Marche Flashcards

1
Q

Which other Italian wine regions border Marche?

A

Emilia Romagna to the north
Tuscany to the west
Abruzzo to the south

It extends from the Adriatic sea in the west to the Apennines

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2
Q

What red grapes dominate in Marche?

A

Montepulciano

Sangiovese

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3
Q

Is more red or white wine produced in Marche?

A

Red wine

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4
Q

What price points do most wines in Marche fall into (both red and white)?

A

Inexpensive to mid range

Some Riserva wines can attract premium prices

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5
Q

In the Marche, where is most land suitable for grape growing situated?

A

On low hills rising from the coast

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6
Q

What climate is the Marche?

A

Warm Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers

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7
Q

More inland, west of Ancona, how does the climate differ to the more coastal areas of Marche?

A

The climate is more continental with dry autumns

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8
Q

What soils dominate the Marche region?

A

Limestone and clay, which provide balance between being free draining and retaining sufficient water

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9
Q

Give the key characteristics of Verdicchio

A

White grape
Medium (-) intensity
White flower, lemon, apple, fennel, bitter finish
High acidity
Medium body
Main white variety in Castelli di Jesi DOC

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10
Q

Why is Verdicchio often planted at low densities?

A

It needs space to grow as the first buds are sterile

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11
Q

Is Verdicchio a late or early ripening varietal? What effects can this have?

A

Verdicchio is late ripening, but retains acidity well

As a late ripener, Verdicchio can be affected by autumn rains at harvest

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12
Q

What fungi is Verdicchio particularly susceptible to?

A

Mildew

Botrytis bunch rot

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13
Q

Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:

White grape
Medium (-) intensity
White flower, lemon, apple, fennel, bitter finish
High acidity
Medium body
Main white variety in Castelli di Jesi DOC

A

Verdicchio

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14
Q

Explain what decisions may be taken in the winery if producing an early drinking style of Verdicchio (3)

A

Avoid MLF
Avoid lees ageing
Hold for 4 to 6 months in stainless steel

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15
Q

Explain what decisions may be taken in the winery if producing Riserva Verdicchio wine

A

Some may undergo MLF for more texture

Age on lees in old oak barrels for additional texture

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16
Q

Where is Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC located?

Where are the vineyards, and in what soils?

A

In the low hills west of Ancona in the Marche regions

Vineyards are in the valley on clay and limestone soils

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17
Q

What is the maximum yield for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC?

A

98hl/ha

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18
Q

What is the maximum yield for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Classico Superiore DOC?

A

77hl/ha

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19
Q

What is the minimum ageing requirement for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOC wines?

A

18 months (can be in oak)

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20
Q

Where is Verdicchio di Matelica DOC located?

A

In the foothills of the Apennine mountains in Marche

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21
Q

Describe the climate in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC

What geographical feature influences the temperatures here?

A

Continental climate with hot days and cold nights

The mountains protect the zone from influence from the sea

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22
Q

Compared to vines by the sea, describe the growing season in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC

A

Longer growing season in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC as it is more inland with a more continental climate

Cooler nights mean the growing season is longer and grapes retain their acidity

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23
Q

Describe the soils found in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC

A

A mixture of sandstone and fossils

Faster draining than Castelli di Jesi

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24
Q

What is the maximum yield in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC?

A

91hl/ha

25
Q

Describe how Verdicchio di Matelica DOC wines might differ in style to Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC

A

Verdicchio di Matelica DOC wines are:

Fuller bodied
Higher acidity
Less overtly fruity

26
Q

What is the minimum alcohol level for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?

A

12.5%

27
Q

What is the minimum ageing requirement for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?

A

18 months (can be in oak)

28
Q

Give the key characteristics of Pecorino

A
Medium intensity
Herbal, sage, thyme, mint, apple, pear
Low acidity
Medium body
High alcohol
29
Q

Is Pecorino a late or early ripening varietal? What effects can this have?

A

It is early ripening, meaning it avoids rains at harvest

30
Q

How might the majority of growers train Pecorino vines and why?

A

Train long in guyot or pergola
The vine has sterile buds near the trunk - needs to be trained longer to bear fruit

Clonal selection is being used to improve productivity

31
Q

Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:

White grape
Medium intensity
Herbal, sage, thyme, mint, apple, pear
Medium body
Low acidity
High alcohol
Mainly found in the south of Marche and in Abruzzo
High disease resistance
A

Pecorino

32
Q

Is Pecorino typically a variety suited to long ageing?

A

No - most wines are released early to retain primary fruit character

A minority of DOCG wines may be aged in old oak for 12 to 18 months for additional texture

33
Q

Give the key characteristics of Passerina

A

White grape
Ripe lemon and yellow apple
High acidity (can start to drop once mature)

Found in Marche and Abruzzo

34
Q

Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:

White grape
Ripe lemon and yellow apple
Mid to late ripening (open to rain at harvest)
High acidity (can start to drop once mature)
Found in Marche and Abruzzo

A

Passerina

35
Q

Give the key characteristics of Biacame

A

Local Marche varietal

Fresh, crisp wines for local consumption

36
Q

Give a tasting note for a simple Montepulciano wine made for easy drinking. Comment on the length of maceration.

A
Medium intensity
Ripe cherry fruit
No oak flavours
Medium body
Medium tannin 

Short maceration for simpler lighter wines is 4 to 5 days

37
Q

Give a tasting note for a complex Montepulciano wine made for ageing. Comment on the length of maceration and the vessels used.

A

Pronounced intensity
Red cherry, black plum fruit
Sweet spice from oak
Medium (+) tannins

Maceration would typically be longer, around 20 days, but care must be taken not to extract too much tannin
Ageing typically in large oak vessels

38
Q

What fungi is Montepulciano resistant to?

A

Downy mildew

Botrytis

39
Q

What fungi is Montepulciano prone to?

A

Powdery mildew

40
Q

Why does Montepulciano require more aeration during winemaking?

A

It is susceptible to developing more reductive sulphur compounds

Pump overs and rack and return can help to bring oxygen into the wine

41
Q

Does Montepulciano ripen relatively evenly or unevenly? What effect does this have?

A

Unevenly within bunches

This leads to lower quality unless picking is very selective

42
Q

What grapes, and at what proportions, are permitted in Rosso Piceno DOC?

A

35% to 85% Montepulciano

Often blended with Sangiovese to add acidity

43
Q

Where is Rosso Piceno DOC?

A

Covers a large area in the middle of the Marche

44
Q

How does Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC differ to Rosso Piceno DOC?

A

Superiore wines require a higher level of alcohol
Superiore wines must age for one year before release
Superiore wines can only be made with fruit from 13 townships in the Ascoli Piceno province

45
Q

What is the main grape in Offida Rosso DOCG, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine?

A

85% - 100% Montepulciano

46
Q

What is the minimum ageing requirement of Offida Rosso DOCG?

A

2 years

1 year must be in oak

47
Q

What is the main grape in Rosso Conero DOC, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine?

A

85% - 100% Montepulciano

48
Q

Where is Rosso Conero DOC?

A

South of Ancona, in the Marche region

49
Q

What is the main grape in Rosso Conero Riserva DOCG, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine? What is the only other grape permitted if blending?

A

85% - 100% Montepulciano

Sangiovese is the only permitted blending partner

50
Q

What is the minimum ageing requirement of Rosso Conero Riserve DOCG?

A

2 years

1 year must be in oak

51
Q

What characteristics does Sangiovese contribute when blended with Montepulciano?

A

Red cherry flavour
High acidity
High tannins

52
Q

What is the name of the consortium in Marche which represents 75% of individual denominations and 80% of exports

A

The IMT

Instituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini

53
Q

How much Marche wine is exported by value?

A

One third

54
Q

What are the leading markets for Marche wines?

A

USA
Canada
China
Japan

55
Q

Are Verdicchio plantings increasing or decreasing? Why?

A

Decreasing - Pinot Grigio is becoming more popular

56
Q

Name the two most important private wine companies in Marche

A

Umani Ronchi

Fazi Battaglia

57
Q

Name the most important co-op in Marche

A

Moncaro

58
Q

When does Passerina ripen?

A

Mid to late (open to rain at harvest)