months total | minimum of 18 months in oak
36
What is the main grape of Asti?
100% Moscato
37
How are Moscato d'Asti and Asti DOCG wines vinified?
Moscato d'Asti = off dry, frizzante wines Asti DOCG = white, spumante, or metodo classico sparkling wines.
38
What is the main grape of Barbera d'Asti?
Barbera.
39
What is the main grape/style of wine made in Gavi DOCG?
Cortese. | Dry white wines.
40
What style of wines are made in Brachetto d'Acqui?
Brachetto (grape). Sweet, sparkling red wines.
41
Where is Lombardy located?
Northeast of Milan in the foothills of the Alps near the famous lakes.
42
What are the three famous lakes in Northern in Italy?
Como, Iseo, and Garda.
43
What is the climate in Lombardy?
Cool continental.
44
What are the main grape varietals of Lombary?
(white) Chardonnay Pinot Bianco (red) Pinot Nero Nebbiolo
45
What are the appellations within Lombardy?
Franciacorta DOCG | Valtellina Superiore DOCG
46
What grapes/styles of wine are made in Franciacorta?
Metodo classico sparkling wines only. Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero.
47
What grapes/styles of wine are made in Valtellina?
Nebbiolo. | Oak aged, dry red wines.
48
What is the climate like in Valtellina Superiore?
High altitude and alpine with abundant sunshine for long, slow growing seasons.
49
Where is Trento-Alto Adige located?
On the Alpine border of Austria and Switzerland.
50
Which two cultures influenced the wine making in Trento-Alto Adige?
Germanic (north) | Italian (south)
51
What is the climate like in Trentino-Alto Adige?
Continental with cold winters and surprisingly warm summers.
52
What are the main grapes found in Trentino-Alto Adige?
(white_ Pinot Grigio Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Bianco (red) Merlot Lagrein
53
What are the appellations found in Trentino-Alto Adige?
``` Trentino DOC Alto Adige (Südtiroler) DOC ```
54
Where is the Veneto located?
Northeastern Italy in the foothills of the Alps extending eastward to the border of the Adriatic Sea.
55
What are the appellations found in the Veneto?
Soave DOC Soave Superiore DOCG Prosecco DOC Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG Valpolicella DOC Valpolicella Classico DOC Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
56
What is the main grape/style made in Soave?
Garganega. | Dry white wines only.
57
What is the main grape/style of wine made in Prosecco?
Glera. | Charmat/tank method sparkling wines.
58
What are the main grapes/styles of wine made in Valpolicella?
Corvina (dominant) Rodinella. Dry red wines.
59
What process is used to make Amarone wines?
Appassimento Process
60
What is the Appassimento Process?
Grapes are harvested and dried for several weeks Fruit dries and develops unique flavor characteristics Wine is fermented to dry or off-dry High alcohol wines produced are generally 14 –16% ABV
61
Where is Friuli-Venezia-Giulia located?
Northeastern Italy, extending eastward to the border with Slovenia.
62
What are the main grape varietals of Friuli?
(white) Pinot Grigio Sauvignon Blanc Friulano (red) Merlot
63
What is the most widely planted red grape found in Friuli?
Merlot.
64
Where is Emilia Romagna located?
A large region extending from the heart of north-central Italy eastward to the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
65
What is the topography like in Emilia-Romagna?
Broad, vast plains with intensive agriculture and viticulture.
66
What are the Central Regions of Italy?
``` Tuscany Marche Abruzzo Umbria Latium ```
67
Where is Tuscany located?
Extends from the Ligurian Sea in the west to the foothills of the Apennine Mountains in the east?
68
What are the main grapes found in Tuscany?
Vernaccia (white) | ``` red Sangiovese Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot ```
69
What are the appellations found in Tuscany?
Chianti DOCG Chianti Classico DOCG Brunello di Montalcino
70
What is the main grape/minimum for dry red wines in Chianti DOCG?
Sangiovese - 70%
71
What is the main grape/minimum for dry red wines in Chianti DOCG?
Sangiovese - 80%
72
What type of soil is found in the Chianti Classico region?
Galestro (soft, marl like soil) | Sandstone
73
Where is Chianti Classico located?
A smaller area in the heart of the Chianti region that has more stringent rules/age requirements than Chianti DOCG.
74
What grape is locally called 'Brunello' in Tuscany?
Sangiovese Grosso
75
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?
Aged for a minimum of 2 years in wood, plus 4 months in bottle. They may not be sold before January 1st of the fifth year after harvest.
76
What style of wood is used to age the wines of Brunello di Montalcino?
Large Slovenian oak barrels or small barriques depending on the producer.
77
Where is the Marches located?
On the eastern coast of Italy along the Adriatic Sea and extending westward into the foothills of the Apennine Mountains.
78
What is the climate like in the Marche?
Mediterranean.
79
What is the main grape/style of wine found in Marches?
Verdicchio. Dry, unoaked white wines.
80
What are the appellations found in the Marches?
Verdicchio di Matelica DOC | Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
81
What are the Southern Regions of Italy?
``` Molise Puglia Campania Basilicata Calabria Sardinia Sicily ```
82
Where is Campania located?
Southern Italy, extending from the Mediterranean Sea into the mountains to the east, near Naples and the Amalfi Coast.
83
What is the climate like in Campania?
Mediterranean, sunny and warm.
84
What is the topography like in Campania?
A combination of relatively low-lying areas near the sea and very rugged terrain in the mostly volcanic mountains to the east.
85
What type of soils are found in Campania?
Alluvial sediments, volcanic soils.
86
What are the main grape varietals of Campania?
(white) Falanghina Fiano Greco (red) Aglianico
87
What are the appellations found in Campania?
Fiano di Avellino DOCG Greco di Tufo DOCG Taurasi DOCG
88
What is the main grape/style of wine made in Fiano di Avellino?
Fiano. | Dry white wines.
89
What is the main grape/style of wine made in Greco di Tufo?
Greco (ancient Greek) | Dry white wines.
90
What is the main grape/style of wine made in Taurasi?
Aglianico. | Dry, oak-aged, age-worthy reds.
91
What is the age requirement for Taurasi wines?
Aglianico. Aged a minimum of 3 years with one year in wood.
92
Where is Sicily located?
It is an island to the west of the mainland Italy in the Mediterranean Sea
93
What are the main grapes grown in Sicily?
Carricante (white) | Nero d'Avola, Nerello Mascalese (reds)
94
What is an important appellation found in Sicily?
Etna DOC
95
What are the main grapes/styles of wine made in Etna?
``` Carricante (white) Nerello Mascalese (red) ``` Dry whites, reds, and rosés.

Intro Sommelier 2020 (27 decks)

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