Sicilia

Question 1

What is the name of the largest active volcano on Sicily?

Answer 1

Etna

Question 2

What is the name of the traditional training system of the greeks?

Answer 2

Alberello (bush)

Question 3

What are the three divisions of Sicily based upon the Arabs

Answer 3

Val di Mazara - Western
Val di Noto - Southeast
Val Demone - Northeast

Question 4

What caused the massive emigration to North and South America in the 20th century?

Answer 4

The economic crisis of phylloxera decimating the vinyards of sicily in the end of the 19th century, leading to emigration in the 20th century.

Question 5

What was the type of wine produced prior to the 1970s?

Answer 5

Marsala and bulk wine productions

Question 6

What was the key transition from bulk wine to quality wine production?

Answer 6

Istituto Regionale della Vite e del Vino (regional institute of Vine and WIne). The research contributed greatly to re-planting the right grape varieties in the right places.

Question 7

What are the three sides of sicily?

Answer 7

Tyrrhenian sea to the north. Ionian sea to the east. Sicilian channel to the south / west.

Question 8

What are the three most significant rivers in Sicily?

Answer 8

Salso, Simeto and Belice.

Question 9

What is the climate of Sicily?

Answer 9

Typically mediterranean. Maritime is limited in inland areas. Very high average temperatures.

Question 10

What is the African Sirocco wind?

Answer 10

The wind that blows from southeast.

Question 11

What is rain like in sicily?

Answer 11

Very arid. Only rain when you are up in elevation.

Question 12

What are the soils like in sicily?

Answer 12

Diverse.
Limestone and calcareous-clay in western / southeast
Metamorphic / igneous rocks in northeastern corner
Marine-clay in upper belice river valley
Clay/sandstone/marl in northwest.
Lava and ash around Etna.

Question 13

Is sicily focused on native grapes or international?

Answer 13

Mostly 80% is native.

Question 14

Old and new systems of vine training?

Answer 14

Alberello (old)
Cordone Speronanto / Guyot (new dominant)

Question 15

What area has the largest area under vine?

Answer 15

Sicily.

Question 16

DOC/G breakdown in Sicilia?

Answer 16

23 DOC
1 DOCG

Question 17

What is the vino perpetuo?

Answer 17

the wines of Marsala that were made with a version of the solera system.

Question 18

Who was instrumental in spreading Marsala wine?

Answer 18

John Woodhouse

Question 19

What is special about the Marsala region as it relates to the DOC system?

Answer 19

delineated and protected before the DOC system was established.

Question 20

What winegrowing region dominates most of the entire western corner of Sicily?

Answer 20

Marsala DOC

Question 21

What are the four main grapes of Marsala?

Answer 21

Grillio, Catarratto, Inzolia, and Damaschino

Question 22

Can red grapes be used for classic Marsala production?

Answer 22

No. White

Question 23

What does Grillo add to Marsala?

Answer 23

Most important grape. Texture and aroma. Best versions based upon Grillo.

Question 24

What does Catarratto add to Marsala?

Answer 24

Traditional. Higher yields. Lower in alcohol versus Grillo. Tends to oxidize.

Question 25

What does Inzolia add to Marsala?

Answer 25

Used before plantings were ravaged by odium. Adds perfume

Question 26

What does Damaschino add to Marsala?

Answer 26

Very minor role. Least used white grape. High yields.

Question 27

What is Marsala Vergine?

Answer 27

Marsala from white grapes only. Fortified by adding grape spirit or EtOH. No other additions. Matured in Cherry / Oak min 5 years age < 4pct sugar, > 18% alcohol Can be reserva Solera Smallest. Most complex style.

Question 28

What is Marsala Superiore?

Answer 28

Marsala Conciato Matured in wood barrels for 2 years > 18 abv 4 years for riserva 20% total production Very fine examples as superiore

Question 29

What is Marsala Fine?

Answer 29

Marsala Conciato Min 1 year ageing intended for cooking. 80% of marsala.

Question 30

What is Concia?

Answer 30

Process of adding grape spirit / EtOH, cooked grape must (mosto cotto), and Sifone (fortified grape must) and concentrated grape must (mosto concentrato) . Mixing defined by discipliniarie.

Question 31

grillo is the result of a natural crossing of:

Answer 31

(catarratto bianco x zibibbo)

Question 32

which of the following grapes cannot be used to make marsala? (Catarratto, grillo, ansonica, carricante)

Answer 32

Carricante

Question 33

What is contrada?

Answer 33

a small geographic subregion

Question 34

Which grape has its home in Eloro?

Answer 34

nero d'avola

Question 35

Between Marsala Vergine and Marsala Fine, which one cannot have any additions after fortification?

Answer 35

Marsala Vergine

Question 36

Cerasuolo di Vittoria is based upon what two grapes?

Answer 36

Frappato and Nero D'avola

Question 37

Why are the grapes in Pantelleria trained low to the ground / alberello?

Answer 37

Conserve moisture and to protect vines from the wind.

Question 38

T/F: Marsala Vergine is made from only white grapes?

Answer 38

True

Question 39

T/F: Cooked grape must is required to be added to marsala vergine?

Answer 39

False

Question 40

T/F: Marsala Vergine must spend at least five years in wood

Answer 40

true

Question 41

T/F: Marsala vergine is the most authentic style of marsala

Answer 41

true

Question 42

T/F: Pantelleria Island is closer to africa than it is to sicilia

Answer 42

True

Question 43

T/F: Pantelleria Island has two viable agriculture crops: capers and grapes

Answer 43

True

Question 44

T/F: Pantelleria Island is sheltered from ocean wind currents by coastal mountains

Answer 44

False

Question 45

T/F: Pantelleria Island is covered in dark green volcanic rocks

Answer 45

True

Question 46

What was John Woodhouse's contribution to Sicilia's wine industry?

Answer 46

He developed the modern style of marsala and created a market for it in the united kingdom

Question 47

Which grape of Sicily is not native to sicily?

Answer 47

Zibibbo (muscat of alexandria)

Question 48

What are the principle red/white grapes of Etna?

Answer 48

Nerello Mascalese and Carricante

Question 49

The Contea di Sclafani DOC is known for

Answer 49

Nero d'avola, perricone, and catarratto

Question 50

Marsala's Vinyards are described how?= with relation to topography?

Answer 50

they lie on flat costal areas and low inland hills

Question 51

What was Sicilia's first DOCG?

Answer 51

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Question 52

Is Sicilia predominantly planted to red or white grapes?

Answer 52

White

Question 53

Carricante historical home is Mount Etna. True or false?

Answer 53

TRUE

Question 54

Name Italy's most famous fortified wine, produced in Sicilia

Answer 54

Marsala

Question 55

Name Europe's largest and most active volcano, found in Sicilia

Answer 55

Mount Etna

Question 56

Sicilia is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. True or false?

Answer 56

True

Question 57

Name the body of water that separates Sicilia from Calabria

Answer 57

The Strait of Messina

Question 58

Sicilia's Ansonica grape is better known by what name?

Answer 58

Inzolia

Question 59

What is Sicilia's capital city?

Answer 59

Palermo

Question 60

Etna Rosso DOC can contain up to 20% Nero d'Avola. True or false?

Answer 60

False

Question 61

Carricante can be used in the production of Marsala. True or false?

Answer 61

False

Question 62

Cataratto Bianco Lucido is a biotype of Catarratto Bianco. True or False?

Answer 62

True

Question 63

Sicilia's Malvasia di Lipari is genetically distinct from Malvasia di Sardegna. True or false?

Answer 63

False

Question 64

The majority of Sicilia's vineyards use the alberello training system. True or false?

Answer 64

False

Question 65

Grillo is considered the most important Marsala grape from a quality standpoint. True or false?

Answer 65

TRUE

Question 66

Name Sicilia's most widely planted grape variety

Answer 66

Cataratto Bianco

Question 67

What is Sicilia most widely planted international red grape?

Answer 67

Syrah

Question 68

Name Sicilia's most widely planted red grape variety

Answer 68

NEro D'avola

Question 69

Sicilia's grape harvest can take place as late as November. True or false?

Answer 69

True

Question 70

Etna Bianco DOC must contain a majority of which grape variety?

Answer 70

Carricante

Question 71

Carricante is notably high in malic acid. True or false?

Answer 71

True

Question 72

What is the warm wind that affects the western and southern areas of Sicilia?

Answer 72

Sirocco

Question 73

Faro DOC must include a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nero d'Avola. True or false?

Answer 73

False

Question 74

Sicilia's grape harvest can begin as early as July. True or false?

Answer 74

True

Question 75

Name the two active volcanoes located on Sicilia's Aeolian Islands

Answer 75

Stromboli and Vulcano

Question 76

Damaschino can be used in the production of Marsala. True or false?

Answer 76

True

Question 77

Frappato is a grape variety historically grown around which town in southeast Sicilia?

Answer 77

Vittoria

Question 78

Name Sicilia's first DOC appellation

Answer 78

Etna DOC

Question 79

The eastern part of Sicilia is overhwelmingly planted to white grapes. True or false?

Answer 79

False

Question 80

Grillo is the result of a natural crossing between Catarratto Bianco and …

Answer 80

Zibbibo (Muscat of Alexandria)

Question 81

In Sicilia, Muscat of Alexandria is more widely known by what name?

Answer 81

Zibibbo

Question 82

The Etna DOC is included in which Sicilian province?

Answer 82

Catania

Question 83

Sicilia's Calabrese grape is more widely known by what name?

Answer 83

Nero d'Avola

Question 84

Etna Bianco Superiore DOC must have higher alcohol level and can be produced anywhere within the Etna DOC. True or false?

Answer 84

False