Sicily

Question 1

What is Sicily’s most planted variety?

Answer 1

Catarrato (white)

Question 2

What is the one DOCG of Sicily?

Answer 2

Cerasuolo di Vittoria

Question 3

What are the varieties and style for Cerasuolo di Vittoria?

Answer 3

Lightly macerated, deep almost rosé style
Nero d’Avola
Frappato

Question 4

What is a synonym for Nero d’Avola?

Answer 4

Calabrese

Question 5

What is a synonym for Muscat of Alexandria in Sicily?

Answer 5

Zibibbo

Question 6

What is the name of the body of water that separates Sicily from mainland Italy?

Answer 6

Strait of Messina

Question 7

What are the main grapes for Etna DOC?

Answer 7

Bianco - Carricante

Red - Nerello Mascalese

Question 8

What are the aging requirements for Etna Spumante DOC?

Answer 8

Minimum 18 months on the lees

Question 9

Where is the island of Pantelleria and what styles of wine can be found there?

Answer 9

Near Tunisia on the African Coast (part of Sicily)

Sweet wines, either fortified or passito, from 100% Zibibbo

Question 10

When was Marsala first manufactured and by whom?

Answer 10

1773 by English Port and Sherry merchant, John Woodhouse.

Question 11

Name 3 famous producers for dry wines in Sicily

Answer 11

Benanti - Etna
Occhipinti (COS)- Sicily + Cerasuolo di Vittoria
Tornatore -Etna

Question 12

What are the important varieties for Marsala?

Answer 12

White: 
Grillo (preferred)
Catarratto (workhorse)
Red:
Nerello Mascalese
Nero d'Avola (Calabrese)
Perricone

Question 13

What is “concia” in relation to Marsala? Which style does this relate to?

Answer 13

“Concia” is the practice of adding “mosto cotto” (cooked must) to adjust both sweetness and color.
This practice is only allowed for “Ambra” which is considered a lower quality style.
“Sifone” (mistelle) is the preferred sweetening agent.

Question 14

What are the 3 sweetness levels for Marsala DOC?

Answer 14

Secco - Max 40 g/l RS
Semi-Secco - 40-100 g/l RS
Dolce - Min 100 g/l RS

Question 15

Define the aging classifications for Marsala DOC

Answer 15

Fine - 1 year
Superiore - 2 years
Superiore Riserva - 4 years
Vergine/Solera - 5 years
Vergine Stravecchio - 10 years

Question 16

How is Vergine Marsala different than other aged classifications in regards to winemaking practices?

Answer 16

Vergine Marsala is fortified after fermentation and can therefor only be secco in style.

Question 17

Name a producer of Marsala

Answer 17

Marco de Bartoli

Question 18

What are the 3 colors of Marsala?

Answer 18

Marsala Oro
Marsala Ambra
Marsala Rubino (for red grapes)