Sicilia Flashcards
What 4 grapes are used in Marsala production?
Grillo (W)
Catarratto (W)
Inzolia (W)
Damaschino (W)
Is Zibbibo (W) native to Sicilia?
NO
Are Frappato (R), Grillo (W) & Nero d’Avola (R) native to Sicilia
Yes
What are the principle white and red grapes of the Etna wine growing area?
Nero Mascalese (R)
Carricante (W)
What grapes does the Contea d’ Scalfani DOC focus on?
Nero d’Avola (R). Perricone (R), & Catarratto (W)
What do Marsala’s vineyards lie on?
Flat coastal areas and low inland hills in western Sicilia
What grape is primarily associated with the town of Vittoria?
Frappato (R)
Where is Carricante (W) primarily grown?
Mount Etna
What is the synonym of Inzolia (W)?
Ansonica (W)
What is the synonym of Nero d’Avola (R)?
Calabrese (R)
What is the white grape workhorse of Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
What international red grape is the second most planted red grape in Sicilia?
Syrah (R)
What % of area under vine is dedicated to white wine?
60%
What is the southernmost region in Italy?
Sicilia between the 36th and 38th parallels
What part of the island is hit by the warm Sirocco winds from Africa, resulting in it being the warmest part of Sicilia?
The south facing side
What is the topography of Sicilia made up of?
Hills (most vineyards)
Mountains
Plains
What is the highest and most active volcano, located in Sicilia?
Mt Etna
What are the most important rivers in Sicilia?
Simeto
Salso
Belice
What is the synonym for “Solera” in Marsala?
Vergine
What is “Mosto Cotto” in relation to the wines of Marsala?
Cooked grape must
It is used to impart darker color and add aromas like burnt sugar and caramel
In Marsala what is “Sifone (or Mistella)”?
Sweet fortified grape must obtained from late harvest grape
It provides sugar, texture & aromas
What Marsala color category only allows white grapes and the proportion of Mosto Cotto must not be <1%
Ambra (amber color)
What Marsala color category requires at least 70% red grapes and adding Mosto Cotto is forbidden?
Rubino (Ruby-red color)
What Marsala color Category only allows white grapes and Mosto Cotto is forbidden?
Oro (yellow-golden color)
A “Pachino” is?
A specific subzone for Nero d’Avola (R) in the Eloro DOC
What is “Alberello Pantesco”?
Pantelleria’ s vine training
Carricante (W) is notably high in malic acid yes or no?
Yes
(T or F) Carricante’ s (W) historic home is Mount Etna?
True
Grillo (W) is a natural cross between Catarratto Bianco (W) and?
Zibbibo (W) (Muscat of Alexandria)
Frappato (R) is a grape variety historically grown around which town in SE Sicilia?
Vittoria
What province is the Etna DOC included in?
Catania
What was Sicilia’s first DOC?
Etna DOC
Name Sicilia’s most planted grape variety?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
Name the 2 active volcanos on Sicilia’s Aeolian Islands?
Stromboli
Vulcano
What grape makes up the majority of Etna Bianco DOC?
Carricante (W)
What is the name of the regional appellation of Sicilia?
Sicilia DOC
What is the primary grape on the Aeolian Islands?
Malvasia di Lipari (W)
What is unique to Passito di Pantelleria?
Two harvests
1. Zibbibo is picked in August & dried in the sun
2. Remaining grapes picked & fermented as normal
3. The 2 are then combined
What are the 2 main types of Pantelleria DOC wines?
Passito di Pantelleria
Moscato di Pantelleria
What is the primary grape of Pantelleria?
Zibbibo (W)
What does the term Liquoroso mean?
A fortified wine
What grape variety has its traditional home in the Eloro DOC?
Nero d’Avola (R)
What type of wine is made in Cerasuolo do Vittoria DOCG?
A blend of Nero d’Avola (R) & Frappato (R)
What is Sicilia’s only DOCG?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
What is the climate in Contea di Scalfani DOC?
Continental due to inland location
What appellation is the only one that uses the Nocera (R) grape?
Faro DOC
What is the only appellation besides Etna DOC where Nerello Mascalese (R) and Nerello Cappuccio (R) are considered traditonal?
Faro DOC
What are the main grapes of the Etna Bianco DOC?
Carricante (W) min 60%
Catarratto (W) max 40%
What is the main grape in Etna Rosso DOC?
Nerello Mascalese (R) min 80%
Nerello Cappuccio (R) max 20%
what is the soil on Etna DOC?
Dark, loose volcanic soil over lava subsoil
Phylloxera resistant
What is a “Contrada” on Sicilia?
A small geographic subdivision like a neighborhood
Where are the vineyards located on MT Etna?
Located in 20 villages in a reverse C around the volcano
What was Sicilia’s first DOC?
Etna DOC
How long does Marsala Virgin need to mature in wood?
5 years
10 years for Riserva (Stravecchio)
What can you add to the base wine when making Marsala Conciati (Superior/Fine)
Grape spirit / ethyl alcohol
Mosto Cotto (cooked must)
Sifone (fortified grape must)
Mosto Concentrate
What can you add to the base wine when making Marsala Virgine?
Grape spirit or ethyl alcohol
NOTHING ELSE
What are the 4 main grapes used in the production of Marsala?
Grillo (W)
Catarratto (W)
Inzolia / Ansonica (W)
Damaschino (W)
What grape is Frappato (R) often blended with?
Nero d’Avola (R)