Sicilia Flashcards
1
Q
What 4 grapes are used in Marsala production?
A
Grillo (W)
Catarratto (W)
Inzolia (W)
Damaschino (W)
2
Q
Is Zibbibo (W) native to Sicilia?
A
NO
3
Q
Are Frappato (R), Grillo (W) & Nero d’Avola (R) native to Sicilia
A
Yes
4
Q
What are the principle white and red grapes of the Etna wine growing area?
A
Nero Mascalese (R)
Carricante (W)
5
Q
What grapes does the Contea d’ Scalfani DOC focus on?
A
Nero d’Avola (R). Perricone (R), & Catarratto (W)
6
Q
What do Marsala’s vineyards lie on?
A
Flat coastal areas and low inland hills in western Sicilia
7
Q
What grape is primarily associated with the town of Vittoria?
A
Frappato (R)
8
Q
Where is Carricante (W) primarily grown?
A
Mount Etna
9
Q
What is the synonym of Inzolia (W)?
A
Ansonica (W)
10
Q
What is the synonym of Nero d’Avola (R)?
A
Calabrese (R)
11
Q
What is the white grape workhorse of Sicilia?
A
Catarratto Bianco (W)
12
Q
What international red grape is the second most planted red grape in Sicilia?
A
Syrah (R)
13
Q
What % of area under vine is dedicated to white wine?
A
60%
14
Q
What is the southernmost region in Italy?
A
Sicilia between the 36th and 38th parallels
15
Q
What part of the island is hit by the warm Sirocco winds from Africa, resulting in it being the warmest part of Sicilia?
A
The south facing side
16
Q
What is the topography of Sicilia made up of?
A
Hills (most vineyards)
Mountains
Plains
17
Q
What is the highest and most active volcano, located in Sicilia?
A
Mt Etna
18
Q
What are the most important rivers in Sicilia?
A
Simeto
Salso
Belice
19
Q
What is the synonym for “Solera” in Marsala?
A
Vergine
20
Q
What is “Mosto Cotto” in relation to the wines of Marsala?
A
Cooked grape must
It is used to impart darker color and add aromas like burnt sugar and caramel
21
Q
In Marsala what is “Sifone (or Mistella)”?
A
Sweet fortified grape must obtained from late harvest grape
It provides sugar, texture & aromas
22
Q
What Marsala color category only allows white grapes and the proportion of Mosto Cotto must not be <1%
A
Ambra (amber color)
23
Q
What Marsala color category requires at least 70% red grapes and adding Mosto Cotto is forbidden?
A
Rubino (Ruby-red color)
24
Q
What Marsala color Category only allows white grapes and Mosto Cotto is forbidden?
A
Oro (yellow-golden color)
25
A "Pachino" is?
A specific subzone for Nero d'Avola (R) in the Eloro DOC
26
What is "Alberello Pantesco"?
Pantelleria' s vine training
27
Carricante (W) is notably high in malic acid yes or no?
Yes
28
(T or F) Carricante' s (W) historic home is Mount Etna?
True
29
Grillo (W) is a natural cross between Catarratto Bianco (W) and?
Zibbibo (W) (Muscat of Alexandria)
30
Frappato (R) is a grape variety historically grown around which town in SE Sicilia?
Vittoria
31
What province is the Etna DOC included in?
Catania
32
What was Sicilia's first DOC?
Etna DOC
33
Name Sicilia's most planted grape variety?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
34
Name the 2 active volcanos on Sicilia's Aeolian Islands?
Stromboli
Vulcano
35
What grape makes up the majority of Etna Bianco DOC?
Carricante (W)
36
What is the name of the regional appellation of Sicilia?
Sicilia DOC
37
What is the primary grape on the Aeolian Islands?
Malvasia di Lipari (W)
38
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
39
What are the 2 main types of Pantelleria DOC wines?
Passito di Pantelleria
Moscato di Pantelleria
40
What is the primary grape of Pantelleria?
Zibbibo (W)
41
What does the term Liquoroso mean?
A fortified wine
42
What grape variety has its traditional home in the Eloro DOC?
Nero d'Avola (R)
43
What type of wine is made in Cerasuolo do Vittoria DOCG?
A blend of Nero d'Avola (R) & Frappato (R)
44
What is Sicilia's only DOCG?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
45
What is the climate in Contea di Scalfani DOC?
Continental due to inland location
46
What appellation is the only one that uses the Nocera (R) grape?
Faro DOC
47
What is the only appellation besides Etna DOC where Nerello Mascalese (R) and Nerello Cappuccio (R) are considered traditonal?
Faro DOC
48
What are the main grapes of the Etna Bianco DOC?
Carricante (W) min 60%
Catarratto (W) max 40%
49
What is the main grape in Etna Rosso DOC?
Nerello Mascalese (R) min 80%
Nerello Cappuccio (R) max 20%
50
what is the soil on Etna DOC?
Dark, loose volcanic soil over lava subsoil
Phylloxera resistant
51
What is a "Contrada" on Sicilia?
A small geographic subdivision like a neighborhood
52
Where are the vineyards located on MT Etna?
Located in 20 villages in a reverse C around the volcano
53
What was Sicilia's first DOC?
Etna DOC
54
How long does Marsala Virgin need to mature in wood?
5 years
10 years for Riserva (Stravecchio)
55
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
56
What can you add to the base wine when making Marsala Virgine?
Grape spirit or ethyl alcohol
NOTHING ELSE
57
What are the 4 main grapes used in the production of Marsala?
Grillo (W)
Catarratto (W)
Inzolia / Ansonica (W)
Damaschino (W)
58
What grape is Frappato (R) often blended with?
Nero d'Avola (R)
59
Where is the noble Nerello Mascalese (R) grape primarily grown?
Mount Etna
60
What is Nero d'Avola (R) officially listed as?
Calabrese (R)
61
What grapes is Malvasia di Lipari (W) genetically identical to?
Malvasia di Sardegna (W)
Greco Bianco (W)
62
What is the DOC/G % of production in Sicilia?
20% and growing
63
What is the largest Italian region and the largest island in the Mediterranean?
Sicilia
64
What mountains are on Sicilia?
The Sicilian Apennines and Mt Etna
65
What is the climate on Sicilia?
Mediterranean becoming more continental inland and at elevation
66
What is the traditional vine training system used in Sicilia?
Alberello
67
What grape is Zibbibo (W) the Sicilian name for?
Muscat of Alexandria (W)
68
What native white grape is grown on the high slopes of Etna?
Carricante (W)
Primary grape of Etna Bianco DOC
69
What are the NTK white grapes of Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
Grillo (W)
Inzolia (W)
Zibbibo (W)
Carricante (W)
Malvasia di Lipari (W)
70
What are the NTK native and traditional red grapes of Sicilia?
Nero d'Avola (R)
Nerello Mascalese (R)
Frappato (R)
71
What are the 2 biotypes of Catarratto Bianco (W)
Catarratto Bianco Comune (W)
Catarratto Bianco Lucido (W) (Higher quality)
72
What 2 grapes are the natural crossing that created the Grillo (W) grape?
Catarratto Bianco (W) & Zibbibo (W)
73
What is the soil like on the hills of Sicilia?
Clay & Limestone
74
Which side of Sicilia has mostly white wine and which side has mostly red wine?
Western side - mostly white
Eastern side - mostly red
75
What is the most planted grape on Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco (W) @ 33%
76
What is the most planted red grape?
Nero d'Avola (R)
77
What is the native/international split between grapes?
80% native
20% International
78
What appellation covers the Aeolian islands?
Malvasia del Lipari DOC
79
What is the most renowned wine of Pantelleria DOC?
Passito di Pantelleria made with air dried Zibbibo (W) grapes
80
How are the vines in Pantelleria DOC trained to combat the hot Sirocco winds?
In shallow holes using a low version of Alberello
81
What hot dry wind that blows about 300 days/year can interrupt the ripening process on Pantelleria?
The hot Sirocco wind from Africa
82
What wine has been produced in the Pantelleria DOC since ancient times?
Air dried Zibbibo (W) sweet Passito wine
83
What is the largest of Sicilia's islands and is closest to Africa?
Pantelleria
84
What appellation is the traditional home of Nero d'Avola (R)?
Eloro DOC
85
What is the ideal Frappato (R) reddish, iron rich soil in Cerasuolo de Vittoria DOCG called?
Terra Rossa
86
What was Sicilia's first DOCG?
Cerasuolo de Vittoria DOCG
87
What two wines are permitted in the Contea di Scalfani DOC?
Contea di Scalfani Rosso
Contea di Scalfani Bianco
88
What is the process of adding grape spirit or alcohol or grape must called?
Conciato
89
What is Marsala Fine?
Lowest grade
also called Conciati
Majority is cooking wine
80% of production
90
What is Marsala Superiore?
Called Marsala Conciati
Aging 2 years minimum 18% abv
20% of total production
Additions include multiple products & musts
91
What is Marsala Virgin?
- Only concentrated spirit (aquavit) or ethyl alcohol can be added
- Most authentic and complex marsala
92
What are the grapes of Marsala?
Grillo (W) - Most important for quality
Catarratto (W) - High yields & oxidizes
Inzolia (W) - Adds perfume
Damaschino (W) - minor role
93
What is the area covered by the Marsala DOC?
Roughly the entire western corner of Sicilia
It is one of the warmest and driest in Italy
94
What British merchant put Marsala on the world map?
John Woodhouse
95
What region of Sicilia is its most productive?
Western Sicilia (Val di Mazara)
96
What rare red grape is Faro DOC known for?
Nocera (R)
97
What appellation besides Etna DOC is Nerello Mascalese (R) and Nerello Cappuccio (R) considered traditional?
Faro DOC
98
What appellation has one of Sicilia's most noteworthy terroirs?
Faro DOC
99
What are Etna Bianco wines made from?
min 60% Carricante (W) most are 100%
100
What is Etna DOC's signature wine?
Etna Rosso with a minimum of 80% Nerello Mascalese (R)
101
How are vineyards on Mt Etna usually trained?
Alberello
102
What are "Contrade" on Sicilia?
Small geographical subdivisions like neighborhoods
103
What was Sicilia's first DOC?
Etna DOC
104
What are the island Appellations of Sicilia?
Pantelleria DOC
Malvasia delle Lipari DOC
105
What are the appellations of SE Sicilia (Val di Noto)?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
Vittoria DOC
Eloro DOC
106
What are the appellations of western Sicilia (Val do Mazara)?
Marsala DOC
Contea di Scalfani ( or Valle Dolmo Contea di Scalfani) DOC
107
What are the appellations of NE Sicilia (Val Demone)
Etna DOC
Faro DOC
108
What are the 3 subdivisions that Sicilia can be grouped into?
Val Demone (NE)
Val di Noto (SE)
Val di Mazara (western)
There is also the islands of Pantelleria & Aeolian Archipelagos
109
How many DOC/Gs are in Sicilia?
1 DOCG
23 DOC's
110
What region has Italy's largest area under vine?
Sicilia
111
What vine training systems account for about 80% of those used in Sicilia?
Guyot
Cordon Speronato
112
What is the red grape historically grown around Vittoria in SE Sicilia?
Frappato (R)
113
What is the noble red grape that is native to Mount Etna?
Nerello Mascalese (R), it is almost exclusive to this area
114
What is the most predominant and key red grape in Sicilia?
Nero d'Avola (R)
115
What is Nero d'Avola (R) historically known as?
Calabrese
116
What is the grape Malvasia di Lipari (W) famous for?
The production of the prized and complex Passito Malvasia delle Lipari DOC wine
117
Where is Carricante (W) almost exclusively grown?
On the slopes of Mount Etna
118
Where is the Zibbibo (W) grape primarily grown?
The island of Pantelleria to produce sweet Passito wines
119
What is the stronghold for the Inzolia (W) grape?
The western part of the island
120
What grapes is Grillo (W) a natural cross between?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
Zibbibo (Muscat of Alexandria) (W)
121
Since the early 20th century what grape is the principle one for Marsala production?
Grillo (W)
122
What grape was the base for Marsala Wine?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
123
What are the 2 main Biotypes of Catarratto Bianco (W)?
Catarratto Bianco Comune (W)
Catarratto Bianco Lucido (W) higher quality
124
What are the NTK red grapes of Sicilia?
Nero d'Avola (R)
Nerello Mascalese (R)
Frappato (R)
125
What are the NTK white grapes of Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco (W)
Grillo (W)
Inzolia (Ansonica) (W)
Zibbibo (W)
Carricante (W)
Malvasia di Lipari (W)
126
What international red grape has the most plantings?
Syrah
127
What is the dominant red grape of Sicilia?
Nero d'Avola (R)
128
What white grape is substantially increasing in plantings?
Grillo (W)
129
What is the most planted grape in Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco at 30% of total but declining
130
What % of grapes in Sicilia are native to the island?
About 80%
131
What color grape dominates eastern Sicilia?
Overwhelmingly red
132
What grape dominates in Sicilia white or red?
White >60%
133
What soil type surrounds Mt Etna?
Dark lava, ash, and volcanic debris
134
What is the name of the African wind that affects Sicilia?
Sirocco
135
What is the climate of Sicilia?
Mediterranean
136
What are the 3 most significant rivers in Sicilia?
Salso
Simeto
Belice
137
Where in Sicilia is Mt Etna located?
The NE coast
138
What is the topographical makeup of Sicilia?
Hills 62%
Mountains 24%
Plains 14%
139
What is the capital of Sicilia?
Palermo
140
What separates Scalia from Calabria?
The Straits of Messina
141
What is the largest island in the Mediterranean?
Sicilia
142
Is Sicilia Italy's largest region?
Yes
143
(T or F) Sicilia is one of Italy's 5 Autonomous regions?
True
144
Who first settled Sicilia?
The Phoenicians
145
What are the 2 volcanos located on the Aeolian Island Archipelago?
Stromboli
Vulcano
146
What largest European active volcano is located on Sicilia?
Mt Etna
147
What village Must the grape Carricante (W) for Etna Bianco Superior come from
Milo
