Puglia** Flashcards
Where the “need to know” appellations are situated within the region
The climate, topography and soils of the “need to know” appellations
The grape varieties and principal wine styles of the “need to know” appellations
In what region is the benchmark Italian rose made?
Puglia, particularly Salento
What is the Via Appia?
Appian Way, ancient Roman road the conected Rome to Brindisi
What is the significance of the history of Taranto?
Port city of Puglia, founded by Spartan settlers in 706 BCE
What is the least mountainous region of Italy?
Puglia (2%)
What regions border Puglia?
Molise, Campania, Basilicata
What sea borders Puglia?
Adriatic and Ionian Seas
What is karst?
a topography formed from the dissolution (erosion) of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It is characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves (e.g. the Murge plateau)
Describe Puglia’s topographical structure.
plains 53%, hills 45%, mountains 2% [Puglia:Plains]
What are the factors that influence Puglia’s climate?
cold air from east, increased rain near Southern Apennines, proximity to Mediterranean Sea
What Italian region was known as “the wine reservoir” of Europe?
Puglia
What 3 Italian wine regions produce the most wine?
Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia (topographically all with a substantial portion of plains)
Who were the original inhabitants of Puglia?
Iapygians
What 3 civilizations contributed to early (BCE) viticulture in Puglia?
Iapygians, Greeks, Romans
Who were the main competing forces after the fall of the Roman Empire? Over what time period did this occur?
Lombards, Franks, Byzantines, Arabs in the 5th thru 10th century CE
What force brought stability to Puglia after the year 1000 CE?
Normans through the Kingdom of Sicily
What was the role of Severino Garofano?
Italian enologist that guided Puglia to better quality in the 1990’s
What are the distinctions of the climate of Puglia?
Mostly Mediterranean climate; one of the warmest and driest region of Italy (Apulia may be derived from ‘a-pluvia’ - without rain)
Where is the driest area of Puglia?
Tavoliere
Where is the wettest area of Puglia?
northwestern mountain ranges, southern tip of Salento peninsula and Gargano
What is the least mountainous region of Italy?
Puglia
What are the major rivers in Puglia?
Ofanto and Fortore Rivers in the north, although rivers in Puglia are rather scant in number compared to other regions
Name a characteristic soil in Puglia?
terra rossa
What is terra rossa?
Terra rossa ( Italian for “red soil”) is a type of red clay soil produced by the weathering of limestone. When limestone weathers, the clay contained in the rocks is left behind, along with any other non-soluble rock material. Under oxidizing conditions, iron oxide (rust) forms in the clay. This gives it a characteristic red to orange colour. found in Puglia
What is the role of irrigation in Puglia?
often needed due to low rainfall and well drained soils
Where are alluvial soils found in Puglia?
on the flatter areas such as Tavoliere
What is Puglia’s dominant soil type in the northern part?
alluvial in flatter areas (Tavoliere), sandy-gravelly in gentle rolling hills along Ofanto River
What is Puglia’s dominant soil type in the central part?
calcareous (karst in the Murge);
What is Puglia’s dominant soil type in the southern part?
calcareous sandy-clays over a limestone sub-soil (Salento)
What is the mix or red and white grapes in Puglia?
70% red
What are the most planted red grapes in Puglia?
Sangiovese, Primitivo, Negro Amaro, Montpulciano
What is the role of Sangiovese in quality wine from Puglia?
Although Sangiovese is the most planted grape, it has very little role in the production of quality wine in Puglia.
What are the flagship red grapes of Puglia?
Primitivo, Nero di Troia, Negro Amaro
What are the most noteworthy native white grapes of Puglia?
Bombino Bianco and Verdeca
What are the most planted white grapes in Puglia?
Trebbianos and Malvasia Bianca
What is the etymology of Primitivo?
primitivus in Latin can indicate early ripening.
Where and when was Primitivo first noted?
end of 18th century in Gioia del Colle, Puglia
Primitivo is a synonym for what grape?
Zinfindel and Tribidrag (Crljenak Kastelanski)
Describe the ripening of Primitivo.
early and uneven [contrast with late ripening of Aglianico]
How is Primitivo trained?
alberello [Primitive Bush]
What Puglia apellations are associated with Primitivo?
Manduria and Gioia del Colle
What is the etymology of Negro Amaro?
Negro - black from dark color of grape, amaro - bitter tannins
What Puglia apellations are associated with Negro Amaro?
Salice Salento DOC and Salento IGT
What Puglia apellations are associated with Nero di Troia?
Castel del Monte
Bombino Nero is native to what region?
unknown, presumed to be Puglia
Bombino Nero is most often used for what style of wine?
rosato, thin skin imparts very little pigment
Bombino Nero is planted most often in what area?
northern and central parts of Puglia
What is the etymology of Bombino Nero?
small bomb referring to shape of the bunches
What is the tasting profile of rosatos made from Bombino Nero?
fresh and delicate floral and red fruit aromas, lighter in body and structure than rosatos made from Negro Amaro (Robinson: simple, soft, red-fruit flavors)
What is the acid and sugar level of Bombino Nero grapes?
high acid, moderate sugar levels
Bombino Bianco is native to what region?
unknown, presumed to be Puglia
Bombino Bianco is commonly mistaken for what grape?
Trebbiano Abruzzese (Robinson: these may actually be the same)
Bombino Bianco is planted most often in what area?
northern and central parts of Puglia
Bombino Bianco is best suited for what style of wine?
natural acidity and restrained aroma suits it for sparkling wine (Robinson: used for inexpensive German Sekt)
What is a synonym for Nero di Troia?
Uva di Troia, traditional name, but less marketable
Describe the ripening and skin thickness of Nero di Troia.
late ripening and thick skin
What is Puglia’s traditional vine training system?
alberello and more recently tendone
What 2 Italian wine regions have the most land under vine?
Sicilia (>250K acres,) Puglia (>200K acres)
Describe Puglia’s wine quality pyramid.
<20% DOC/G; 33% IGT; 50% VdT
What is the significance of Leone de Castris?
first producer to commercially bottle rosato in Puglia
What is the significance of Foggia?
northern Puglia province which encompasses Tavoliere alluvial plain (aka Daunia)
What is the significance of Daunia?
Historic name for Foggio, northern Puglia province which encompasses Tavoliere alluvial plain; also is a mountain range in southern Italy, constituting the eastern appendix of the Campanian Apennines.
What is distinctive about the wines of Cacc’e mmitte di Lucera DOC?
red and white grape blends; red is based on Nero di Troia; most commonly used white grape is Bombino Bianco
What is Puglia’s oldest DOC?
San Severo DOC [saN severO - most NOrthern, Oldest]
What is Puglia’s northernmost appellation?
San Severo DOC [saN severO - most NOrthern, Oldest]
What is the significance of D’Arapri?
producer that has championed metodo classico sparkling Bombino Bianco since late 70’s in San Severo DOC.
What is the geological marker for the appellations of central Puglia?
the Murge limestone plateau
What are the most important grapes for the appellations of central Puglia
Primitivo, Nero di Troia [ceNTral Pulgia]
What is Castel del Monte?
octagonal 13th century castle built by Frederick II
Who was Frederick II?
a Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily in the Middle Ages, a member of the House of Hohenstaufen, excommunicated by the Pope 4 times.
What is the most important grape of Castel del Monte?
Nero di Troia, second is Bombino Nero
Which Castel del Monte appellation can append an MGA to the label?
all, the 3 DOCG’s and the DOC can append any of the 33 MGA’s
What are the principal IGTs of Puglia?
Puglia IGT and Salento IGT
What are the appellations in the winegrowing area of Castel del Monte?
Four: Castel del Monte DOC, CdM Rosso Riverva DOCG, CdM Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG, CdM Bombino Nero DOCG
What are the most significant wines from Puglia IGT’s?
Primitivo and Negro Amaro wines from IGT’s can be high quality. Rosato’s are released under Salento IGT.
What is the focus of wine styles in Castel del Monte DOC?
none, wide variety of wines and wine styles including red, white, rosato, frizzante, novello and spumante
What is the focus of wine styles in Castel del Monte Rosso Riverva DOCG?
still, dry, red blends with minimum 65% Nero di Troia, also can include Montepulciano and Aglianico
What is the focus of wine styles in Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG?
still, dry, red varietal with a minimum 90% Nero di Troia
What is the focus of wine styles in Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG?
still, dry, rosato with a minimum 90% Bambino Nero
What is the focus of wine styles in Gioia del Colle DOC?
dry red 100% Primitivo
What is the size comparison of the Castel del Monte appellations?
All the appellations overlap with the single DOC being slightly larger by including land on the bank of Ofanto River; the 3 DOCG’s completely overlap.
What town is known as “La Citta Blanca?”
Ostuni, tourist town near Brindisi, 8 km from Adriatic
What are trulli?
small white houses with conical rooves built with limestone by dry stacked construction
What is the significance of Alberobello?
village known as “capital of the trulli,” a Unesco World Heritage Site
Apulian rosato is most often made with which two grape varieties?
Negro Amaro and Bombino Nero
Which Apulian appellaton is most identified with the Murge plateau?
Castel del Monte DOC
What is the typical tasting note of wine from Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG?
rosato is delicate, fragrant and light-bodied with bright acidity and fresh aromas of citrus, red berries and flowers
Where is Gioia del Colle DOC located?
Just south of Bari on the karst plateau of Murge
Describe soils in Gioia del Colle.
terra rossa atop limestone sub-soil
Compare elevation of vineyards in Gioia del Colle to those of Manduria.
higher, cooler, greater diurnal swings
Compare topography of vineyards in Gioia del Colle to those of Manduria.
hilly in Giolia del Colle; flatter in Manduria
Where is Primitivo di Manduria DOC located?
south of Brindisi, east of Taranto, along Ionian sea coast
Compare tasting notes of Primitivo from Gioia del Colle to those of Manduria.
More elegance from Gioia del Colle; richer and fuller (more powerful) from Manduria
Where is Salento?
the “heel” of the Italian “boot”
What is the oldest DOC designated for Primitivo?
Primitivo di Manduria DOC
What are the largest and most productive DOC’s of Puglia?
Salice Salentino DOC and Primitivo di Manduria DOC
What is the topography of Primitivo di Manduria DOC?
predominantly flat or just lightly undulating
What is the varietal requirement for Primitivo di Manduria?
at least 85% Primitivo; also 13.5% abv (or 14% abv for Riserva)
What was Puglia’s first DOCG?
Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale (2011) [not exactly historic]
Describe the concentration process used for Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG?
overripen on vine or appassiemento (100% Primitivo vs. 85% for dry wine from DOC)
What are alcohol and sugar levels required for Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG?
potential 16%, final 13% abv; at least 50 g/l residual sugar
What is the prinicipal DOC for production of wines from Negro Amaro?
Salice Salentino DOC
How does terra rossa compare to most clay soils?
It has surprisingly good drainage characteristics, favorable for wine production as in La Mancha and Coonawarra and Puglia
What is the varietal requirement for Primitivo di Manduria appellations?
100% Primitivo in sweet DOCG vs. 85% for dry wine from DOC
What is the “spur” of the Italian boot?
Gargano
What separates Puglia from Campania?
the Mount Dauni mountain range
