Italy - General

Question 1

What climate dominates Northern Italy?

Answer 1

Continental – cold winters, warm summers.

Question 2

What is the climate of Central Italy like?

Answer 2

Mediterranean – warm, dry summers.

Question 3

Describe the climate of Southern Italy and its islands.

Answer 3

Hot, sun-drenched, Mediterranean.

Question 4

What mountain range acts as a climate barrier in Northern Italy?

Answer 4

The Alps.

Question 5

What mountain range runs down Italy’s spine, influencing elevation?

Answer 5

The Apennines.

Question 6

What does IGT stand for and signify?

Answer 6

Indicazione Geografica Tipica – regional wines with more freedom.

Question 7

What is DOC?

Answer 7

Denominazione di Origine Controllata – regulated for grapes, yields, aging.

Question 8

What distinguishes DOCG from DOC?

Answer 8

Stricter regulations and a government guarantee seal.

Question 9

Name three northern wine regions of Italy.

Answer 9

Piedmont, Veneto, Lombardy.

Question 10

Name three central Italian wine regions.

Answer 10

Tuscany, Umbria, Marche.

Question 11

Name three southern or island regions.

Answer 11

Sicily, Puglia, Campania.

Question 12

What is the primary grape in Barolo and Barbaresco?

Answer 12

Nebbiolo.

Question 13

Which grape is used in Chianti and Brunello?

Answer 13

Sangiovese.

Question 14

What grape is used in Amarone and Ripasso?

Answer 14

Corvina (often with Rondinella, Molinara).

Question 15

What grape is used in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo?

Answer 15

Montepulciano.

Question 16

What white grape dominates Soave?

Answer 16

Garganega.

Question 17

What grape is used in Franciacorta?

Answer 17

Chardonnay, Pinot Nero (traditional method).

Question 18

What are the main grapes of Prosecco?

Answer 18

Glera.

Question 19

What grape is used in Nero d’Avola wines?

Answer 19

Nero d’Avola.

Question 20

What grape is used in Etna Rosso?

Answer 20

Nerello Mascalese.

Question 21

What grape is used for Primitivo wines?

Answer 21

Primitivo (Zinfandel).

Question 22

What colour grape is Negroamaro, and where is it grown?

Answer 22

A red grape from Puglia.

Question 23

What grape is used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?

Answer 23

Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile clone).

Question 24

What is Cannonau, and where is it grown?

Answer 24

Sardinian Grenache.

Question 25

What grapes are used in Orvieto?

Answer 25

Grechetto and Trebbiano.

Question 26

What is Recioto?

Answer 26

Sweet wine from dried grapes (e.g., Recioto della Valpolicella).

Question 27

What is Amarone?

Answer 27

Dry wine from dried grapes – rich and full-bodied.

Question 28

What is Ripasso?

Answer 28

Wine re-fermented on Amarone lees for body and complexity.

Question 29

What is Vin Santo?

Answer 29

Oxidative dessert wine from Trebbiano and Malvasia.

Question 30

What does “Classico” indicate?

Answer 30

Traditional heartland of a DOC/DOCG zone.

Question 31

What does “Superiore” mean on an Italian label?

Answer 31

Higher alcohol and/or longer aging.

Question 32

What does “Riserva” indicate?

Answer 32

Wine aged longer than standard (varies by DOC/G).

Question 33

What does “Secco” mean?

Answer 33

Dry.

Question 34

What does “Dolce” mean?

Answer 34

Sweet.

Question 35

What’s the difference between Spumante and Frizzante?

Answer 35

Spumante = fully sparkling; Frizzante = lightly sparkling.

Question 36

What grape is used in Prosecco?

Answer 36

Glera.

Question 37

What method is used for Prosecco production?

Answer 37

Tank Method (Charmat).

Question 38

What are the quality levels of Prosecco?

Answer 38

DOC, DOC Treviso, DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Cartizze.

Question 39

What is Cartizze?

Answer 39

Top vineyard site in the DOCG zone for Prosecco.

Question 40

What is a key advantage of the tank method for Prosecco?

Answer 40

Preserves fruity, floral aromatics without yeastiness.