Southern Italy

Question 1

Name the region associated with the following DOC:

Ciro / Grottino di Roccanova / Siracusa / Irpinia

Answer 1

a) Calabria ~ b) Basilicata ~ c) Sicily ~ d) Campania ~ e) Sicily

Question 2

What is the minimum RS of Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG?

Answer 2

50 g/l min RS

Question 3

What is the minimum aging of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG? Riserva?

Answer 3

Normale: 3 years min total aging including 1 year min in wood, and 1 year min in bottle; Riserva: 5 years min total aging including 2 years min in wood, and 2 years min in bottle.

Question 4

What is the major grape varietal of Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG? Minimum amount?

Answer 4

Uva de Troia (aka: Uva Nero). 65% min.

Question 5

What styles of wine are made in Castel del Monte Bombina Nera DOCG?

Answer 5

Dry Rosato only! Max 10 g/l RS.

Question 6

What is the most planted white grape, and red grape of Sicily. Which is THE most planted grape?

Answer 6

Cattarato is the most planted white grape. Nero d’Avola is the most planted red grape. Cattarato is the most widely planted grape of all Sicily.

Question 7

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

Answer 7

The Straight of Messina.

Question 8

What two grapes must be included in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?

Answer 8

Nero d’Avola & Frappato.

Question 9

What is the major grape varietal of Etna Rosso DOC?

Answer 9

Nerello Mascalese.

Question 10

What is Zibbibo?

Answer 10

Muscat of Alexandria

Question 11

What is Calabrese?

Answer 11

Nero d’Avola

Question 12

What is a synonym for Cannonau?

Answer 12

Grenache or Garnacha

Question 13

What is Concia? Where specifically are you most likely to find it?

Answer 13

Concia is the name for the process of adding Mosto Cotto to Marsala. You are most likely to find it in Marsala Ambra. There is a 1% mandatory addition to Ambra.

Question 14

What Marsala specifically forbids Mosto Cotto?

Answer 14

Mosto Cotto may not be used in Marsala Vergine.

Question 15

What is Stravecchio?

Answer 15

A traditional term in Marsala that is used interchangeably with Riserva when used with Solera or Vergine. 10 years min aging in Oak or Cherry, 18% min ABV.

Question 16

What is the traditional barrel name of Marsala? What is its size?

Answer 16

Marsala Pipe. 423 L.

Question 17

What are the two major cities in Campagnia?

Answer 17

Naples (the Capitol). Benevento (where my family is from!)

Question 18

What DOC would you find Lacryma Christi? What does it indicate? What styles of wine can it produce?

Answer 18

It is found in the Vesuvio DOC in Campania. It is used there (loosely) instead of Superiore. Indicates a 12% min ABV. Lacryma Christi del Vesuvo DOC produces: Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, Spumante Bianco (Extra Brut Only!), and Liquorosso Bianco (secco - amabile - dolce).

Question 19

Name an important producer from Campania.

Answer 19

The 3 most well known are Mastroberardino, Fuedi di San Gregorio, and Terredorra

Question 20

What is the aging requirement for Aglianico del Taburno Riserva DOCG?

Answer 20

36 months min aging. 1 year min in wood, and 6 months min in bottle.

Question 21

What styles of wine are made in Taurasi?

Answer 21

Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Rosato. All are 85% min Aglianico.

Question 22

What are the aging requirements for Taurasi DOCG, and Taurasi Riserva DOCG?

Answer 22

Normale: 36 months min aging, 1 year in wood. Riserva: 48 months min aging. 18 months in wood.

Question 23

What styles of wine are made in Cannonau di Sardegna DOC?

Answer 23

Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Rosso Classico, Rosato, Rosso Liquoroso Secco, and Rosso Liquoroso Dolce Naturale

Question 24

What is the difference between Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Riserva and Cannonau di Sardegna DOC Classico?

Answer 24

Classico is 90% min Cannonau as oppoosed the 85% for all other styles of the DOC. Both require 2 years min aging, but Classico requires 1 year in wood, as opposed to Riserva which only requires 6 months. Asked because it is an interesting example where Classico is not a region, but a separate style, and that style is stricter than Riserva.

Question 25

Name an “important” producer of Marsala?

Answer 25

There are 3 “Important” producers: Marco di Bartali, Florio, Carlo Pellegrino (also makes a Moscato di Pantellaria!).

Question 26

Name all the sweet wine DOC of Sicily. Bonus: Name a producer for each!

Answer 26

Marsala {Bartoli, Florio, Pellegrino}, Moscato di Noto {I can’t find a producer that is available in the US…‘Fuedo Maccari Sultana’}, Siracusa {Solacium ‘by Nino Pupillo’}, Pantellaria (moscato, and passito) {Donnafugata, Carlo Pellegrino}, Malvasia delle Lipari {Carlo Hauner & Cantine Colosi}

Question 27

Where on the island of Sicily is Mount Etna?

Answer 27

It is on the far eastern part of the island.

Question 28

What wine of southern Italy was legendarily mistaken by Apollo for Ambrosia?

Answer 28

Pantellaria

Question 29

Name the grapes allowed in Marsala Rubino.

Answer 29

Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Nerello Mascalese, plus 30% max white grapes of Grillo, Inzolia, Damaschino, and Carricante.