Italy-South Flashcards
Where is Campania located?
-In between Lazio and Basilicata
-On mediterranean sea
-Appenines as Northern/Eastern border
How many ha are planted in Campania? What about its DOC(G)s?
-quite large area under vine: 20.000 ha
-only 20% doc(g) & 10 IGT, others are table wine
What is the climate of Campania? and Topography?
-warm mediterranean = perfect for late ripening varieties
-threat: autumn rain and spring frosts on valley floors
-hills up to 600 metres providing cooling influence, good to prolong growing season
What are the 3 main soil types of Campania? Explain
-limestone&clay, good balance between water retention and drainage = Fiano Di Avellino DOCG, Taurasi and Greco di Tufo
- Volcanic soils (phylloxera free)= Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC = fast draining, good for falanghina and piedirosso
-Alluvial = Large area between Naples and Beneventano
What are the features of Aglianico?
-early budding&late ripening = needs long growing season to build up tannic structure, otherwise astringent
-vigorous = yield control
-prone to botrytis
-vsp to allow mechanisation
What style does it produce?
-pronounced intensity: red plum, blackberry, dried fruits (with age), bramble
-high tannins and acidity -> soften with age
What are the 2 main DOCGs for Aglianico?
-Taurasi DOCG
-Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
What is the location and topography of Taurasi DOCG?
-inland, North of Avellino, West in foothills of Appenines
-200-600 metres = longer growing season resulting in more pronounced intensity
What are the requirements of Taurasi DOCG regarding grape variety and oak ageing?
-min. 85% aglianico, often 100%
-max. yields 70 hl/ha
-min of 36 months (3 years) ageing of which 12 months in oak
-riserva: 4 years of ageing with 18 months in oak
-very good to outstanding in quality
Which soil is common in Taurasi?
-clay and limestone
When is Taurasi picked and what about maceration?
-late: oct or nov to fully ripen skins and pips
-long maceration of 20+ days in french oak barriques
Where is Aglianico del Taburno DOCG located? and its topography?
-Between eastern foothills and limestone Massif near beneventano
-hills from 200-400 metres up north
Is there a climatical difference in Taburno, if so explain
-Yes, up north 200-400 metres
-south: cooler, higher elevations, more structured wines
What are the soils of Aglianico del Taburno DOCG? and requirements?
-clay and limestone, some volcanic
-min 85% aglianico and 2 years of ageing
What are the features of Greco?
-tolerant of heat&drought
-prone to rot&mildews
- low in vigour& yields -> now popular, in the past not because high yielding was preferred
-harvested in october -> long growing season
-less grown than falanghina but more than Fiano
What style can Greco produce?
-deep lemon in colour
-high alcohol, oily texture
-floral, stonefruit, blossom, unoaked
-very good to outstanding
What is the altitude and location of Greco di Tufo DOCG?
-200-600 metres = cooling = longer growing season
-close to Taurasi, North of Avellino
What is the soil type of Greco di Tufo DOCG?
-Limestone&clay
What are the requirements of Greco di Tufo?
-min 85% greco, max 15% coda di volpe
-max 70 hl/ha
What are the characteristics of Fiano?
-1/3 of falanghina’s plantings
-sensitive to mildew
-thick skin = resistant to botrytis
-late ripening mid to late october
What is the style of Fiano?
-med(-) intensity: floral, peach, hazelnut, minerality
-med+ acidity and body with waxy texture
-very good to outstanding, mid-premium priced
-can age better than greco, often in ss sometimes in oak
On what soil types does Fiano Grow?
-diversity
-sandy= lighter and fruitier expressions
-clay= heavier expressions
What is the topography and soils of Fiano di Avellino DOCG?
-grown at 300-600 metres -> high
-calcareous clay, sand and volcanic
What are the requirements of Fiano di Avellino DOCG?
-max. 70 hl/ha
-min. 85% fiano and 15% coda di volpe, greco or Trebbiano Toscana
What are the characteristics of Falanghina ?
-Most grown white variety
-good resistance to disease
-fruit can shrivel at end thus good selection of harvest dates important
What style can Falanghina produce?
-med intensity: apple, white peach, herbaceous:dried herbs
-med+- high acidity, floral
-unoaked
-acceptable-very good
In which 2 main DOC’s is it grown?
-Falanghina de Sannio DOC
-Campi Flegrei DOC
What are the requirements of Falanghina de Sannio DOC?
-large area = 1218 ha
-min. 85% falanghina
- min. 84 hl/ha = high yields
Where is Campi Flegrei DOC located? What are the 2 main varieties?
-Campania near Coast
-Falanghina and Piedirosso
What are the max yields of campi Flegrei, what makes the wines distinct from other appellations within Campania?
= 84 hl/ha
-near coast = windier = wines with lower alcohol
-min 90% falanghina
What is the main soil type of Campi Flegrei DOC?
-Volcanic which is fast draining
-said that it brings minerality to the wine
What is the 2nd black grape variety planted in Campania?
-Piedirosso
What are the characteristics of Piedirosso?
-adapted to heat and drought
-open bunches with thick skin, resistant to botrytis
-low density
-old vines on volcanic soils
-harvest late but still lower in alcohol (12-13% abv)
What is a special feature of Piedirosso?
-although it is thick skinned it produces wines which are pale in colour due to low pigmentation
Describe the style of Piedirosso
-pale ruby
-high acidity, med tannins, red plum, raspberry, red cherry
-early drinking
-mid to premium priced
Why is Piedirosso often added to Aglianico?
-to soften the tannic structure
What are the 2 DOCs where Piedirosso can be found?
-Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC
-min 50% piedirosso but often 100%
What are the 2 DOCs where Piedirosso can be found?
-Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC
-min 50% piedirosso but often 100%
Where is Basilicata located? What wines does it produce?
-Between Campania and Puglia
-simple wines or IGT for domestic market
Which grape variety is mostly planted in Basilicata?
Aglianico (1/3 of plantings)
What is the famous DOC of Basilicata? why?
-Aglianico del Vulture DOC
- location: to the east of Monte Vulture, an inactive volcano
What type of wines can Aglianico del Vulture DOC produce?
-high quality, structured red wine
What are the soil types of Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
-Clay, limestone and Vulcanic soils
-volcanic layers: good drainage
-clay&limestone: hold water =
enough access to water, despite of low rainfall (550 mm)
What is the climate of Basilicata? what influences this climate?
-Mediterranean
-cooling influences from altitude (up to 600 metres)
-breezes from balkans: cooling
= retain acidity, extend growing season = highly aromatic wines
What are the requirements of Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
-100% aglianico
-max 70 hl/ha
-1 year of ageing
-often french oak barriques ageing instead (proportion new) instead of large bottis
What is the style of Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
-Powerful
-red plum and blackberry
-full body, high acidity, alcohol and tannins
-capable of ageing
-very good to outstanding, mid to premium priced
What is a DOCG in Basilicata? describe the features
-Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG
-max 52 hl/ha
- 3 years of ageing of which 1 in oak
-riserva: 5 years of ageing of which 1 in oak
Where is Puglia located? How many ha?
-southern eastern part
-Heel of Italy’s boot
-80.000 ha of which only 10% docg and 35% igt
Where is rosé production the biggest in Italy?
-Puglia. often made of negroamaro
What happened historically with grapes from Puglia?
-Brought to cooler areas in Italy to blend for addition of alcohol and body
What is the climate of Puglia? Influenced by what?
-hot mediterranean
-moderating breezes from sea = low disease pressure and production of high volume of healthy grapes
What are the soil types of Puglia?
-fertile soils, irrigation permitted
-terra rossa = high in iron oxide, well draining, low capacity of holding water = hydric water stress and irrigation neccessary
-also alluvial soils
What is the topography?
-least mountaneous of Italy
-large plains with some low hills
What are the key features of primitivo?
-early ripening, thus avoids autumn rains
-very productive
-prone to drought, issues with poor flowering and fruit set
-uneven ripening, needs monitoring
-accumulates sugars quickly = high alc, needs careful selection dates
Describe the style of primitivo
-often as a single variety
-inexpensive = short maceration of 7-10 days
-premium= longer maceration and french oak
-pronounced intensity: ripe, jammy fruit, med acidity & tannins (soft), up to high alcohol
-acceptable to good
What are the 2 main DOCs for primitivo?
-Primitivo di Manduria DOC
-Gioia Del Colle DOC
What is the topography and soil type of Primitivo di Manduria DOC?
-Terra rossa, oldest DOC for primitivo
-flat and gentle slopes
What are the requirements for primitivo di Manduria?
- min 85% primitivo
-max. 63 hl/ha
-riserva: 30 months of which 9 in oak
-min 14% alc
What is the topography of Gioia del Colle DOC?
-200-450 metres altitude (high for puglia)
=cooler and higher diurnal range = more freshness&elegance in wine
What are the requirements of Gioia del Colle DOC?
-min 50-60% primitivo (100% if stated on label)
-blended with: montepulciano, sangiovese, negroamar0, up to 10% malvasia
-max 52 hl/ha -> lower than manduria
-riserva: aged 24 months, no oak requirements
-min 14% alc
What are the features of Negroamaro?
-high yielding
-good resistance to disease and drought
-can retain acidity well
-macerated for 7-10 days, aged in ss, sometimes oak
-mid to premium prices
What is the style of Negroamaro?
-darket style than primitivo
-dark plum, cherry, med-high alc, med acidity, med+ tannins
-used for rose production
Which DOC is famous for Negroamaro?
Salice Salentino Roso DOC
What are the requirements for Salice Salentino Rosso DOC?
-min 75% negroamaro (90% if stated on label)
-max high yields of 84 hl/ha
-riserva: aged for 24 months of which 6 in oak
What is another black grape variety in Puglia?
-Nero di Troia
Explain the features of Troia
-in decline
-late ripening (thus, needs longer season than primitivo and negroamaro)
-uneven ripening susceptible to autumn rain
-less easy to cultivate compared to other 2 varieties
What is the main style of Nero di Troia?
-med intensity
-red currant and cherry, black pepper, floral
-high, fine grained tannins (more structure than others) = ageing capacity, med+ acidity
What is the DOC for Nero di Troia?
-Castel del Monte DOC
What is the topography and the requirements of Castel del Monte DOC?
-180-450 m
-shallow stony soils with high clay content
-min 90% nero di troia, mac 91 hl/ha = high
-riserva is classified as DOGC = max 70 hl/ha, ages for 24 months of which 12 in oak
What is the climate of Sicily?
Warm mediterranean (etna more continental due to altitude)
low rainfall, irrigation neccessary
What can dehydrate vines in Sicily?
the serraco wind coming from the south west
-hot&dry, can interrupt ripening and reduce crops
What is the topography of Sicily?
Mostly hills and some mountains
-around etna: plantings from 400 up to 1000 metres
What are the main soils of Sicily? Describe them
-Volcanic around the etna and in Pantelleria = rich in minerals, good nutrients, no phylloxera ->ungrafted old vines can create somy, grippy tannins
-limestone/terra rossa = mineral tnnins and a fresh character
What are the 3 main grape varieties traditionally used for Marsala?
-catarratto
-Grillo
-Inzolia
What about Catarratto’s vigour and ripening?
-high yielding & vigorous
-good disease resistance
-mid-late ripening
What is the style of Catarratto?
-light intensity: lemon,apple,herbal,white flower,high acidity, med alcohol
-inexpensive acceptable-good
What are the features of Grillo?
high yielding, heat and disease resistant
-overexposure = reduce aroma’s
What about Grillo’s winemaking?
-prone to oxidation thus protective winemaking style
Describe Grillo’s style
-full body, medium intensity, floral notes together with high acidity which is quite special
-lemon,chamomile, med alcohol
When does Inzolia ripen?
-Early, needs to be picked early to retain acidity
-good drought resistance
What style does Inzolia produce?
-often blended with cataratto and grillo due to lesser acidity
-med- intensity, lemon,peach,floral, med acidity and body
-inexpensive to mid priced
What styles does Moscato produce in Sicily?
-Dry
-Late harvest
-passito
When does Moscato ripen? Where is it tolerant to?
-late ripening
-heat and drought resistant
-picked early to retain acidity
What is the style of Moscato?
-generally sweet
-apricot, honey, grapey, higher alcohol
-very good to outstanding
What is the DOC for Moscato? Where is it located?
-Pantelleria DOC
-small island to the west of Sicily, closer to the African shores than to sicily
Describe how Passito di Pantelleria is made and the style
-made with semi dried grapes = high level of residual sugars
- hand picked in august (whole bunches)
-laid out in sun then in an open air location to further dry
-2nd harvest = september which is vinified after picking
-air dried grapes added to the must
Describe how Moscato di Pantelleria is made
-later harvest, thus dreid on vine
-vinification is stopped to retain residual sugar for weet style
-less viscous than passito
Describe how dry Moscato in is made in Pantelleria?
-fermented in stainless steel
-released early to retain aromatic character
-some can be aged in amphora or concrete + skin contact
What is the most planted black grape variety of Sicily?
Nero d’Avola
velued for its full body and colourful wines
When does Nero d’avola ripen? where is it prone to?
-late, often trained near the ground to maximise heat
-vigorous and prone to uneven ripening
What style does Nero d’avola produces?
-med-deep in colour
-red cherry, black plum, can be jammy
-med+ to high ripe tanning
-med(+) acidity
-very good to outstanding when yields are restricted, often aged in small barrels
What is the main DOCG for Nero d’avola?
-Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
-only DOCG of the island
Where is Cerasuolo di Vittoria located? what about its topography?
-south of region near city of Vittoria
-flat coastal area and some elevation of hills = hot and arid
What are the soils of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
-sandy, terra rossa and calcareous clay soils
With what grape variety is nero d’avola often blended? on which soils does it thrive?
-frappato
-terra rossa, gives lighter, more aromatic fruits
-blended for elegance
What are the requirement of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?
-50-70% nero d’avola
-30-50% frappato
-max 52 hl/ha
-also international varieties allowed
What is the main grape variety for Etna Rosso DOC?
-Nerello Mascalese
When does Nerello Mascalese bud and ripen?
-early budding
-late ripening thus long growing season
Why is the area around the etna volcano useful for Nerello Mascalese?
-Needs a long growing season
-vineyards near etna located on 400-100 metres, gives cooling influences suitable for a longer growing season
Why is careful canopy important for Nerello Mascalese?
- it is prone to coulure,mildew and rot
-needs ripening and not too much shading otherwise herbaceous character
What are winemaking techniques commonly used for Nerello Mascalese?
-often short maceration for 10-15 days to avoid over extraction
-some producers choose for a long maceration because they believe it smoothens tannins
Describe the style of nerello Mascalese
-pale-med ruby in colour, sometimes garnet with age
-high intensity: red cherry, cranberry,violet,herbal,earthy,smoky
-can be drunk when young but also suitable for ageing
-sensitive to terroir
-high acidity and medium to high tannins, med alcohol
How many ha does the Etna DOC have? What about the climate?
-1100 ha
-high altitude = cool style = more continental and alpine climate
What about the soils in Etna DOC?
-often volcanic, phylloxera does not thrive here resulting in old, ungrafted bush vines
What are the requirements for Etna rosso DOC?
-min. 80% nerello mascalese max 20% cappuccio (also as a single variety but not in the doc)
-max. 56 hl/ha
-aged in 500-600 l barriques
-riserva: higher min. alcohol levels and 4 years of ageing of which 1 in oak
-very good to outstanding in quality
What is the main variety of Etna Bianco DOC?
Carricante
Where is Carricante prone to and which sites does it prefer?
-fungal diseases
-grows well on high altitudes (up to 1000 m) where black varieties fail to ripen
-high diurnal range near etna = high acidity
What are the requirements for Etna Bianco DOC?
-min 60% carricante
-can be blended with catarratto
-often single variety
What style does Carricante produces?
-medium intensity: lemon & green apple
-high acidity, med alc
-quality and price ranges same as etna rosso but volumes are much lower
What are winemaking techniques commonly used for Carricante?
-malolactic conversion to reduce acidity
-often aged in old oak for additional texture
Name the biggest DOC of Sicily and its requirement
-Sicilia DOC (former IGT)
-Large range of varieties, can also be blended with international varieties
-e.g. viognier/grillo
-max yields are high! white:91 hl/ha and red: 84 hl/ha resulting in low flavour intensity
Where is Sardinia located?
-An island of the coast of Tuscany
-South of Corsica
What are the common grape varieties of Sardinia?
-Cannonau (grenache noir)
-carignano (carignan)
-vermentino
What is the climate of Sardinia, influenced by what?
-Warm mediterranean
-cooling influences from altitude (most of Sardinia is hilly)
-vineyards open to winds from sea: affected by the dry winds but lower disease pressure
What about rainfall in Sardinia?
-Low rainfall during growing season
-Adequate in North west corner
-low in South East making irrigation neccessary
What is the most important DOC in Sardinia for Cannonau? what are the requirements?
-Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
-can be grown in any part of the island
-there is a stricted classico zone
-max yields: 77 hl/ha classico: 63 h/ha
-Riserva: 2 years of ageing of which 6 months in oak (for classico 12 months in oak)
-good to very good, inexpensive to mid priced
-dry&sweet fortified also sold locally
When does vermentino buds and ripens?
-early budding = prone to spring frosts
-mid ripening = less prone to autumnal rain
Which sites does Vermentino prefer?
-sunny exposed sites with poor soils
What are winemaking techniques commonly practised for vermentino?
-gentle pressing
-short skin maceration (up to 24 hours)
-fermentation at cool - mid range temperatures in ss to preserve primary aromas
- short period of ageing (3-4 months) in neutral containers on the fine lees
-some lees ageing for 6 months for a fuller body
Describe the style of vermentino
-medium intensity:lemon and acacia
-riper= tropical
-light-med body, medium alc and med(+) acidity
-good to very good and mid to premium priced
What are the 2 most common PDOs for vermentino? what are the requirements?
-Vermentino di Sardegna DOC= can be grown anywhere on the island, up to 112 hl/ha = low concentrated wines
-Vermentino di Gallura DOCG = only DOCG, north-east corner, max 63 hl/ha
Where does Carignano grows best?
-South west corner of Sardinia where it is warm
-late ripening and heat and drought resistant = fine with hot temperatures, low rainfall and warm winds
Which soils does Carignano prefer?
-Sandy soils which curb vigour
What is the main PDO for Carignano? what about it training system?
-Carignano del Sulcis DOC
-old bush vines, well suited to dry climate and help to curb vigour
-in superiore category, bush vines are obligatory
What are the requirements of Carignano del Sulcis?
-irrigation is permitted, but before veraison
- max 77 hl/ha -> low concentration
-superiore:52,5 hl/ha
-superiore&riserva = 2 years of ageing
What are some winemaking techniques commonly used for Carignano?
-inexpensive: fermented at warm temperatures, macerated on skins for 7-10 days and aged for 3-4 months in large neutral containers
-mid-premium priced: macerated on skins longer (15 days) at warm fermentation temp to extract colour, flavour and tannins + aged in french barriques for 12 to 18 months
-good to very good, inexpensive to premium priced
