Italy Overview

Question 1

Which 2 ancient civilizations produced wine in Italy before the Romans?

Answer 1

Etruscans

Greeks

Question 2

Approx how many registered grape varietals does Italy have?

250
800
1300

Answer 2

1300

Question 3

How many regions does Italy have?

Answer 3

20

Question 4

What are the countries that border Italy?

Answer 4

West: France

North: Switzerland, Austria

East: Slovenia

Question 5

What are the seas that surround Italy?

Answer 5

West: Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Seas

East: Adriatic Sea

South: Ionian Sea

Question 6

What mountain range runs along most of Italy’s northern border?

Answer 6

The Alps

Question 7

What is the mountain range that runs down the center of the Italian peninsula?

Answer 7

The Apennines

Question 8

What is the general climate of Italy?

Answer 8

North: cool continental

South: warm Mediterranean

Question 9

Approx how many registered vineyards does Italy have?

Answer 9

– 900,000

Question 10

In Italy, wines without geographic indication are labeled as ______.

Answer 10

Vino

Question 11

When Italian wines are just labeled as vino, what colors can the be?

Can they have the vintage on the label?

Answer 11

Vino can be

Rosso, Bianco, or rosato

can be labeled with or without the vintage

Question 12

Wines with a geographical indication are split into _____and ______.

Answer 12

IGP

DOP

Question 13

What does IGP stand for?

Answer 13

Indicazione Geografica Protetta

IGP designation includes IGT

both IGP/IGT are considered PGI by the EU and are interchangeable

IGP wines range from the most basic to some of the most sought after in Italy

Question 14

What 2 Italian wine classifications are within DOP?

Answer 14

DOC

DOCG

Question 15

On their wine labels, can Italians use either DOP or DOC/DOCG?

Answer 15

Yes

Question 16

In what year was the DOC system introduced in Italy?

Answer 16

1963

Question 17

Why was the DOC system launched in Italy?

Answer 17

To protect Italy’s wine appellations

To formalize the production area and methods for each wine

Question 18

What are Italy’s wine classifications from largest to smallest?

Answer 18

Vino

IGT

DOC

DOCG

Question 19

Italian labeling terms:

Classico

Answer 19

The original, smaller zone and the best part of an area.

ex: Chianti, Chianti Classico

Question 20

Italian Labeling Terms:

Riserva

Answer 20

Usually indicates
extended aging (cask and bottle )
usually denotes lower yields
usually denotes higher alcohol

Question 21

Italian Labeling Terms:

Superiore

Answer 21

Usually indicates:

higher alcohol
longer aging (depends on appellations)

Question 22

Italian Labeling Terms:

Spumante

Answer 22

Fully sparkling

Question 23

Italian Labeling Terms:

Frizzante

Answer 23

Gently sparkling

Question 24

Italian Labeling Terms:

Metodo Classico

Answer 24

Traditional Method used to make sparkling wine.

Same as Methode champenoise

Question 25

Italian Labeling Terms:

Secco

Answer 25

Dry

Question 26

Italian Labeling Terms:

Amabile

Answer 26

Off-dry

Question 27

Italian Labeling Terms:

Dolce

Answer 27

Sweet

Question 28

Italian Labeling Terms:

Recioto and Passito

Answer 28

Both indicate the wine was made from dried grapes.

These wines are almost always sweet.