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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Italy: Southern, Sicily, Sardegna > Flashcards

Italy: Southern, Sicily, Sardegna Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

Who first manufactured Marsala?

A

English Port and Sherry merchant, John Woodhouse in 1773

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2
Q

Marsala updates 1984

A

The updated regulations limited the sourcing of grapes to the province of Trapani and restricted the use of mosto cotto (cooked must) and the addition of such flavorings as spices, fruit, and eggs.

The regulations also added the use of Damaschino, another high-yielding and low-alcohol white grape variety, and reinstated a version made with red grapes.

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3
Q

What is mosto cotto? Where is it allowed?

A

Cooked must- may be added in Marsala production to affect color and sweetness

The addition of cooked must is called concia

Only allowed for the lower quality ambra style.

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4
Q

What is sifone?

A

A mistele of unfermented must of overripe grapes + brandy, that may be added in Marsala production fo affect color and sweetness

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5
Q

Marsala DOC

A

province of Trapani, Sicily

Ambra
Oro (golden)
Rubino

ambra and oro: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia (Ansonica), and Damaschino

rubino: Perricone, Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), and Nerello Mascalese

Fine: min 17.5% abv after fortification
Superiore, Vergine, Solera, and Riserva styles: 18% (after fortification)

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6
Q

Marsala grapes

A

ambra and oro: Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia (Ansonica), and Damaschino

rubino: Perricone, Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), and Nerello Mascalese

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7
Q

What are the levels of Marsala aging?

A

all Marsala must age in barrels of oak or cherry wood- 4 less months than total aging

1 year for Fine
2 years for Superiore
4 years for Superiore Riserva
5 years for Vergine
minimum 10 years for Vergine Stravecchio

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8
Q

Marsala ‘other’ labeling terms

A

Italy Particular (IP),
Superior Old Marsala (SOM),
London Particular (LP), and
Garibaldi Dolce (GD)

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9
Q

Marsala Vergine

A

“virgin” - A wine that has no additions other than grape spirit can be labeled Vergine; these must also be aged for a minimum of five years. If a Vergine is labeled Riserva or Stravecchio, at least 10 years of aging is required.

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10
Q

Marsala Perpetuum

A

Solera must be aged for a minimum of five years and does not carry a vintage date. If labeled Riserva or Stravecchio, at least 10 years of aging is required.

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11
Q

What is unique about the Marsala Vecchio Samperi?

A

Marco de Bartoli releases it as Vino, because it is unfortified, but it is aged for at least 5 years

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12
Q

What are the sweetness levels for Marsala?

A

secco indicates a maximum 40 g/L RS

semisecco indicates 40 to 100 g/l RS

dolce indicates a minimum 100 g/l RS

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13
Q

What separates Sicily from Calabria? What sea is to the north of Sicily?

A

The Strait of Messina
Tyrhhenian Sea

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14
Q

Sicily important white grapes

A

Catarratto*
Inzolia
Grecanico
Carricante
Grillo
Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)
Malvasia

*most planted on island

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15
Q

Sicily important red grapes

A

Nero d’Avola (also called Calabrese)
Frappato
Perricone
Nerello Mascalese
Nerello Capuccio

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16
Q

What are the mountains on Sicily?

A

Sicilian Appennines
Hyblaen Mountains
Sicani Mountains

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17
Q

On which sides of Mount Etna are vineyards planted?

A

North, East and South.

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18
Q

What is the most planted grape on sicily? Which DOCs is it used in?

A

Catarratto
Alcamo Bianco DOC
Marsala DOC - in blends

lots of use for grape concentrate and distillation

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19
Q

Etna DOC
grapes
styles
aging

A

blanco min 60% Carricante
blanco superiore: min 80% Carricante

rosso min 80% Nerello Mascalese

Spumante (rosato or bianco)
minimum 80% Nerello Mascalese
maximum 20% other grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia

Rosso Riserva: wines must undergo a minimum 4 years aging from November 1 of the harvest year including 12 months in wood.

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20
Q

Nerello Mascalese focused DOCs Sicily

A

Etna DOC
Faro DOC - on the Northern Coast

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21
Q

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG -
grapes
rivers

A

red only
50-70% Nero d’Avola (Calabrese)
30-50% Frappato

Classico Villages: Vittoria, Comiso, Acate, Chiaromonte Gulfi, Santa Croce Camerina, and portions of Niscemi, Gela, Caltagirone, and Licodia Eubea

in the plain between the Dirillo and Ippari Rivers

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22
Q

Sicily DOCG

A

Cerasuolo di Vittoria
red only
50-70% Nero d’Avola (Calabrese)
30-50% Frappato

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23
Q

Sicily Dessert wine appellations

A

Marsala DOC

SE Sicily
Moscato di Noto
Moscato di Siracusa

Island off Northern Coast
Malvasia delle Lipari

Island off SW Coast
Moscato di Pantellaria

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24
Q

Pantellaria DOC

A

lots of grapes/styles, but the sweet Moscato di Pantelleria and Passito di Pantelleria are most well known. Moscato is lighter, fresher, less sweet

dried grapes are added to the must of fresh grapes (similar to Tokaj). Grapes are dried either outdoors in the sun in a walled area called a stenditoio, or in drying tunnels called serre, which intensify the heat and accelerate the pace of drying.

3 classes of grapes used:
- fresh harvested grapes
- passolata: grapes are semidried, with about 25%–40% of their juice as sugar
- passa Malaga grapes: fully dried raisins, reduced to only one-quarter of their original weight, with 55% of their syrup becoming sugar

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25
Q

Sardegna important grapes?

A

white: Vermentino

red: Cannonau (garnacha), Carignano

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26
Q

Why are spanish grapes dominant on Sardinia?

A

the Spanish kingdom of Aragon dominated until the early 1700s, for nearly 400 years

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27
Q

What is Sardinia’s sole DOCG? grapes and styles?

A

Vermentino di Gallura DOCG

white wine only, min 95% Vermentino

northern Sardinia

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28
Q

Nuragus di Cagliari DOC- where is this? grapes?

A

Southern Sardinia

white and Frizzante wines from majority Nuragus
tart appley wines

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29
Q

Cannonau di Sardegna DOC - where is it? grapes?

A

Covers entire island of Sardinia, wines from majority Cannonau (grenache)

Communes of Production per subzone:
Classico: Provinces of Nuoro and Ogliastra
Oliena: Oliena, Orgosolo, Dorgali,
Capo Ferrato: Castiadas, Muravera, San Vito, Villaputzu, Villasimius
Jerzu: Jerzu, Cardedu

**Styles: **
Rosso
Rosato
Rosso Riserva
Passito
Liquoroso
Classico

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30
Q

Campania important DOC and DOCG

A

white: Greco di Tufo DOCG, Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Fallanghina del Sannio (DOC)

reds: Taurasi DOCG, Aglianico del Taburno DOCG

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31
Q

Puglia important grapes

A

Primitivo
Negroamaro
Nero de Troia

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32
Q

Basilicata important DOC/DOCG? soils?

A

Aglianico del Vulture DOC
Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG

Volcanic- on slopes of Mount Vulture

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33
Q

Calabria red and white grapes? dOC for each?

A

red: gaglioppo- Ciro DOC, Melissa DOC

white: Greco- Melissa DOC, Greco di Bianco DOC, Ciro DOC

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34
Q

Aglianico del Vulture DOC
Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?

A

Basilicata
both 100% Aglianico

DOC is rosso + rosso spumante, reds may be released sept 1 year after harvest

DOCG rosso only, longer aging requirements

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35
Q

Aglianico del Vulture Superiore
abv
aging
climate
elevation

A

Vulture biotype. key towns: Barile, Venosa, and Maschito. cooler than Taurasi- the volcano Vulture blocks warm winds from north Africa, and it gets cool breezes off the Adriatic

min 13.5% abv

Superiore: 12 m barrel, 12 m bottle, not to be released before November 1 of the third year following the harvest

Riserva: 2 yr barrel and 12 m bottle, not to be released before November 1 of the fifth year following the harvest

vineyards must be planted from 200-700 m elevation

(Basilicata)

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36
Q

Describe the geography and climate of Basilicata

A

The mountainous terrain and harsh weather. Lots of sunshine throughout the growing season and cool temperatures around harvest.

Cool Balkan breezes, travelling across the Adriatic and Puglia, help moderate the temperatures. In addition, the Apennines create a barrier to the mild currents from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west.

37
Q

List 3 producers of Aglianico from Basilicata

A

Musto Carmelitano
Grifalco
Elena Fucci

38
Q

What separates Calabria and Sicily?

A

The Straight of Messina

39
Q

What are the 3 main peaks in Basilicata?

A

Monte Pollino at 2238m (7375ft),
Monte Sirino at 2005m (6578ft)
Monte Vulture at 1326m (4350ft) - extinct volcano

40
Q

Ciro DOC - where is it? Grapes?

A

Calabria. White, Rose, Red

whites: Greco based

reds: gaglioppo based

41
Q

Melissa DOC- where is it? Grapes?

A

Calabria. White, Red

whites: Greco based

reds: gaglioppo based

42
Q

Greco di Bianco DOC? Where is it? Style and grapes?

A

Calabria

passito white wine from min 95% Greco Bianco. min 17% abv (14% acquired)

43
Q

Name a producer from Calabria

A

Ceratti, Librandi, Odoardi, San Francesco, Santa Venere

44
Q

Most Puglia wines are labelled with which two IGTs?

A

IGT Puglia
IGT Salento (peninsula that is the heel of Italy)

45
Q

What are the main soil types in Calabria?

A

Clay, sand, marl

46
Q

What are the main soil types in Puglia?

A

Sand, limestone, red volcanic

47
Q

Name a producer from Puglia

A

Tormaresca (Antinori)
Gianfranco Fino
Matane

48
Q

What is the most planted red grape in Puglia? in which DOCs does it feature?

A

Negroamaro

Salice Salentino DOC
Brindisi DOC
Copertino DOC
Squinzano DOC

49
Q

DOC/G for Primitivo in Puglia?

A

Primitivo di Manduria DOC- min 85%, may no longer be fully sweet

Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale - 100% Primitivo, min 50 g/l rs, grapes may be dried

Gioia del Colle DOC - varietal Primitivo and blends

the grape does best in the central part of Puglia

50
Q

Important red grapes of Puglia?

A

Negroamaro*(southern)
Nero (Uva) di Troia (northern)
Primitivo (central)
Malvasia Nero
Bambino Nero (northern)

51
Q

trulli

A

historic buildings in Puglia - cone-shaped dwellings made of limestone, were present by the 14th or 15th century CE

52
Q

Puglia Geography

A

Adriatic sea to east
Ionian sea to south

largely warm, flat, and fertile, Puglia has some cooler, higher-elevation areas, such as the Daunian mountains in the north.

Valleys are formed by rivers that rise in the Apennines and empty into the Adriatic Sea.

The Fortore River forms the border between Molise and Puglia in the north, and the Ofanto River borders the Murge plateau in central Puglia.

53
Q

Castel del Monte

A

area of Puglia, named for the castle- it sits on a hill of the Alta Murgia, the highest part of the Murge plateau, in north-central Puglia, south of the Ofanto River.

main grape: Uva de Troia (Nero de Troia):
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG min 65%
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG min 90%

Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG- rose only from min 90% Bombino

Castel del Monte DOC- lots of grapes and styles

54
Q

Where is Amaro Lucano made?

A

Basilicata

55
Q

Where is Amaro dell’Abate made?

A

Calabria

56
Q

Where is Vecchio Amaro dell Capo made?

A

Calabria

57
Q

What is the capital of Campania?

A

Naples - Amalfi Coast is here. Salento is also here

58
Q

List 3 producers of Taurasi

A

Mastroberardino, Terredora and Feudi di San Gregorio, Salvatore Molettieri

59
Q

Taurasi DOCG
% grape
abv
aging
soil
vine training

A

Campania, in province of Avellino, an area known as Irpinia. biotype is Aglianico Taurasi

min 85% Aglianico
Taurasi: 12%
Riserva: 12.5%

Taurasi: Minimum 3 years from December 1 of the harvest year, including at least one year in wood
Riserva: Minimum 4 years from December 1 of the harvest year, including at least 18 months in wood

volcanic soils kept off pylloxera until 1930s, and there are still some 200+ yr old vines- possibly oldest in Italy

Cordon spur and Guyot training are common, although the old methods, such as alberata training of vines to live trees, are still used as well.

60
Q

Taurasi geography

A

hilly terrain

bisected by the Calore River,

wide diurnal temperature variations, warm summers, and cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Most vines are planted between 300 and 600 meters (980 and 1,970 feet) above sea level, although some are at nearly 800 meters (2,620 feet) in elevation.

volcanic and clay soils

61
Q

alberata

A

training of vines to live trees (Campania)

62
Q

Falerno del Massico - where is it? Grapes and styles allowed?

A

Campania

whites: greco based
reds: min 60% aglianico, with piedirosso
+ varietal primitivo

63
Q

Greco di Tufo DOCG- grapes and styles?

A

min 85% greco
max 15% coda di volpe

bianco and bianco spumante

Campania

64
Q

What is coda di volpe?

A

italian white grape, grown in Campania. “tail of the fox,” named for it’s long, pendulous bunches of grapes, which resemble a fox’s bushy tail

65
Q

Which DOC may label Lacryma Christi? Where is this from?

A

Vesuvio DOC, in Campania. Grapes on slopes of Mt. Vesuvius

White Lacryma Christi is made mainly from Verdeca and Coda di Volpe, with smaller proportions of Falanghina, Caprettone and Greco di Tufo included. Red Lacryma Christi is made from Piedirosso and Aglianico.

66
Q

Carricante

A

derives its name from caricare, “to load”—as in loading up a cart or donkey with a large volume of grapes

high acid, low alcohol, can have TDN aromas. often harvested later to soften acidity, and malo used as well

67
Q

Cataratto

A

named for the cataracts (waterfalls) of wine it produces- very productive grape, grown on Sicily. used in both Marsala and Etna Bianco

two main biotypes: Catarratto Bianco Comune has higher sugar and lower acidity, and Catarratto Bianco Lucido has more-compact bunches and can be more refined.

68
Q

Falanghina

A

two main biotypes, usually co-planted in vineyards:

Falanghina Beneventana, which has more structure, alcohol, and floral character; and Falanghina Flegrea, which has fruitier flavors of peach, yellow apple, cherry pit, and apricot.

naturally high acidity

69
Q

Fiano

A

Fiano was nearly extinct in the 1940s when it was revived by the work of the Mastroberardino estate.

Fiano is late ripening and low yielding, and its thick skins can withstand rot and moisture in the cooler and rainier parts of Campania.

70
Q

Grillo

A

Catarratto Bianco Lucido x Zibibbo

two main biotypes: Grillo Vecchio and Grillo Nuovo

71
Q

Nerello Mascalese

A

Sangiovese x Mantonico Bianco

very vigorous- alberello (bush training) can help limit this

72
Q

Alberello

A

bush trained vines
Sicily

73
Q

Nero d’Avola

A

aka Calabrese

buds early, late ripening, very well suited to heat- retains acidity well.

lots of color

74
Q

Frappato

A

VERY late ripening, does best on high elevation sites of Etna

prone to reduction- requires oxygen to be introduced

75
Q

Primitivo synonyms

A

Zinfandel
Crljenak Kaštelanski - Croatia
Tribidrag - Croatia

76
Q

dolia

A

large terra-cotta jars for fermentation

77
Q

Aglianicco del Taburno DOCG
grape %
soil
abv
aging

A

Campania, on eastern side of Mt. Taburno. limestone soils, cooler than Taurasi. biotype is Aglianico Amaro- named for it’s high acid

min 85% Aglianico

Rosato and Rosso: 12%
Rosso Riserva: 13%

Aging Requirements:
Rosato: May not be released prior to March 1 of the year following the harvest
Rosso: Min 2 years from November 1 of the harvest year
Rosso Riserva: Min. 3 years from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 1 year in wood and 6 months in bottle

78
Q

Fiano di Avellino DOCG
grape %
soil
elevation
rivers

A

Avellino was historically known as Irpinia. Sabato and Calore River valleys and the foothills of Mount Partenio, in the Apennines. 300-650 m elevation

min 85% Fiano, with Coda di Volpe, Greco, and/or Trebbiano Toscano

soils: calcareous clay, some volcanic

notable crus: Lapio and Candida in the east, Montefredane in the north, and Summonte in the northwest

79
Q

Greco di Tufo DOCG
% grape
style
communes
soils
river

A

in Campania, in the Avellino province. Covers 8 communes on the Sabato river. highly regarded communes: Santa Paolina and Montefusco

still and sparkling wines made with a minimum of 85% Greco and the remainder Coda di Volpe

soils: volcanic with alluvial deposits

80
Q

Vesuvio DOC

A

in Campania

white: min 45% Coda di Volpe and/or Caprettone and may also include Falanghina, Greco, and others

red and rosato: min 50% Piedirosso; can also include Aglianico, Olivella, Sciascinoso, and others.

The white, red, rosato, and spumante wines may be labeled Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio if they have a higher minimum 12% ABV.

81
Q

Palmenti

A

Prior to the 20th century, stone fermentation buildings called palmenti were often housed in Sicily’s large farm complexes.

82
Q

allophane

A

a clay mineral derived from volcanic cinders, which has cation-exchange properties that are essential for plant growth and help rocks break down more quickly into fertile soil. These clays also store water that vines can access during summer droughts.

83
Q

Eloro DOC

A

red blends and varietal wines made of Nero d’Avola, Frappato, and Pignatello (Perricone).

Its official subzone, Pachino, is considered a grand cru for Nero d’Avola, and red wines labeled Eloro Pachino require a minimum of 80% Nero d’Avola

notable contrade: Baroni, Bufaleffi, Maccari, and San Lorenzo

84
Q

List the DOC of Molise

A

Biferno DOC
Molise DOC
Pentro di Isernia DOC
Tintilia del Molise DOC

85
Q

Signature grape of Molise

A

Tintillia del Molise

tinto (dyed) - named for its deep color

most wine is table wine- only around 7% of production is DOC level

86
Q

Biferno DOC
grapes / styles

A

Molise

blanco: 70-80% Trebbiano Toscano

rosso: 70-80% Montepulciano, 10-20% Aglianico

87
Q

Tintilia del Molise DOC

A

rosso and rosato from min 95% Tintilia

min elevation 200 m

88
Q

Producers Molise

A

Claudio Cipressi
Di Majo Norante

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (58 decks)

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