Italy: Southern

Question 1

What four grapes is Campania most known for today?

Answer 1

Falanghina
Fiano
Greco
Aglianico

Question 2

Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Taurasi DOCGs all have the same soil type. What is it, and where does it predominate?

Answer 2

Limestone and clay, in the hills in Campania (good balance between drainage and water retention)

Question 3

Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio DOCs share a similar geography and soil type. What is it?

Answer 3

Volcanic area around Naples in Campania; volcanic and sandy soils

Question 4

Which DOC in Campania is home to wines labeled Lacryma

Christi?

Answer 4

Vesuvio DOC

Question 5

Where will you find Sannio DOC and Beneventano IGP?

Answer 5

Large area between Naples and Benevento on alluvial sediment soils in Campania

Question 6

As you go inland in Campania, how does the landscape change in terms of grape growing?

Answer 6

Land becomes hillier and with much higher elevation; vines are grown up to 600m; late ripening varieties can struggle to ripen

Question 7

How is Piedirosso used in Campania?

Answer 7

Must be 50% of Campi Flegrei and Vesuvio DOC wines; is usually 100%

Also used to help soften Aglianico-based wines

Question 8

What is Basilicata’s most important denomination?

Answer 8

Aglianico del Vulture DOC

Question 9

What factors help to extend the growing season for Aglianico del Vulture?

Answer 9

Higher elevation (600m)
Breezes from Balkans

Question 10

What factors make Puglia well suited for volume production?

Answer 10

Low rainfall (lessened threat of fungal diseases)
Fertile soils
Permitted irrigation
Flat lands for mechanized viticulture

Question 11

What two grapes are specialties in Puglia?

Answer 11

Primitivo

Negroamaro

Question 12

What is Puglia’s most important DOC for Negroamaro?

Answer 12

Salice Salentino

Question 13

Where will you find Castel del Monte DOC and what grape does it primarily use?

Answer 13

Puglia; Nero di Troia

Question 14

Less than ___% of wines from Puglia are classified as PDO and ___% are classified simply as ‘wine’.

Answer 14

10

60

Question 15

To help increase quality in Puglia, what company has invested there?

Answer 15

Antinori, at Tormaresca

Question 16

What are the three specialty white grapes in Sicily? What are they used for?

Answer 16

Catarratto
Grillo
Inzolia

Marsala but also blended (Chardonnay included) for dry white table wines

Question 17

What is the local Sicilian name for Muscat of Alexandria?

Answer 17

Zibibbo

Question 18

What is the most planted black variety in Sicily?

Answer 18

Nero d’Avola

Question 19

What is Sicily’s only DOCG, and what kind of wine does it make?

Answer 19

Cerasuolo di Vittoria; 50-70% Nero d’Avola, 30-50% Frappato

Question 20

What is the makeup of Etna Rosso DOC wines?

Answer 20

Min 80% Nerello Mascalese, with the remainder Nerello Cappuccio

Question 21

What kind of companies lead wine business in Sicily?

Answer 21

A small number of large, influential private companies—unusual for Italy

Question 22

How has Sicily’s wine business changed over the past few decades?

Answer 22

Used to be known only for inexpensive bulk production; now offers mid priced and super premium wines

Question 23

Describe Sardinia’s climate.

Answer 23

Warm Mediterranean with low rainfall; cooling influences from altitude from hills and warm, dry winds from the sea

Question 24

What is Sardinia’s only DOCG?

Answer 24

Vermentino di Gallura, in the northeast corner of Sardinia

Question 25

What are Sardinia’s most important red grapes, and why do they do well there?

Answer 25

Carignano, Cannonau

They can withstand heat and drought

Question 26

How are vines trained on Sardinia?

Answer 26

Both traditional Bush vine and VSP trellising

Question 27

How has Sardinian wine business changed over the last few decades?

Answer 27

Moved from being a bulk wine producer for blending, to higher quality wine production (2/3 production is now PDO)