South Italy Flashcards
Where does Campania lie? Where are the best vineyards located?
South of Lazio, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Apennines, offering a wide selection of suitable sites.
Most viticulture is on slopes and at altitudes of 200-600m with a range of soils.
What is Falernian wine?
A wine of unknown varieties found in Roman times from northern Campania, famous for its quality and ability to age.
What wine is Campania now known for?
It’s three local white varieties: Falanghina, Greco and Fiano, and for the black variety Aglianico, especially from Taurasi DOCG.
Where is Basilicata located? What wine makes up the majority of production?
Between Campania and Puglia.
IGT or ‘simple’ wine.
What is the most important denomination of Basilicata? What style of wine is made here?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC, to the east of Monte Vulture, an inactive volcano. Potentially high-quality, structured red wine is made from Aglianico
What other styles of wine is Basilicata known for?
Small amounts of wine from other varieties (eg Italica) are made, mainly for local consumption.
Which variety makes up 1/3rd of plantings in Basilicata?
Aglianico.
Where is Puglia located?
The ‘heel’ of Italy, south of Abruzzo and surrounded on 3 sides by the Mediterranean Sea.
Why is Puglia well suited to volume production?
It has a hot Mediterranean climate with moderating sea breezes.
Low rainfall reduces the risk of fungal diseases, soils are fertile and irrigation is permitted.
Where did a lot of wine from Puglia historically end up?
Exported to cooler areas of Italy and beyond to add alcohol and body to wines.
What modern day wines are made in Puglia?
Much inexpensive wine, but a few growers are seeking to raise quality and the prices received.
A range of mainly black Italian and local grape varieties are grown.
When does Sicilys winemaking date back to? What is it known for producing today?
Ancient Greek settlements.
Both large volumes of bulk wine and distinctive PDO wines.
What varieties is Sicily known for producing today?
Although it’s reputation for rising quality was initially based around international varieties, it is now equally known for its local varieties, especially Nero d’Avola and Nerello Mascalese.
Which varieties dominate plantings in Sicily today?
The white Catarratto and black Nero d’Avola.
Why does Sardinia have a complex history? What are the key varieties grown here?
The fact that It’s two most important varieties (Cannonau and Carignano (Grenache Noir and Carignan)) are widely grown in warmer parts of southern Europe.
Vermentino is the most important white variety.
