Puglia Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the location of Puglia?

A

Heel of Italy
South of Abruzzo
Surrounded on 3 sides by Med Sea

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2
Q

What is the climate of Puglia?

A

HOT Mediterranean climate with moderating breezes from the sea
low rainfall = less threat from fungal disease

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3
Q

Soils/Irrigation in Puglia?

A

Fertile soils, irrigation permitted

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4
Q

Historically the wines from Puglia were used how?

A

exported to cooler areas of Italy to add alcohol and body to wines

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5
Q

What wine is made now in Puglia?

A

Much inexpensive wine made, but growers are seeking to raise quality and prices.

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6
Q

what are the top 6 varieties grown in Puglia

A
  1. Sangiovese
  2. Primitive
  3. Negromaro
  4. Montepulciano
  5. Trebbiano Toscano (white)
  6. Trebbiano Giallo (white)
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7
Q

What are Sangiovese and Montepulciano used mostly for?

A

Large volumes of black grapes for bulk wines

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8
Q

3 Main black varieties typical of the Puglia region?

A
  1. Primitive
  2. Negromaro
  3. Nero di Troia
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9
Q

Key characteristics of Primitivo grape?

A
  1. High yielding
  2. AKA Zinfandel
  3. Ripens early in Puglia
  4. picked in August
  5. Prone to spring frost, drought and poor flowering/fruitset
    6.Bunches are looser with smaller berries = more disease resistant than Zinfandel in California
  6. Uneven ripening = strict sorting to produce Quality wine
  7. High sugar = High alcohol
  8. grapes can dry on vine adding to alcohol, so good judging for harvest important to avoid jammy or dried fruit flavour
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10
Q

How are vines trellised in Puglia? Old/New?

A

Older vines typically bush trained and
planted at low density, providing some shading for fruit
New vines (and inexpensive wines) trellised (cordon trained or cane-pruned with VSP) = mechanisation possible

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11
Q

How are inexpensive wines made vs Premium wines?

A

vinified at warm temperatures (26-32ºC)
7-10 days maceration to extract colour and med high levels of tannin
Aged for short (6 months) in S/S or large casks
Premium wine will have longer on skins for greater structure and aged in French Oak for 12 months

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12
Q

What are the 2 Main DOCs of Puglia?

A
  1. Primitivo di Manduria DOC - grape is named so 85% must be Primitive, Max Yield 63 hL/ha
    Riserva aged for 2 1/2 years, incl 9m in wood, min 14% abv
  2. Gioia del Colle DOC - must be 50-60% Primitive, blended with Montepulciano, Sangiovese and/or Negromara, up to 10% Malvasia
    Max yield 52 hL/ha.
    Riserva must be aged 2 yrs (no wood requirement), min 14% abv.
    Hilly area (slightly cooler 250-500m) both DOCs make full-bodied, high alcohol wines
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13
Q

Tasting Notes for Primitivo di Manduria DOC and Gioia del Colle DOC

A

Med (+) to pronounced intensity, ripe to jammy red cherry and strawberry, Med acidity and Med(+) tannin
Some acceptable to good wines plus some outstanding ones
Top producers = Gianfranco Fino (PdMandura) and polvareda (GdColle)

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14
Q

Why has Primativo had mixed fortunes in recent decades?

A

Many old vines removed under EU wine pull scheme, but has become more popular again, partly through success of Californian Zinfandel.

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15
Q

Where is Negromara planted?

A

widely grown on Eastern side of Salento peninsula

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16
Q

describe negromara?

A

High yielding
good resistance to disease and drought
retains acidity
previously used to add alcohol and body to wines (like Primativo)

17
Q

what is the most important DOC using Negromara?

A

Salice Salentino DOC

18
Q

Salice Salentino Rosso DOC requirements?

A

Min 75% Negromara
if Variety on label, 90% Negromara
max yield 84 hL/ha - but can lead to low concentration.
Riserva must be aged for min 2 yrs with 6m in wood

19
Q

how are red wines made with Negromara

A

Macerated on skins for 7-10 days
Aged in S/S for 6m for inexpensive wines or a year in oak for more premium wines

20
Q

Tasting notes for Salice Salentino DOC

A

Black plum and black cherry fruit, med to hi alcohol, med acidity and med (+) tannin

21
Q

Describe a Rosato wine made from negromaro

A

Deep pink orange in colour
popular as a summer drink in the region and wider Italian market
Good quality and inexpensive to mid-priced

22
Q

Name a producer for Negromara

A

Leone de Castris (incl Rosato)

23
Q

Where is Nero di Troia grown?

A

mainly grown in central and middle parts of Puglia

24
Q

characteristics of Nero di Troia grape?

A

Late ripening
prone to Downy mildew
Needs a long season to develop it’s colour = susceptible to autumn rain
uneven ripening = picking at different times = increased passes.

25
Q

Most important PDO for Nero di Troia?

A

Castel del Monte (min 90% Nero di Troia if variety on label)

26
Q

Tasting note for Nero di Troia / Castel del Monte?

A

Med intensity of red cherry and redcurrant fruit with black pepper note
High but fine-grained tannins and med(+) acidity.

27
Q

Winemaking for Castel del Monte DOC vs DOCG?

A

DOC (max yield 91 hL/ha) aged in S/S for 6m
DOCG for Riserva wines (70 hL/ha), 2 yrs of ageing in French oak or casks, 1 yr in wood.
Wines are typically good to v good, a few outstanding

28
Q

Wine Business: What quality wine does Puglia typically produce?

A

Less than 10% is classed as PDO
60% classed as just ‘wine’.

29
Q

Wine Business: Who is the largest Co-Op?

A

Cantina Due Palme, 100 members, 2,500 ha of vineyards

30
Q

Quality has increased in recent decades due to investment from which Italian Wine company?

A

Antinori at Tormaresca