Italy: Central & Southern Flashcards
What are the two DOCGs of Umbria?
Torgiano Rosso Riserva & Sagrantino di Montefalco
Which grapes make up the blend of the famed Est!Est!!Est!!! Montefiascone wines?
50-65% Trebbiano Toscano, 25-40% Trebbiano Giallo (Rossetto), 10-20% Malvasia Bianca Lunga and/or Malvasia del Lazio
Orvieto DOC spans which 2 wine regions? Which grapes are permitted?
Lazio and Umbria; Min. 40% Grechetto, 20-40% Trebbiano Toscano or Procanico
Where in Italy might you find the Trebbiano Clone known as “Trebbiano Spoletino”? How is it trained? Name a producer who makes a wine in an homage to this grape and training method.
Trebbiano Spoletino is found in Umbria and is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. Paolo Bea makes a wine called “Arboreus” from this clone in this style
What city in Umbria was the historical summer retreat for the Papacy? What kind of wine is it famous for? What grape(s) is/are used to make this wine? What percentage of DOC classified Umbrian wine comes from this city/region?
Orvieto is the historical retreat of the Popes and is known for white wine produced from Grechetto & Trebbiano Toscana (along with Verdello, Canaiolo Bianco and others). Orvieto accounts for 70% of Umbria’s DOC classified wine
What are “Super Umbros”? (hint: they are not the 21st nod to the light nylon shorts beloved by soccer players (& the girls who crushed on them) in the 1990s) Which of the following producers makes a Super Umbro: Paolo Bea, Arnaldo Caprai, Lungarotti?
Super Umbro is a term that is used to describe the Umbrian version of the Super-Tuscan – wine made from Bordeaux varietals that have been stealthily invading Umbria. None of these very traditional producers makes (or probably would ever make) a Super-Umbro.
What was the first vintage of Arnaldo Caprai’s Sagrantino di Montefalco 25 Anni? What year was it released?
1993 vintage
1996 release
What is the flagship wine and vineyard of Paolo Bea?
Sagrantino di Montefalco “Pagliaro”
What are the eight subzones of Chianti?
Classico, Rufina, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli
What is Occio di Pernice?
A rosé version of Vin Santo, where a minimum of 50% Sangiovese is added to the white grape blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano. (In Bolgheri, 50-70% Sangiovese with 30-50% Malvasia Nera)
Where would you find the DOC of Lacrima di Morro d’Alba?
In the Marches, just south of the capital Ancona. This red wine is produced from 100% Lacrima, which produced a light red wine that is red-fruit driven with a little spice and florality. This wine is similar to Pinot Noir and is always a fun alternative for red to pair with Indian cuisine.
Who produced the first Brunello di Montalcino? What are the aging requirements?
Biondi-Santi produced the first Brunello in 1865. Brunello must be aged for a min. 2years in wood and 4 months in bottle. The wine may not be released until January 1st of the 5th year following harvest. Riserva While riserva requires an additional 2 months in bottle and may not be released until January 1st of the 6th year following harvest.
What is Elba?
About 12 miles off the coast of Maremma is the isle of Elba, notably the site of the French Emperor Napoleon’s exile in 1814. In 2011, the Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG was finalized for sweet red passito wines made from the Aleatico grape on the island. Aleatico has been genetically linked to the Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains grape; possibly it is a red-skinned mutation.
What is the only white wine in Tuscany to enjoy DOCG status?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano a crisp, pink grapefruit-tinged white wine produced on sandy, rock-strewn soils around the hilltop town of San Gimignano in the Siena province.
Which area of Italy became the first Italian wine to display the neck-strip of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.)?
“Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” became the first Italian wine to display the neck-strip of the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.).
What is Sangiovese called in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and how much of it is required by law in the blend?
It is called “Prugnolo Gentile” at Montepulciano with a minimum 70% (may be joined up to 30% by other allowable Tuscan varieties.)
True or false the grape requirements used for Rosso di Montepulciano DOC are identical to the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Its true. Sangiovese, minimum 70% (may be joined up to 30% by other varieties authorized for the Tuscany Region).
Who made the 1st‘super-Tuscan’ wine and when was it first released commercially? What was it’s original label designation?
The Marchese Mario Incisa della Rocchetta first made Saissicaia (Cabernet Sauvignon from his Tenuta San Guido estate in Bolgheri) in 1944; it was his personal wine. The first vintage released for commercial sale in 1971 was the 1968 vintage. The original label was Vino da Tavola.
What is Vino Cotto, and where is it made?
AKA cooked wine. It is made from the grape must of white grapes (pecorino, passerine, pagadebito caccio, maceratina, gaglioppa). The must is boiled in a copper pot till it is reduced by a third. This is then put into oak barrels where after fermentation, it is aged. Each subsequent harvest is used to fill the barrel back up. Has no alcohol content.Originally, a typical product of the Marche region, it is also made in Abruzzo and Calabria.
Who makes Flaccionello della Pieve? What’s the appellation and the cepage? What was the first vintage?
Fontodi; Colli Toscana Centrale IGT; 100% Sangiovese; 1981
Who makes Vigna del Sorbo? What’s the appellation/cepage?
Fontodi; Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG; 10% Cab/90% Sangiovese
Who makes Fontalloro? What’s the cepage/where’s it from?
Felsina; IGT Toscana (from Chianti Classico & Colli Senesi); 100% Sangiovese
Who makes Maestro Raro? What is the appellation/cepage?
Felsina; IGT Toscana; 100% Cab
Who makes Pian del Ciampolo? What’s the cepage?
Montevertine; Sangiovese/Canaiolo/Colorino