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Italian Wine Scholar: Central & Southern Italy > Sicilia: Northeast, Western Appellations > Flashcards

Sicilia: Northeast, Western Appellations Flashcards

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1
Q

How many DOC/Gs are there in Sicilia?

A

As of 2016:
* 1 DOCG
* 23 DOCs

Some of these DOCs are hardly known and are little used by producers who prefer to bottle their wines under the recently appointed regional Sicilia DOC and Terre Siciliane IGT.

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2
Q

How is Sicilia broadly divided?

A

Into 3 groupings that roughly correspond to the 3 corners of the island:
* Northeast
* Southeast
* Western Sicilia

These divisions also correspond to the historic administrative sub-divisions of the island:
* Val Demone (northeast)
* Val di Noto (southeast)
* Val di Mazara (western Sicilia)

One additional group includes the appellations on the islands of:
* Pantellaria
* Aeolian archipelago

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3
Q

Name the appellations of Northeast Sicilia (Val Demone).

A
  • Etna DOC
  • Faro DOC
  • Mamertino (Mamertino di Milazzo) DOC
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4
Q

Which DOC was Sicilia’s first?

A

Etna DOC

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5
Q

Where is the Etna DOC located?

A

This winegrowing area forms a semi-circle around the Etna volcano from the north-side, around the east-side down to the south-side.

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6
Q

How many villages are there in Etna DOC?

A

20 villages in the province of Catania. Each village comprises several contrade.

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7
Q

What are contrade?

A

In Sicilia, the contrade (plural of contrada) are small geographic sub-divisions within municipal territories. They are somewhat analogous to hamlets or neighborhoods, but are administrative entities.

Historically, the vineyards of Sicilia were and still are identified by contrada (rather than vineyard names). In most of Sicilia’s appellations, the contrade are not yet officially recognized by law, although the importance in terms of grape characteristics and wine profiles are well-known among growers and producers.

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8
Q

Which appellation in Sicilia is the only one that has officially incorporated the use of the contrade on its wine labels?

A

Etna DOC

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9
Q

What is the climate in Etna DOC?

A

The high altitude vineyards are cool continental with almost alpine-like conditions.

Snow falls in winter.

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10
Q

What features contribute to the climate in Etna DOC?

A

High-altitude gives the wines a more northern character vs. a classic southern Italian personality.
Vineyards at high altitude (particularly in the northern and southern sides of the volcano) have huge diurnal temperature swings.

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11
Q

How much rain does Etna DOC receive?

A

The average annual rainfall (40-47in/1,000-1,200mm) is considerably higher than that of most of Sicilia, but it varies from slope to slope. The eastern side of the volcano is the wettest and rainfall tends to be concentrated mainly in autumn and winter.

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12
Q

What is the elevation of the vineyards in Etna DOC?

A

Most lie between 1,000-3,600ft/300-1,100m.

Some of the highest in Italy and in Europe.

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13
Q

Where in Etna DOC are white grapes mostly grown?

A

In the southern part of the appellation at elevation.

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14
Q

Where in Etna DOC is considered ideal for Nerello Mascalese?

A

The northern part of the appellation.

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15
Q

How are the vineyards in Etna DOC planted?

A

In small, often terraced parcels and are supported by walls built from volcanic rock. The area is difficult to farm.

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16
Q

How are the vines in Etna DOC trained?

A

Generally they are trained in alberello fashion with individual stakes. Alberello is extremely practical at higher altitudes as low training promotes better ripening. (Some of these vines are pre-phylloxera and are growing on their own rootstocks.
Cordone Speronato is also used.

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17
Q

What vine density are the vineyards in Etna DOC planted at?

A

8,000-10,000 vines/ha

Yields are low.

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18
Q

What types of soils are found in Etna DOC?

A

They are composed of volcanic material: lava, ash, lapilli, pumice. They are sandy, loose, well-drained, deep, mineral-rich and abundant in volcanic rock. Their dark colour allows them to absorb/radiate heat back to the vines.
The sub-soil is composed of lava.

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19
Q

What influences the diversity found among the different contrade in Etna DOC?

A

Variation in:
* types of volcanic soil
* altitude
* exposure.

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20
Q

What is the signature wine of Etna DOC?

A

Etna Rosso

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21
Q

What are the grape requirements of Etna Rosso?

A
  • min. 80% Nerello Mascalese
  • max. 20% Nerello Cappuccio

Many are pure Nerello Mascalese

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22
Q

What is the maturation practice for Etna Rosso DOC?

A

Red wines are generally matured in wood.
Small oak barrels are a common choice but some producers prefer larger barrels (botti).

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23
Q

What are the aging requirements for riserva wines from Etna Rosso DOC?

A
  • min. 4 years maturation
  • min. 1 year in oak
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24
Q

What are the characteristics of Etna Rosso DOC wines?

A

Snappy aromas of red berries (cherries, cranberries and raspberries), delicate floral, herbal and tobacco notes coupled with mineral, smoke and spice.
Often described as Burgundian in style, they are elegant with fine tannins, bright acidity and aromatic finesse.

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25
Q

What are the grape requirements of Etna Bianco DOC wines?

A
  • min. 60% Carricante
  • max. 40% Catarrato Bianco (Comune or Lucido)
  • max. 15% other white grapes

In practice, most are largely or solely Carricante.

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26
Q

What vessels are used in the vinification of Etna Bianco DOC wines?

A

Most in stainless steel, but some producers use large oak barrels for maturation.

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27
Q

What are the characteristics of Etna Bianco DOC wines?

A

Mineral and racy with aromas of citrus, flowers (broom, acacia), and aromatic herbs. They often display saline character.
The best examples age well and develop more intense flinty aromas with bottle age.

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28
Q

How many contrade UGAs are there in Etna DOC?

A

133

These can appear on labels if the grapes were grown entirely in the stated contrada.

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29
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Etna DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosato
  • rosso
  • rosso riserva
  • spumante
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30
Q

Where is Faro DOC located?

A

This appellation is situated on the north-east tip of Sicilia. The vineyards lie along the steep foothills of the Peloritani range on the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts.

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31
Q

When did Faro gain DOC status?

A

1976

But the appellation was almost non-existent until the 1980s.

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32
Q

Who resuscitated the Faro DOC in the 1990s?

A

The inspiring Palari estate.

Today, this is considered one of Sicilia’s most noteworthy terroirs - even though the number of producers and volume of wine remains small.

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33
Q

What is the climate in Faro DOC?

A

Mediterranean

The area is greatly impacted by winds.

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34
Q

How is rainfall in Faro DOC?

A

Higher than most of Sicilia.

35
Q

What soil types are found in Faro DOC?

A

Predominantly alluvial with more sand content along the Ionian coast and more clay along the Tyrrhenian coast
Subsoils are metamorphic rock such as schist.

36
Q

What grapes are used to produce Faro DOC wines?

A
  • 45-60% Nerello Mascalese
  • 15-30% Nerello Cappuccio
  • 5-10% Nocera
37
Q

The rare red grape, Nocera, is believed to be native to the area of which appellation?

A

Faro DOC

38
Q

What characteristics is the Nocera variety prized for?

A

Its deep colour; it crafted wines with high levels of tannins, alcohol and acid.

39
Q

What factors contribute to the rarity of the Nocera grape?

A

Plantings were severely reduced due to:
* Phylloxera
* the declining bulk-wine market
* the two World Wars

40
Q

What are the aging requirements of Faro DOC wines?

A

min. 1 year aging

41
Q

What are the characteristics of Faro DOC wines?

A

Elegant and perfumed with aromas of red berries and spices. It possesses fresh acidity and soft-textured tannins.

42
Q

Where is Mamertino DOC located?

A

This appellation is situated west and south of the Faro DOC.
It covers a large geographic area to the west of Messina which was prized for its wines during the Roman period.

43
Q

What wines are produced under Mamertino DOC?

A
  • Mamertino Rosso: based on Nero d’Avola and Nocera
  • varietal Mamertino Nero d’Avola
  • Mamertino Bianco: based on Grillo, Inzolia and Catarratto
  • Mamertino Grillo-Inzolia blend
44
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Mamertino DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosso
  • riserva
  • varietal
45
Q

What was Mamertinum?

A

This was the most famous Sicilian wine during the Roman period and was considered among the best Italian wines in its day.

The name almost disappeared into the annals of history, but re-emerged in the 19th century. In the 1960s, a handful of producers around Milazzo began to bottle some of their wines with the name “Mamertino”. The DOC was approved in 2004.

46
Q

Name the appellations of Western Sicilia (Val di Mazara).

A
  • Marsala DOC
  • Alcamo DOC
  • Monreale DOC
  • Contessa Entellina DOC
  • Menfi DOC
  • Contea di Sclafani (Valledolmo-Contea di Sclafani) DOC

Minor appellations:
* Salaparuta DOC
* Santa Margherita di Belice DOC
* Sambuca di Scilia DOC
* Sciacca DOC

47
Q

Which area of the island of Sicilia is the most productive for winemaking?

A

Western Sicilia; it is one of the most densely planted in all of Italy. This is largely due to the Marsala DOC.

48
Q

Where is Marsala DOC located?

A

This coastal town is on Sicilia’s western tip.
The DOC area roughly corresponds to the entire western corner of the island.

49
Q

When was the Marsala DOC created?

A

1969

But it was strictly modified in 1984.

50
Q

How is the quality of Marsala DOC wines produced today?

A

The majority of production is focused on the low-end market with basic products dedicated to the food industry.
The best examples remain largely unfamiliar to most consumers. But, a few quality producers such as Florio and Marco de Bartoli, continue to prove that Marsala can stand among the world’s greatest fortified wines.

51
Q

Where are the vineyards of Marsala DOC planted?

A

On flat coastal areas on low-elevation hills (160-1,000ft/50-300m) located inland.

52
Q

What soil types are found in Marsala DOC?

A

Mostly calcareous; however due to the large size of the appellation there is some diversity.

53
Q

What is the climate in Marsala DOC?

A

Fully Mediterranean.

  • warm to hot summers
  • mild winters

This area is one of the driest and warmest of Sicilia.

54
Q

What grapes are used to produce Marsala DOC?

A

Classic Marsala is essentially a white fortified wine produced from white grapes. The grape varieties allowed are:
* Grillo: considered the most important Marsala grape from a quality standpoint. It enhances texture & aroma and develops high sugar levels, particularly when trained with alberello. The best versions of Marsala are based on Grillo.
* Catarratto: traditional for Marsala production. Favoured due to its higher yields. These wines are lower in alcohol than Grillo, requiring more alcohol during fortification. This grape has a tendency to oxidize quickly, adding oxidative aomas and darker pigmentation.
* Inzolia: was widely used for Marsala before plantings were ravaged by oidium in the mid-19th C.. It contributes perfume.
* Damaschino: plays a very minor role and is the least used white grape. Its former popularity in the post-phylloxera era was mainly linked to its high yields.

55
Q

Which red varieties are used to produce the less common rubino (ruby) Marsala?

A
  • Nero d’Avola
  • Perricone
  • Nerello Mascalese
56
Q

What factors determine the style of Marsala?

A
  • what is added to the wine
  • how the wine is aged
57
Q

Name the different styles of Marsala.

A
  • Marsala Vergine

Marsala conciati (treated):
* Marsala Fine
* Marsala Superiore

58
Q

What is Concia?

A

This is the process of adding grape spirit (and/or ethyl alcohol), mosto cotto (cooked grape must), sifone (fortified grape must) and mosto concentrato (concentrated grape must) to the base wine.
This process is used in the production of Marsala Fine & Marsala Superior, which are considered Marsala ‘conciati’.
The exact combination varies from producer to producer, but the admixing is regulated by the disciplinare.

59
Q

What factors make a wine a Marsala Vergine wine?

A
  • base wine vinified from white grapes only
  • wine is fortified by adding grape spirit (acquavite) and/or ethyl alcohol. No other additions may be made
  • Matured in partially filled oak or cherry barrels
  • Min. 5 years aging
  • final wine must have less than 4% residual sugar and a final alcohol content of at least 18% abv
  • riserva (stravecchio) wines must be matured min. 10 years in wood barrels
  • both versions can carry the vintage year on labels
  • Vergine can be replaced by the traditional term “Soleras” on the label
  • accounts for a tiny proportion of production but it is considered the most authentic and complex style of Marsala
60
Q

What makes a wine a Marsala Superiore?

A
  • Marsala conciato (treated)
  • min. 2 years maturation in wood barrels
  • min. final alcohol content of 18% abv
  • riserva aged min. 4 years in wood
  • vintage may appear on labels
  • accounts for approx. 20% of total Marsal production
  • some of the finest examples of Marsala are made within this category, particularly the riservas
61
Q

What makes a wine a Marsala Fine?

A
  • Marsala conciato (treated)
  • min. 1 year maturation (with 8 months in wood)
  • min. 17.5% abv
  • produced and druck as aperitif or after-dinner wine; the majority of it is intended as a cooking ingredient and sold to the food industry
  • accounts for approx. 80% of total Marsala production
62
Q

What can appear on the label of Marsala based on the colour?

A
  • oro (gold)
  • ambra (amber)
  • rubino (ruby)
63
Q

What can appear on the label of Marsala based on residual sugar?

A
  • secco (dry)
  • semisecco (semi-dry)
  • dolce (sweet)
64
Q

Where is Alcamo DOC located?

A

This appellation is lies on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea, situated to the east of Marsala in Northwestern Sicilia.
It covers an area traditionally known for the production of white wines based on Catarratto.

65
Q

What grapes are used to produce wines in Alcamo DOC?

A

Alcamo Bianco (primary wine):
* min. 60% Catarratto

Alcamo Bianco Classico:
* min. 80% Catarratto
* grapes grown in historic area

Red wines from:
* Nero d’Avola

66
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Alcamo DOC?

A
  • spumante
  • bianco
  • bianco classico
  • rosato
  • rosso
  • rosso riserva
  • vendemmia tardiva
  • novello
  • varietal
67
Q

What grapes and wine styles are produced in Monreale DOC?

A

A multitude of wines and wine styles are allowed. Among the most distinctive are varietal wines made from:
* Nero d’Avola
* Perricone
* Syrah

68
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Monreale DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosso
  • rosato
  • bianco superiore
  • rosso riserva
  • vendemmia tardiva
  • novello
  • varietal
69
Q

The Contessa Entellina DOC has become particularly well-known thanks to which producer?

A

Donnafugata

70
Q

What grapes are used to produce wines in Contessa Entellina DOC?

A

Contessa Entellina Rossa:
* Nero d’Avola
* Syrah

Contessa Entellina Bianco:
* Inzolia

71
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Contessa Entellina DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosato
  • rosso
  • rosso riserva
  • vendemmia tardiva
  • varietal
72
Q

Menfi DOC is home to Sicilia’s largest grape grower and wine producer? Who is it?

A

The cooperative Settesoli; a model of quality among cooperatives.

Settesoli was critical to the advancement of viticulture & quality winemaking in Sicilia thanks to the experimental plantings of native and international grapes carried out in the 1980s in collaboration with the IRVV.

73
Q

Which producer further enhanced the reputation of Menfi DOC for winegrowing in the 1990s?

A

Planeta; who established their first winery in this area.

74
Q

When was Menfi DOC approved as a new disciplinaire?

A

2016

75
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Menfi DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosato
  • rosso
  • spumante
  • vendemmia tardiva
  • varietal
76
Q

Where is Contea di Sclafani DOC located?

A

This appellation lies in a central area of Sicilia, situated south-west of the Madonie mountain range.

There are only a handful of producers in this area, yet they are important and quality-focused.

77
Q

Who is among the most prestigious wine producers in Contea di Sclafani DOC?

A

Tasca d’Almerita

It is also among the most prestigious wines of Sicilia.

78
Q

What is the climate in Contea di Sclafani DOC?

A

Continental influences due to:
* distance from the sea
* altitude
* mountainous topography

The area has more “marginal” growing conditions by Sicilian standards.

79
Q

What soil types are found in Contea di Sclafani DOC?

A

Lower-elevation hills and valleys are mainly composed of clay and sand with marine sediments.
Higher altitude areas tend to have more sandstone, marl and limestone.

80
Q

Name the principal varieties of Contea di Sclafani DOC as modified by the disciplinare in 2016/

A
  • Nero d’Avola
  • Perricone
  • Catarratto

These 3 grapes are considered traditional and are known to perform well in this area.

81
Q

Which wines are the only ones permitted in Contea di Sclafani DOC?

A
  • Contea di Sclafani Rosso
  • Contea di Sclafani Bianco
82
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Contea di Sclafani DOC?

A
  • bianco
  • rosso
  • riserva
  • vendemmia tardiva
83
Q

How are wines from the minor appellations of Western Sicilia usually labeled?

A

Although producers do own vineyards in or source grapes from these winegrowing areas, the DOCs are rarely seen on labels.
Most producers prefer to use better-known designation such as:
* Sicilia DOC
* Terre Siciliane IGT

84
Q

What grapes and wine styles are produced in the minor appellations of Western Sicilia?

A

There are a plethora of different styles from native and international grapes produced by the small DOCs on Sicilia’s southwestern coast.
* Salaparuta DOC
* Santa Margherita di Belice DOC
* Sambuca di Sicilia DOC
* Sciacca DOC

Two minor but geographically large appellations on Sicilia’s western coast produce a wide range of styles from native and traditional grapes.
* Erice DOC
* Delia Nivolelli DOC

Italian Wine Scholar: Central & Southern Italy (29 decks)

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