Lazio - Grape Varieties

Question 1

What percentage the white wine account for Lazio’s total area under vine?

Answer 1

70%

Question 2

What is the most widely planted red wine in Lazio?

Answer 2

Merlot

Question 3

What are the top three most widely planted grape varieties in Lazio?

Answer 3

1. Malvasia Bianca di Candia
2. Trebbiano Giallo (Jancis Robinson says: “probably used more for vinegar than wine”)
3. Trebbiano Toscano (Jancis Robinson says “the basic crisp mouthwash of the Tuscan Hills”)

Question 4

What red grape variety though not extensively planted is considered to be the most significant and promising native red grape variety in Lazio?

Answer 4

Cesanese

Question 5

This white grape variety is Lazio’s most widely planted grape and Lazio boasts the largest number of plantings in Italy.

It is a part of the large Malvasia group and the most widely planted Malvasia in all of Italy.

Answer 5

Malvasia Bianca di Candia (!)

Question 6

What is aromatic characteristic of Malvasia Bianca di Candia, the most widely planted grape variety in Lazio?

Answer 6

The wines are farily neutral with a modest aromatic profile/

Question 7

This Trebbiano grape variety is traditional to the Castelli Romani wine area.

Its popularity stems from its high yields but also contributes body to blends.

Answer 7

Trebbiano Giallo

Question 8

This well known white grape variety is known locally as Procanico and a significant component of many of Lazio’s white blends.

The grape is vigorous and highly productive resulting in light and crisp wines as it has high acidity.

Answer 8

Trebbiano Toscano

Question 9

This grape variety is considered a distinctive grape within the large Malvasia grape. The variety is considered native to Lazio and the Castelli Romani area is its stronghold.

Answer 9

Malvasia del Lazio (Malvasia Puninata (dotted) (!)

Question 10

What grape name does Malvasia del Lazio(!) known locally and why?

Answer 10

Malvasia Puntinata (“dotted”)

Because of the dark specks that appear on the skins of the berries as they ripen.

Question 11

What cross the Malvasia del Lazio has been shown of (by DNA study)?

Answer 11

Muscat of Alexandria (Zibibbo) and Schiava Grossa

Question 12

Is Malvasia del Lazio prone to Botrytis?

Answer 12

Yes

When affected by noble rot, it produces rich and luscious sweet wines.

Question 13

This grape variety is considered to be Lazio’s most distinctive red grape.

Answer 13

Cesanese (!)

Question 14

What are two types of Cesanese, each connsidered to be a distinct variety.

Answer 14

• Cesanese Comune
• Cesanese d’Affile

Question 15

Out of two types of Cesanese grapes, which one is gaining ground as it is considered the better of two while the other was historically more widely planted.

Answer 15

Cesanese d’Affile is considered the better than Cesanese Comune.

Question 16

Mostly what are two styles of Cesanese wines produced today?

Answer 16

Dry and still

Question 17

This red grape variety is believed to be native to Toscana. It is related to Moscato Bianco (Muscat a Petits Grains Blanc) and possesses the typical aromatic character of its kin.

In Lazio, the grape is traditional to the area around Lake Bolsena.

Answer 17

Aleatico

It is mainly used to produce fragrant and distinctive sweet red passito.

Question 18

True or False

Most of Lazio’s vineyards are vertically trellised and trained in Cordone Speronato and Guyot.

Answer 18

True