Sicily

Question 1

What is the only DOCG in Sicily? Where is it? When was it classified DOCG?

Answer 1

Cerasuolo di Vittoria. In Southeastern Sicily. September 2005.

Question 2

What are the 4 main grapes of Sicilia Rosso and Rosato?

Answer 2

Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone (min 50%)

Question 3

What are the 2 main grapes of Vittoria?

Answer 3

Nero d’Avola (50-70% for Rosso), Frappato (30-50% for Rosso), combination of 2 min 80% for Rosato

Question 4

Pinot Blanc is a color mutation of what?

Answer 4

Pinot Gris

Question 5

Who is the most well-regarded Marsala producer?

Answer 5

Marco de Bortoli

Question 6

Who are the most well-regarded producers of wine from Vittoria/Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Answer 6

COS, Le Filigare, Vall dell’Acate

Question 7

Who is possibly the most well-regarded Sicily IGT producer?

Answer 7

Passopisicaro

Question 8

There is evidence of vine training and wine product on Sicily’s coasts from what 2 civilizations? Where?

Answer 8

Phoenicians - West Coast

Greeks - East Coast

Question 9

What currently are the two most common types of vine training in Sicily?

What other kind is waning in use?

Answer 9

Tendone & Guyot

Goblet

Question 10

What is Muscat of Alexandria known as in Sicily?

Answer 10

Zibibbo

Question 11

Mazuelo is called what in Sicily?

Answer 11

Carignano

Question 12

What are the viticultural characteristics of Nero d’Avola?

Answer 12

Vigorous, susceptible to powdery mildew. Mid ripening but likes the heat.

Question 13

What was the first large-production brand out of Sicily? When? Who produced it?

Answer 13

Corvo, 1876, Edoardo Alliata

Question 14

What is terre forti?

Answer 14

The low southern slopes of Etna, where strong, full-bodied wines were made.

Question 15

In the late 18th Century, who landed and ultimately jumpstarted Britain as an export Marsala market? What was initial intent in coming there?

Answer 15

John Woodhouse - to increase exports of sodium carbonate, for glass and soap.

Question 16

What is a common synonym for Nero d’Avola?

Answer 16

Calabrese

Question 17

What are the 2 grapes of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Answer 17

Nero d’Avola (50-70%), Frappato (30-50%)

Question 18

What is the minimum alcohol of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Answer 18

13%

Question 19

What are the principal soils of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Answer 19

Iron-rich clay over limestone, with more sand to the east and south.

Question 20

How many DOCs are in Sicily?

Answer 20

23

Question 21

Who “discovered” Marsala? When?

Answer 21

John Woodhouse in 1773

Question 22

What is the most heavily planted grape of Sicily?

Answer 22

Catarratto

Question 23

What is Sicily’s most widely planted red grape?

Answer 23

Nero d’Avola

Question 24

What are the 3 denominaziones of Marsala, and what do they mean?

Answer 24

Oro - Golden Color
Ambra - Amber Color
Rubino - Ruby Color

Question 25

What are the 4 grapes of Marsala Oro/Ambra?

Answer 25

Grillo, Ansonica, Catarrato, Damaschino

Question 26

What are the 3 main grapes of Marsala Rubino?

Answer 26

Perricone, Calabrese, Nerello Mascalese

Question 27

What is the minimum alcohol level for Marsala (natural)? After fortification? What about Superiore, Vergine, Solera, Riserva?

Answer 27

12% 17% 18%

Question 28

What is the maximum sugar level of Marsala Secco?

Answer 28

40 grams/liter

Question 29

What is the RS range of Semisecco Marsala?

Answer 29

40-100 g/l

Question 30

What is the minimum sugar level of Marsala dolce?

Answer 30

100 g/l

Question 31

What is the aging requirement for Fine Marsala?

Answer 31

1 year in oak or cherry wood (first 4 months may be in alternative containers)

Question 32

What is the aging requirement of Marsala Superiore?

Answer 32

2 years in oak for cherry wood

Question 33

What is the aging requirement for Marsala Superiore riserva?

Answer 33

Minimum 4 years in oak or cherry wood

Question 34

What is the aging requirement for Marsala Vergine/Solera?

Answer 34

Minimum 5 years in oak or cherry wood

Question 35

What is the aging requirement for: - Marsala Vergine Riserva - Marsala Solera Riserva - Marsala Vergine Stravecchio - Marsala Solera Stravecchio

Answer 35

Minimum 10 years in oak or cherry wood

Question 36

What does "vecchio" mean on a Marsala label?

Answer 36

The wine has met the minimum requirments for Marsala Superiore

Question 37

What does "IP" mean?

Answer 37

Italy Particular

Question 38

What does "SOM" mean?

Answer 38

Superior Old Marsala

Question 39

What does "GD" mean?

Answer 39

Garibaldi Dolce - a reference to a 19th century general

Question 40

What does "LP" mean?

Answer 40

London Particular

Question 41

Ambra must include a minimum _____% of mosto cotto.

Answer 41

1%

Question 42

What is concia? What is it not permitted for?

Answer 42

The addition of mosto cotto. Oro or Rubino

Question 43

What is the main grape of Etna Bianco? Secondary?

Answer 43

Carricante (min 60%) | Catarratto (max 40%)

Question 44

What are the major and minor grapes of Etna Rosso and Rosato?

Answer 44

``` Nerello Mascalese (min 80%) Nerello Cappuccio (max 20%) ```

Question 45

What is ripiddu?

Answer 45

glassy black fragments from Etna

Question 46

What is terra nivura?

Answer 46

A black soil that contains more humus and retains humidity.

Question 47

What is the ponente?

Answer 47

A wind that comes through Noto

Question 48

What is Cremovo?

Answer 48

Marsala flavored by spices and fruits

Question 49

What type of wood is allowed for Marsala?

Answer 49

Oak & cherry

Question 50

What is the main difference between Vergine & Fine/Superiore Marsala?

Answer 50

Fine/Superiore can have coloring and flavoring products.

Question 51

Who helped influence widespread use of French barriques?

Answer 51

Giacomo Tachis

Question 52

What is the scirocco?

Answer 52

A warm wind from the southeast.

Question 53

Volcanic soils are poor in what macronutrients?

Answer 53

Nitrogen and Phosphate

Question 54

What 2 people are most responsible for bringing attention to wines from Etna?

Answer 54

Marc de Grazia and Andrea Frachetti

Question 55

How much of Sicilian wine production is bottled on Sicily?

Answer 55

20%

Question 56

Who are the principal bottlers of Sicilian wine?

Answer 56

Northern Italian merchants

Question 57

Which Italian family-run winery has the most acreage?

Answer 57

Zonin