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Italian Wine Scholar: Central & Southern Italy > Sicilia: Southeast, Island Appellations > Flashcards

Sicilia: Southeast, Island Appellations Flashcards

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1
Q

Name the appellations of Southeast Sicilia (Val di Noto).

A
  • Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
  • Vittoria DOC
  • Riesi DOC
  • Eloro DOC
  • Noto DOC
  • Siracusa DOC
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2
Q

What is Sicilia’s southeastern corner famous for?

A

Its unique Sicilian Baroque (Sicilia Barocca) architecture.
Several cities are listed among the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including:
* Noto
* Modica
* Siracusa
* Ragusa

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3
Q

Who is Vittoria Colonna Henriquez?

A

She was the Countess of Modica in the early 17th C. who developed the township of Vittoria by offering the first 75 settlers 2 hectares of land each - but also stipulated that one of those hectares be solely planted to vines.

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4
Q

Where is Vittoria DOC located?

A

This appellation lies in southeastern Sicilia on the coast of the Sicilian Canale. The winegrowing area lies between the sea (to the south) and Monti Iblei (to the northeast).
It covers the same area as the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG. And partially covers a small and isolated area in the middle of the Riesi DOC.

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5
Q

Which appellation in Sicilia was the first to receive DOCG status?

A

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC

At the same time, the new Vittoria DOC was created.

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6
Q

When did Cerasuolo di Vittoria earn DOC status? When was it elevated to DOCG?

A
  • DOC in 1973
  • DOCG in 2005
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7
Q

Describe the topographical terrain in Vittoria DOC.

A

The flat coastal area gives way to medium-elevation hills and a higher, inland plateau.

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8
Q

What is the climate in Vittoria DOC?

A

Mediterranean
* hot and arid
* under extreme conditions irrigation is permitted

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9
Q

What types of soils are found in Vittoria DOC?

A

The soils close to the sea have high sand content atop limstone bedrock.
Soils inland and at higher elevation tend to be more calcareous-clay.
The appellation is also known for pockets of reddish, iron-rich sandy-calcareous top-soil known as terra rossa.

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10
Q

What type of soil is considered ideal for Frappato?

A

Terra rossa

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11
Q

What are the requirements for Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC wines?

A
  • 50-70% Nero d’Avola
  • 30-50% Frappato
  • min. 13% abv
  • cannot be released before June 1st of the year following harvest
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12
Q

What is the meaning behind the word “Cerasuolo” in the context of wines produced in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC?

A

The name is derived from the word cherry (“cerasa” in Sicilian). The term refers to the bright cherry colour of these red wines.

Similar to Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, which is a rose.

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13
Q

What are the characteristics of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOC wines?

A

Usually described as pleasantly juicy and floral. However character depends on the proportions of grapes used in the blend.
Wines made from high proportions of Frappato tend to be lighter and more fragrant.
When Nero d’Avola dominates, the wines are deeper in colour, richer and fuller, but less aromatic.

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14
Q

Which area in Vittoria is consider one of the best zones for Nero d’Avola?

A

A small and isolated area in the middle of the Riesi DOC.

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15
Q

What are the requirements of Classico wines produced under Vittoria DOC?

A

Grapes must be grown in the original winegrowing zone delimited in 1973 when the DOC was established. It includes the majority of the DOCG area.
Classico wines cannot be released before March 31 of the second year following harvest.

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16
Q

What wines/grapes does Vittoria DOC focus on?

A

Varietal wines:
* Frappato
* Nero d’Avola
* Inzolia

Vittoria Rosso:
* based on the same blend as the DOCG but with less stringent production requirements

Novello:
* Nero d’Avola
* and/or Frappato

Note: some of the most distinctive Frappato varietal wines are produced under this appellation.

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17
Q

What grapes are permitted in Riesi DOC?

A

This appellation allows for a wide range of wines and wine styles from several native and international grapes such as:
* Nero d’Avola
* Inzolia
* Chardonnay
* Cabernet Sauvignon
* Merlot
* Syrah

Production is small.

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18
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Riesi DOC?

A
  • spumante
  • bianco
  • rosato
  • rosso
  • novello
  • vendemmia tardiva
  • superiore
  • superiore riserva
  • varietal
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19
Q

Where is Elora DOC located?

A

This appellation is in the southeastern corner of Sicilia, sandwiched between the Ionian Sea to the east and the Sicilian Channel to the south.

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20
Q

Which grape varieties are the focus in Elora DOC?

A

This appellation focuses on native red grapes and is considered the traditional home of Nero d’Avola.

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21
Q

In the second half of the 19th C., the area of Elora DOC became well known for the production of which wine?

A

Pachino; red vino da taglio made from Nero d’Avola.
These wines were deep, concentrated and high in alcohol. They became quite sought-after for blending purposes and were shipped in large quantities to northern Italy and France.
This wine became synonymous for all Nero d’Avola-based red wines produced in the entire Eloro area.

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22
Q

Where in Elora DOC are the vineyards planted?

A

On the flat coast and on low-elevation hills.

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23
Q

What is the climate in Elora DOC?

A

Mediterranean
* warm & arid summers
* mild winters
* one of the warmest/driest areas of Sicilia
* Irrigation is permitted under extreme drought conditions

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24
Q

What soil types are found in Elora DOC?

A

Most soils are dark and calcareous with some pockets higher in clay content.

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25
Q

How are vineyards trained in Elora DOC?

A

Mostly with alberello.

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26
Q

What is the most important wine produced in Elora DOC?

A

Varietal Nero d’Avola
* min. 90% Nero d’Avola

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27
Q

What is Elora Pachino?

A

A specific sub-zone of Elora DOC for Nero d’Avola hailing from the Pachino area.

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28
Q

What are the grape requirements of Elora Pachino?

A
  • min. 80% Nero d’Avola
  • max. 20% Frappato and/or Pignatello (Perricone); optional

These wines have slightly stricter production rules than wines made in other areas of the Elora DOC.

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29
Q

What are the aging requirements for riserva wines from Elora Pachino?

A
  • min. 2 years aging
  • min. 6 months in oak
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30
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Elora DOC?

A
  • riserva
  • rosato
  • varietal
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31
Q

Where is Noto DOC located?

A

The famous baroque city of Noto is situated southwest of Siracusa. The appellation surrounds the city of Noto and lies on the coast of the Ionian Sea.

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32
Q

What wines was Noto DOC historically known for?

A

Nero d’Avola-based vino da taglio during the 19th C..

In the early 20th C., this area also became known for Moscato Bianco-based white wines.

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33
Q

What are the grapes requirements for wines based on Moscato Bianco in Noto DOC?

A

100% Moscato Bianco

Labeled: Moscato di Noto.

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34
Q

What is the primary grapes used in red wine production in Noto DOC?

A

Nero d’Avola

35
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Noto DOC?

A
  • Moscato di Noto spumante
  • Moscato di Noto passito
  • Moscato di Noto liquoroso
  • rosso
  • varietal Nero d’Avola
  • varietal Moscato Bianco (di Noto)
36
Q

What is the importance of Siracusa?

A

This ancient city was founded by Greek settlers in the 8th C. BC and is among the most important and influential cities of Magan Graecia (Great Greece).
The famous inventor/mathematician Archimedes was born here.
Today, it remains a jewel of history, culture, art and architecture. It is listed amont the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

37
Q

What wines is Siracusa DOC known for?

A

Sweet wines based on:
* Moscato Bianco

Red wines based on:
* Nero d’Avola

38
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Siracusa DOC?

A
  • Moscato
  • Moscato spumante
  • passito
  • rosso
  • bianco
  • varietal
39
Q

Name the appellations of the Sicilian Islands.

A
  • Pantelleria DOC
  • Malvasia delle Lipari DOC
40
Q

Which of Sicilia’s islands is the largest?

A

Pantelleria

41
Q

Where is Pantelleria DOC located?

A

It lies in the Sicilian Channel to the southwest of Sicilia and is closer to North Africa (Tunisia) than to Sicilia.

42
Q

What is Pantelleria’s nickname?

A

“Perla Nera” (black pearl); because of its dark, greenish volcanic rocks.

43
Q

How is a strong Arab influence in Pantelleria still evident today?

A
  • in the local dialect
  • the names of the contrade
  • the name of the principal grape: Zibbibo (Muscat of Alexandria)
44
Q

The island of Pantelleria has had what long-standing tradition?

A

Air-drying Zibibbo grapes to produce:
* raisins
* sweet passito wines.

45
Q

Over the centuries, Pantelleria became an important production center for what products?

A

Raisins and table grapes.

46
Q

When/why did farmers in Pantelleria shift their focus from raisins to sweet wine production?

A

In the end of the 1960s, when the island faced competition from other Mediterranean countries and consumer preferences shifted to seedless grapes.

47
Q

When did Moscato di Pantelleria receive DOC status?

A

1971

It was among Sicilia’s first DOCs.

48
Q

When was the appellation name changed to Pantelleria DOC?

A

2013

49
Q

What wines are included under the umbrella of Pantelleria DOC?

A

The flagship wines:
* Passito di Pantellaria
* Moscato di Pantellaria

And 6 other types of Zibibbo-based wines.

50
Q

Describe the topographical landscape of Pantelleria DOC.

A

This island has very jagged and rocky contours. Blocks of lava are commonplace and contribute to a unique, almost lunar landscape.
Montagna Grande corresponds to the island’s principal volcanic crater and lies at its center.
There is still some mild volcanic activity in the form of hot springs and steam and gas emissions.

51
Q

What is the name of Pantelleria’s highest mountain peak?

A

Montagna Grande
It reaches 2,600ft/800m in elevation.

52
Q

What crops are grown on the island of Pantelleria?

A
  • capers
  • grapevine

These are the only viable crops on this island.

53
Q

Describe the vineyards in Pantelleria DOC.

A

Due to the lack of cultivable land, farmers have built terraces sustained by dry, volcanic rock retaining walls to hold back Panterlleria’s well-drained soils.
The irregular and rough terrain makes viticulture hard and labor-intensive.

54
Q

What types of soils are found in Pantelleria DOC?

A
  • Sand
  • Porous volcanic rock
55
Q

What is the climate in Pantelleria DOC?

A

Mediterranean
* hot, arid summers
* mild winters

56
Q

What challenge do farmers have in Pantelleria DOC?

A

Drought is a serious problem. Irrigation is allowed when it occurs, but there is often no water to do the task.

The island is buffeted by air currents; winds blow for more than 300 days per year. The strong winds (particularly the hot Sirocco) can dehydrated the vines, interrupt ripening and seriously reduce the crop.

57
Q

How do farmers in Pantelleria DOC protect the vines from the harsh winds?

A

Vines are sheltered by traditionally planting vines in conche (shallow holes), training the plants very low to the ground in this local version of the alberello.
This system protects the vines from wines and collects moisture.

58
Q

What is the benefit of the alberello training system in Pantelleria DOC?

A
  • yields are very low
  • grapes reach high sugar levels

Note: many vineyard have vines well over 100 years old.

59
Q

What is Pantelleria’s renowned wine?

A

Passito di Pantelleria

60
Q

How are the grapes for Passito di Pantelleria treated and when are they picked?

A

From air-dried Zibbibo grapes.
Grapes are hand-harvested around the middle of August and then, traditionally, whole bunches are laid out in the sun. The fruit is placed on mats or graticci within stenditoi (plural of stenditoio), open-air spots often enclosed by stone walls.

Some producers carry out the appassimento under plastic tunnels or hoop frames that are open on the sides (similar to greenhouses) to protect the grapes from bad weather and speed up the drying process.

The appassimento concentrates sugars and aromas and lasts for 1-4 weeks. Depending on the duration, sugar concentration increases from 25% to more than 50%.

61
Q

When is the second harvest of grapes for Passito di Pantelleria?

A

In September.

62
Q

How is Passito di Pantelleria vinified?

A

The grapes from the second harvest are immediately vinified after picking in September. During fermentation of the freshly picked grapes, air-dried grapes (destemmed by hand) are added at different intervals to the must.

63
Q

What are the characteristics of Passito di Pantelleria wines?

A

They are golden to amber in colour, luscious, dense and complex with intense aromas of ripe stone fruit, orange jam, tropical fruit, dried fruit (raisins, figs, dates and apricots), candied fruit, honey and spice.

These are among the greatest Italian dessert wines.

64
Q

What type of grapes are used to produce Moscato di Panterlleria wines?

A

Freshly harvested Zibibbo grapes.

Some producers harvest Zibibbo when the grapes have over ripened on the vine.

65
Q

How does Moscato di Panterlleria compare to Passito di Panterlleria?

A

Moscato di Panterlleria is yellow in colour with golden highlights, lighter, fresher, and notably less sweet, less alcoholic and less viscous.

66
Q

What styles of wine are produced in Panterlleria DOC?

A
  • Moscato di Panterlleria
  • Passito di Panterlleria
  • Moscato spumante
  • Moscato dorato
  • Moscato liquoroso
  • passito liquoroso
  • Zibibbo dolce
  • bianco
  • frizzante
67
Q

Where is Malvasia delle Lipari DOC located?

A

This appellation encompasses the Aeolian Islands situated roughly 30mi/50km off Sicilia’s northeastern coast.

It is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites and is a popular tourist destination.

68
Q

What grape are the wines of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC based on?

A

Malvasia di Lipari

This DOC produces sweet wines.

69
Q

What is another name for the Aeolian Islands?

A

The Lipari Islands; Lipari is the largest, most populated and most famous island of the archipelago, hence the name of the DOC: Malvasia delle Lipari (Malvasia delle Lipari Islands

70
Q

Who is Carlo Hauner?

A

A producer who assisted in renewing consumer interests in the sweet wines of Malvasia delle Lipari as of the 1980s.

Previously, production remained small, despite receiving DOC status in the early 1970s.

71
Q

What makes up the Aeolian Archipelago?

A

It is formed by seven main volcanic islands and and a few islets.
* Stromboli: still an active volcano, with only mild volcanic activity on the other islands (including Vulcano); just a few vineyards remain here
* Salina: most vineyards are here
* Lipari: vines are cultivated here; largest of the islands
* Vulcano: vines cultivated here
* Panarea: just a few vineyards remain here

72
Q

Where in Malvasia delle Lipari DOC are vineyards planted?

A

Due to the mountainous landscape, vineyards are planted on small plots of land in shallow, sandy soils composed of volcanic debris.

73
Q

What are the grape requirements of wines in Malvasia delle Lipari DOC?

A
  • max. 95% Malvasia delle Lipari
  • 5-8% Corinto Nero

In practice most wines are:
* 95% Malvasia delle Lipari
* 5% Corinto Nero

74
Q

Which grape variety is Corinto Nero related to?

A

Recent studies have revealed the grape is related to Sangiovese and is considered either a mutation or a biotype of that grape.

75
Q

What is the most renowned and classic wine made in Malvasia delle Lipari DOC?

A

Malvasia delle Lipari Passito

76
Q

What kind of grapes are used to produce Malvasia delle Lipari Passito?

A

Late-harvest grapes that go through additional appassimento on cane mats in the sun for 1-3 weeks.

77
Q

How much residual sugar is in a finished Malvasia delle Lipari Passito wine?

A

The finished wine must contain:
* min. 6% or 60g/l of residual sugar

78
Q

What kind of grapes are used to produce wines simply labeled Malvasia delle Lipari DOC?

A

Late-harvested grapes that do not go through the appassimento process.

79
Q

What wine styles are produced in Malvasia delle Lipari DOC?

A
  • sweet (dolce)
  • passito
  • liquo**roso
80
Q

What was quantitatively the most important geographic designation for Sicilia up until 2011?

A

The regional Sicilia IGT; This IGT represented not only bullk wine, but also the majority of quality-wine produced on the island. Some of Sicilia’s top wines were labeled with this designation.

81
Q

When was the Sicilia DOC created?

A

This regional appellation replaced the Sicilia IGT as of the 2012 harvest.
The DOC has slightly more stringent production rules than the old IGT and has forbidden the bottling of Sicilian wine outside the region, an option preciously permitted.

82
Q

What styles of wine are produced under Sicilia DOC?

A

A wide range of wines and wine styles are permitted from virtually all the grape varieties permitted in the region.
Among the most important are varietal:
* Nero d’Avola
* Grillo
* Catarratto
* Syrah

83
Q

What IGT has replaced the old Sicilia IGT?

A

Terre Siciliane IGT
This has the same level of flexibility and the same list of grapes with one significant change. Varietal Nero d’Avola and Grillo are not permitted under this IGT.

Some high-quality producers still opt to use this IGT designation despite it ranking below DOC.

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

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