Sicilia Flashcards
What is the name of the largest active volcano on Sicily?
Etna
What is the name of the traditional training system of the greeks?
Alberello (bush)
What are the three divisions of Sicily based upon the Arabs
Val di Mazara - Western
Val di Noto - Southeast
Val Demone - Northeast
What caused the massive emigration to North and South America in the 20th century?
The economic crisis of phylloxera decimating the vinyards of sicily in the end of the 19th century, leading to emigration in the 20th century.
What was the type of wine produced prior to the 1970s?
Marsala and bulk wine productions
What was the key transition from bulk wine to quality wine production?
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.
What are the three sides of sicily?
Tyrrhenian sea to the north. Ionian sea to the east. Sicilian channel to the south / west.
What are the three most significant rivers in Sicily?
Salso, Simeto and Belice.
What is the climate of Sicily?
Typically mediterranean. Maritime is limited in inland areas. Very high average temperatures.
What is the African Sirocco wind?
The wind that blows from southeast.
What is rain like in sicily?
Very arid. Only rain when you are up in elevation.
What are the soils like in sicily?
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.
Is sicily focused on native grapes or international?
Mostly 80% is native.
Old and new systems of vine training?
Alberello (old)
Cordone Speronanto / Guyot (new dominant)
What area has the largest area under vine?
Sicily.
DOC/G breakdown in Sicilia?
23 DOC
1 DOCG
What is the vino perpetuo?
the wines of Marsala that were made with a version of the solera system.
Who was instrumental in spreading Marsala wine?
John Woodhouse
What is special about the Marsala region as it relates to the DOC system?
delineated and protected before the DOC system was established.
What winegrowing region dominates most of the entire western corner of Sicily?
Marsala DOC
What are the four main grapes of Marsala?
Grillio, Catarratto, Inzolia, and Damaschino
Can red grapes be used for classic Marsala production?
No. White
What does Grillo add to Marsala?
Most important grape. Texture and aroma. Best versions based upon Grillo.
What does Catarratto add to Marsala?
Traditional. Higher yields. Lower in alcohol versus Grillo. Tends to oxidize.
What does Inzolia add to Marsala?
Used before plantings were ravaged by odium. Adds perfume
What does Damaschino add to Marsala?
Very minor role. Least used white grape. High yields.
What is Marsala Vergine?
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.
What is Marsala Superiore?
Marsala Conciato
Matured in wood barrels for 2 years
> 18 abv
4 years for riserva
20% total production
Very fine examples as superiore
What is Marsala Fine?
Marsala Conciato
Min 1 year ageing
intended for cooking.
80% of marsala.
What is Concia?
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.
grillo is the result of a natural crossing of:
(catarratto bianco x zibibbo)
which of the following grapes cannot be used to make marsala?
(Catarratto, grillo, ansonica, carricante)
Carricante
What is contrada?
a small geographic subregion
Which grape has its home in Eloro?
nero d’avola
Between Marsala Vergine and Marsala Fine, which one cannot have any additions after fortification?
Marsala Vergine
Cerasuolo di Vittoria is based upon what two grapes?
Frappato and Nero D’avola
Why are the grapes in Pantelleria trained low to the ground / alberello?
Conserve moisture and to protect vines from the wind.
T/F: Marsala Vergine is made from only white grapes?
True
T/F: Cooked grape must is required to be added to marsala vergine?
False
T/F: Marsala Vergine must spend at least five years in wood
true
T/F: Marsala vergine is the most authentic style of marsala
true
T/F: Pantelleria Island is closer to africa than it is to sicilia
True
T/F: Pantelleria Island has two viable agriculture crops: capers and grapes
True
T/F: Pantelleria Island is sheltered from ocean wind currents by coastal mountains
False
T/F: Pantelleria Island is covered in dark green volcanic rocks
True
What was John Woodhouse’s contribution to Sicilia’s wine industry?
He developed the modern style of marsala and created a market for it in the united kingdom
Which grape of Sicily is not native to sicily?
Zibibbo (muscat of alexandria)
What are the principle red/white grapes of Etna?
Nerello Mascalese and Carricante
The Contea di Sclafani DOC is known for
Nero d’avola, perricone, and catarratto
Marsala’s Vinyards are described how?= with relation to topography?
they lie on flat costal areas and low inland hills
What was Sicilia’s first DOCG?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Is Sicilia predominantly planted to red or white grapes?
White
Carricante historical home is Mount Etna. True or false?
TRUE
Name Italy’s most famous fortified wine, produced in Sicilia
Marsala
Name Europe’s largest and most active volcano, found in Sicilia
Mount Etna
Sicilia is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. True or false?
True
Name the body of water that separates Sicilia from Calabria
The Strait of Messina
Sicilia’s Ansonica grape is better known by what name?
Inzolia
What is Sicilia’s capital city?
Palermo
Etna Rosso DOC can contain up to 20% Nero d’Avola. True or false?
False
Carricante can be used in the production of Marsala. True or false?
False
Cataratto Bianco Lucido is a biotype of Catarratto Bianco. True or False?
True
Sicilia’s Malvasia di Lipari is genetically distinct from Malvasia di Sardegna. True or false?
False
The majority of Sicilia’s vineyards use the alberello training system. True or false?
False
Grillo is considered the most important Marsala grape from a quality standpoint. True or false?
TRUE
Name Sicilia’s most widely planted grape variety
Cataratto Bianco
What is Sicilia most widely planted international red grape?
Syrah
Name Sicilia’s most widely planted red grape variety
NEro D’avola
Sicilia’s grape harvest can take place as late as November. True or false?
True
Etna Bianco DOC must contain a majority of which grape variety?
Carricante
Carricante is notably high in malic acid. True or false?
True
What is the warm wind that affects the western and southern areas of Sicilia?
Sirocco
Faro DOC must include a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nero d’Avola. True or false?
False
Sicilia’s grape harvest can begin as early as July. True or false?
True
Name the two active volcanoes located on Sicilia’s Aeolian Islands
Stromboli and Vulcano
Damaschino can be used in the production of Marsala. True or false?
True
Frappato is a grape variety historically grown around which town in southeast Sicilia?
Vittoria
Name Sicilia’s first DOC appellation
Etna DOC
The eastern part of Sicilia is overhwelmingly planted to white grapes. True or false?
False
Grillo is the result of a natural crossing between Catarratto Bianco and …
Zibbibo (Muscat of Alexandria)
In Sicilia, Muscat of Alexandria is more widely known by what name?
Zibibbo
The Etna DOC is included in which Sicilian province?
Catania
Sicilia’s Calabrese grape is more widely known by what name?
Nero d’Avola
Etna Bianco Superiore DOC must have higher alcohol level and can be produced anywhere within the Etna DOC. True or false?
False
