SIcilia 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 grape varieties used for Marsala?

A

Grillo - most important, best quality

Catarratto - traditional, higher yields, lower ABV can oxidize

Ansonica (Inzolia) - widely used until phylloxera add perfume

Damaschino -minor role; high yield; least used white grape

FOR REDS (Rubino Marsala - Ruby)

Nero d’Avala

Perricone

Nerelloc Mascalese

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2
Q

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG produces what kind of wine

A

Produces only rosato based on Nero d’Avola

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3
Q

Which statemnet is false

a. Marsala Vergine is. made only from white grapes
b. Marsala Vergine is the most authentic style of Marsala
c. Cooked grape must is required to be added to Marsala Vergine
d. Marsala Vergine must spend at least 5 years in wood

A

c. Cooked grape must is NOT required

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4
Q

What statement about Pantelleria Island is false

a. It is covered in dark green volcanic rock
b. It is sheltered from oceanic wind currents by coastal mountain ranges
c. It is closer to Africa that it is to Sicilia
d. It has 2 viable agrecultural crops- capers & grapevines

A

b, It IS NOT SHELTERED, but rather gets hot winds Sirocco rfom N Africa

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5
Q

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

A

in 1770s he developed the modern style of Marsala and created a market for it in the UK

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6
Q

What grape is not native to Sicilia?

a. Grillo
b. Frappato
c. Zibbibo
d. Ner d’Avola

A

c. Zibbibo

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7
Q

What are the principal red and white grapes of Etna’s wine growing area?

A

Nerello Mascalese (red) & Carricante (white)

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8
Q

What are the grapes of The Contea di Sclafani DOC

A

Focuses on Nero d’Avola, Perricone and Catarratto

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9
Q

What is the topology of Marsala’s vineyards?

A

Lie on flat coastal area and low, inland hills

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10
Q

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

A

Zibibbo

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11
Q

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

A

Sirocco

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12
Q

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

A

Carricante

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13
Q

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

A

Etna Rosso must be made from >80% Nerello Mascalese

& up to 20% Nerello Cappucio

NOT NERO D’AVOLA

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14
Q

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

A

False

This was the case until 1950s. In 1980/90s the EU paid winegrowers to remove plants.

Now Guyot and Cordone Speronato accounts for 80% of vinetraining

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15
Q

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

A

True - Harvest can take place as early as July for white varieties in West Siciliy were it is hot and dry or in November for red grapes in Etna where altitude is more alpine

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16
Q

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

A

Vittoria

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17
Q

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

A

False

Only grapes for Marsala are:

Grillo

Catarratto

Inzolia

Damaschino

Reds - Nero d’Alvoa, Perricone and Nerello Mascalese

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18
Q

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

A

False - Superiore must have 80% and most importantly be from the village of MILO

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19
Q

Carricante historical home is Mount Etna. True or false?

A

True

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20
Q

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

A

Marsala

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21
Q

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

A

Zibibbo (Muscat of Alexandria)

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22
Q

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

A

Nero d’Avola

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23
Q

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

A

False - White grapes dominate in the west with Marsala

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24
Q

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

A

True - white grapes in Western Sicily where the growing temperatures are warm/hot

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25
Q

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

A

Mount Etna

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26
Q

That acid is most notable in Carricante?

A

Malic Acid - requires MLF & lees

Oftern, the grape is harvested as late as possible to reduce acidity levels

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27
Q

Name Sicilia’s most widely planted red grape variety

A

Nero d’Avola

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28
Q

What is the most important grape from a quality standpoint in Marsala?

A

Grillo

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29
Q

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

A

Inzolia

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30
Q

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

A

False - There is no Nero d’Avola

Nerello Masaclese 45-60%

Nerello Capuccio 15-30%

Nocera 5-10%

1 year aged

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31
Q

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

A

True

Catarratto Bianco Lucido is considered higher quality and has smaller berries, lower sugar and higher acidity

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32
Q

Is Sicilia predominantly planted to red or white grapes?

A

White 60%

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33
Q

The Etna DOC is included in which Sicilian province?

A

Catania

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34
Q

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

A

True

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35
Q

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

A

True

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36
Q

What is Sicilia’s capital city?

A

Palermo

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37
Q

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

A

Stromboli & Vulcano

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38
Q

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

A

False it is also identical to Greco Bianco in Calabria

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39
Q

What is Sicilia most widely planted international red grape?

A

Syrah

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40
Q

Name Sicilia’s most widely planted grape variety

A

Cataratto Bianco

41
Q

Name Sicilia’s first DOC appellation

A

Etna DOC

42
Q

Name the body of water that separates Sicilia from Calabria

A

Straits of Messina

43
Q

What are the bodies of water that lie to the North, East and South of Sicily

A

Tyranhhean Sea - North

Ionia Sea - East

Canale di Sicilia - South and West

44
Q

What are the mountain peaks in NE Sicily?

A

Sicilian Apennines and considerd an extension from the mainland Southern Apennines

45
Q

What are the 3 areas of Sicily?

A

Val Demone (NE)

Val di Mazara (NW)

Val di Novo (South)

46
Q

What Sicilian grape was revealed to be a mutation or biotype of Sangiovese?

A

Cortino Nero

47
Q

What are contrada’s?

A

Small geographic sub-divisions within a municipal

Analogous to hamlets

Vineyards are historically known by their Contrada rather than vineyard name

Not official, other than. in Etna DOC (2011)

48
Q

What is Nocera?

A

It is a grape native to Faro DOC and rare

Used in part of the blend with Nerello Macalese and Nerello Cappuccio

49
Q

What producer is considered the best in Sicilia and Contea di Sclafani?

A

Tasca d’Almerita

50
Q

What is Nero d’Avola known as in Sicily (and the official registry)?

A

Calabrese

51
Q

Is what SE area of Sicily and what was the synonym for Nero d’Avola?

A

Eloro DOC and Pachino (the town) since it produce vino da taglio (table wine) for blending in France and Italy

52
Q

What are the only viable crops on Pantelliria other than grapes?

A

Capers and grapes

53
Q

What is Conche?

A

Shallow holes dug in Pantelleria to plant and protect vines from the high winds Sirocco (300 + days per year). A version of Alberello

Low yields high sugars

54
Q

Describe the use of graticci with stenditoi in the production of Passito di Pantelleria?

A

Pasto di Panterellria - Most renowned wine -

1st harvest air dried Zibibbo, picked in August, dried in sun, open-air on mats of GRATICCI within a STENDITOI (an open airs spot enclosed in stone walls)

2nd harvest - in September. Grapes immediately vilified

During fermentation - destemmed (by hand) air dried grapes added to must in intervals

These are best in Italy golden amber, ripe stone, orange jam, tropical, dried, raisin, figs apricots, candied, honey and spice - dense and complex

55
Q

How high can sugar content achieve with Passito di Pannelleria for appassimento grapes?

A

Zibbibo dried on graticci (mats) in open air stenditoi (open are spots enclosed by stone walls) can achieve between 25-50% sugar concentration

56
Q

What does Zahib mean in Arabic?

A

Raisin

57
Q

When did Rome arrive in Silicia?

A

2nd c BC

Used Sicilia as the Granary of Rome

58
Q

What are two famous ancient Greek wines?

A

Byblinos from Siracusa

Murgentium from central Sicilia

59
Q

What were the Arabs called that took over Sicilia?

A

Arab Saraceni

60
Q

How large did production in Sicily get during the phylloxers outbreak in France?

A

300,000 ha or 3 times what is produced today

61
Q

What are the active volcanos in Aeolian islands?

A

Stromboli

Volcuno

62
Q

What producer brough back sweet wines of Malvasia di Lipari?

A

Carlo Hauner

63
Q

What is the legal blending partner of Malvasia di Lipari?

A

Corinto Nero 5-8%

It is a mutaion of Sangiovese

64
Q

What is officially the Southern most part of Italy?

A

Lampedusa which is part of an archipelago of Pelagie

65
Q

What mountain ranges form the Sicilian Apennines? (East to West)

A

Mt Peloritani

Mt Nebrodi

Mt Madonie

66
Q

What is Italy’s largest mountain range outside the Alps?

A

Mt Etna

67
Q

What is the largest plain in Sicily?

A

Catania plain between Etna and Iblei

68
Q

Where can you find a plateau on Sicilia?

A

Mt Iblei

69
Q

What is the circumference of Mt Etna?

A

90 miles

70
Q

What is the grape referred to as “Cricket”

A

Grillo

But it actually means grilli or SEEDS

71
Q

What is the historic home of Grillo?

A

Trapani Province

72
Q

What are the parents of Zibibbo?

A

Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains)

and

Axina de Tres Bias (an obscure table wine of Sardegna)

73
Q

Why are many Sicilian DOCs relatively unknown?

A

Most producers will bottle under Sicilia DOC or Terre Siciliane IGT since they are better branded.

74
Q

What are the 3 subdividions of Sicilia

A

Demone (NE)

Noto (SE)

Mazara (W)

75
Q

Where are some of the most distinctive wines appellations in Sicilia?

A

NE in Val Demone

76
Q

Where are the most productive wine growing in Sicilia?

A

West in Val di Mazara

77
Q

What area in Sicilia focuses primarily on traditional grapes?

A

South in Val di Noto

78
Q

Where is the most productive and densely planted in all of Italy?

A

Western Sicilia - Val di Mazara

79
Q

Where are some of the highest elevations in all of Italy and EU?

A

Southern part of Etna

80
Q

Where is the best place to grow Nerello Mascalese?

A

Northern part of Etna up to 900m

Between the towns of Randazzo, Castiglione di Sicili and Linguaglossa)

81
Q

What are vineyards and viticulture like on Etna?

A

With regular erruptions, the land is rugged, terraced and grown with aberello to promote ripening at the higher altitudes.

Many areas are pre-phylloxera given volcanic soils.

82
Q

Where is Nocera considered native?

A

Sicilia in Faro DOC (Messina)

83
Q

What are the only 2 areas with Nerello Mascalese and Capuccio?

A

Etna and Faro

84
Q

What was the wine the John Woodhouse 1st tasted in Marsala in the 1700s?

A

Vino Perpetuo (or Perpetuum)

Wine produced similar to Solera in Jerez

85
Q

What are Marsala Speciali?

A

Flavored Marsala that was a response to drop in demand especially after WW2.

Marsalas were mixed with fruit, nuts, spices, chocolate and egg.

It was eliminated in 1984

86
Q

Describe the soils of Marsala DOC

A

calcareous, but diverse given appellation size,

Marsala - terra rosa;

Salemi – high clay and terre argillose;

Belice Valley – fertile dark soil

87
Q

What is Rubino Marsala?

A

Red Marsala

Using Nero d’Avola; Perricone; Nerello Mascalese

88
Q

What is Conciati?

A

For Marsala Superiore and Fine only

Refers to the process of adding

1. Grape Spirit (acquavit)

2. Mosto Cotto (cooked grape must)

3. Sifron (fortified grape must)

4. Mosto Concentrato (concentrated grape must)

89
Q

What are the 3 labels of Marsala Fine & Superiore?

A

Oro

Amber

Rubino

90
Q

How many styles of Marsala are unique?

A

29 - Including Vergine + Vergine Superiore

27 for Marsala Fine, Superiore and Superiore Riserva with sweetness and ageing

91
Q

What is the most produced Marsala?

A

Marsala Fine (80%)

Marsala Superiore (<20%)

Marsala Vergine (<1%)

92
Q

What is the difference between Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG versus Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo?

A

Vittoria is a still red from Nero d’Avola and Frappato

Where as Abruzzo is Rose from Montepulciano

93
Q

What are cuddie (kuddie)?

A

Irregular hills of volcanic orgina

94
Q

What is the Montagna Grande?

A

Pantelleria’s highest peak at 800m and still an active volcano

95
Q

What Marsala matches the following:

a. allows only white graps, mosto cotto forbidden
b. allows red and white grapes
c. allow only white grapes, must contains at least 1% mosto cotto
d. Sweet, with more than 100 g/L RS

A

a. Oro Marsala

b. Rubino Marsala

c. Ambra Marsala

d. Dolce Marsala

96
Q

What are the following:

a . Mosto Cotto

b. Mosto Concentrato

c. Sifone

d. Acquavite

A

a . Mosto Cotto - cooked grape must

b. Mosto Concentrato - concentrated grape must

c. Sifone - fortified grape must

d. Acquavite - grape spirit

97
Q

Alberello Pantesco is….

A

Pantelleria’s traditional vine-training method

98
Q

What was the most famous wine during Roman times?

A

Mamertinum - consider best in Italy then

was revived in the ’60s around Milazzo

Became DOC 2004