Sicily Flashcards
What is the only DOCG in Sicily? Where is it? When was it classified DOCG?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria. In Southeastern Sicily. September 2005.
What are the 4 main grapes of Sicilia Rosso and Rosato?
Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Nerello Mascalese, Perricone (min 50%)
What are the 2 main grapes of Vittoria?
Nero d’Avola (50-70% for Rosso), Frappato (30-50% for Rosso), combination of 2 min 80% for Rosato
Pinot Blanc is a color mutation of what?
Pinot Gris
Who is the most well-regarded Marsala producer?
Marco de Bortoli
Who are the most well-regarded producers of wine from Vittoria/Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
COS, Le Filigare, Vall dell’Acate
Who is possibly the most well-regarded Sicily IGT producer?
Passopisicaro
There is evidence of vine training and wine product on Sicily’s coasts from what 2 civilizations? Where?
Phoenicians - West Coast
Greeks - East Coast
What currently are the two most common types of vine training in Sicily?
What other kind is waning in use?
Tendone & Guyot
Goblet
What is Muscat of Alexandria known as in Sicily?
Zibibbo
Mazuelo is called what in Sicily?
Carignano
What are the viticultural characteristics of Nero d’Avola?
Vigorous, susceptible to powdery mildew. Mid ripening but likes the heat.
What was the first large-production brand out of Sicily? When? Who produced it?
Corvo, 1876, Edoardo Alliata
What is terre forti?
The low southern slopes of Etna, where strong, full-bodied wines were made.
In the late 18th Century, who landed and ultimately jumpstarted Britain as an export Marsala market? What was initial intent in coming there?
John Woodhouse - to increase exports of sodium carbonate, for glass and soap.
What is a common synonym for Nero d’Avola?
Calabrese
What are the 2 grapes of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
Nero d’Avola (50-70%), Frappato (30-50%)
What is the minimum alcohol of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
13%
What are the principal soils of Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
Iron-rich clay over limestone, with more sand to the east and south.
How many DOCs are in Sicily?
23
Who “discovered” Marsala? When?
John Woodhouse in 1773
What is the most heavily planted grape of Sicily?
Catarratto
What is Sicily’s most widely planted red grape?
Nero d’Avola
What are the 3 denominaziones of Marsala, and what do they mean?
Oro - Golden Color
Ambra - Amber Color
Rubino - Ruby Color
What are the 4 grapes of Marsala Oro/Ambra?
Grillo, Ansonica, Catarrato, Damaschino
What are the 3 main grapes of Marsala Rubino?
Perricone, Calabrese, Nerello Mascalese
What is the minimum alcohol level for Marsala (natural)?
After fortification?
What about Superiore, Vergine, Solera, Riserva?
12%
17%
18%
What is the maximum sugar level of Marsala Secco?
40 grams/liter
What is the RS range of Semisecco Marsala?
40-100 g/l
What is the minimum sugar level of Marsala dolce?
100 g/l
What is the aging requirement for Fine Marsala?
1 year in oak or cherry wood (first 4 months may be in alternative containers)
What is the aging requirement of Marsala Superiore?
2 years in oak for cherry wood
What is the aging requirement for Marsala Superiore riserva?
Minimum 4 years in oak or cherry wood
What is the aging requirement for Marsala Vergine/Solera?
Minimum 5 years in oak or cherry wood
What is the aging requirement for:
- Marsala Vergine Riserva
- Marsala Solera Riserva
- Marsala Vergine Stravecchio
- Marsala Solera Stravecchio
Minimum 10 years in oak or cherry wood
What does “vecchio” mean on a Marsala label?
The wine has met the minimum requirments for Marsala Superiore
What does “IP” mean?
Italy Particular
What does “SOM” mean?
Superior Old Marsala
What does “GD” mean?
Garibaldi Dolce - a reference to a 19th century general
What does “LP” mean?
London Particular
Ambra must include a minimum _____% of mosto cotto.
1%
What is concia?
What is it not permitted for?
The addition of mosto cotto.
Oro or Rubino
What is the main grape of Etna Bianco? Secondary?
Carricante (min 60%)
Catarratto (max 40%)
What are the major and minor grapes of Etna Rosso and Rosato?
Nerello Mascalese (min 80%) Nerello Cappuccio (max 20%)
What is ripiddu?
glassy black fragments from Etna
What is terra nivura?
A black soil that contains more humus and retains humidity.
What is the ponente?
A wind that comes through Noto
What is Cremovo?
Marsala flavored by spices and fruits
What type of wood is allowed for Marsala?
Oak & cherry
What is the main difference between Vergine & Fine/Superiore Marsala?
Fine/Superiore can have coloring and flavoring products.
Who helped influence widespread use of French barriques?
Giacomo Tachis
What is the scirocco?
A warm wind from the southeast.
Volcanic soils are poor in what macronutrients?
Nitrogen and Phosphate
What 2 people are most responsible for bringing attention to wines from Etna?
Marc de Grazia and Andrea Frachetti
How much of Sicilian wine production is bottled on Sicily?
20%
Who are the principal bottlers of Sicilian wine?
Northern Italian merchants
Which Italian family-run winery has the most acreage?
Zonin
