Southern Italy Flashcards
What are the major grape varietals of Molise?
Trebbiano, Montepulciano, Aglianico
Where is Biferno DOC?
Molise, there are no DOCGs here but 4 DOCs: Biferno Molise Tintillia del Molise Pentro di Isernia
Where did the name Marches come from?
From the Roman times, “Marca” in Latin referee to the Frontier region.
What are the synonyms for all of these grapes that are called Trebbiano?
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano di Soave
Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo= Bombino Bianco
Trebbiano di Soave= Verdicchio
Trebbiano Toscano = Ugni Blanc
What was Falernian?
Falernian was the most prominent wine of the ancient world. It came from Campania.
What are the main grapes of Campania?
Aglianico, Primitivo, Falanghina, Greco, Fiano, Piedirosso
What is the soil type of Taurasi DOCG?
This is in Campania. The soils here are calcareous marl, volcanic deposits and limestone. This combined with elevation create a very structured and age worthy style of Aglianico.
Which DOCG of Campania has the biggest production?
Greco di Tufo is the largest producing DOCG at 21,300 hl. The others are as follows:
Taurasi: 3,645 hl
Aglianico del Taburno: 1,800hl
Fiano di Avellino: 12,790
Where does Aglianico del Taburno get it’s name from?
From Mount Taburno which is an ancient volcano. This has created volcanic soils in the region.
Describe the climate and terroir of Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
This region is directly above Greco di Tufo in northern Campania. Mount Taburno creates elevation in the region from 984-1312 feet. There are mountain breezes here, the region is closer to the Mediterranean Sea than the Adriatic side.
What are the aging requirements for Algianico del Taburno DOCG?
Rosato, Rosso, Normale and Riserva styles are permitted here from 85% Aglianico plus max combined 15% other non-aromatic grapes.
Rosso and Rosato must age 2 years from November 1, and Rosso Riserva must age 3 years from November 1.
What styles are permitted to be made in Greco di Tufo DOCG?
Bianco, Normale, Spumante, Metodo Classico.
Minimum 85% Greco, plus a max of 15% Coda di Volpe
Where did the name “Greco di Tufo” come from?
Greco- refers to the Greeks from Thessaly who introduced the grape to the region. Tufo is the village and the soil type found in the region.
What is the elevation range for Greco di Tufo DOCG?
This region is directly below Aglianico del Taburno in Northern Campania. The elevation ranges from 1310-1640 feet.
How long must the Spumante version of Greco di Tufo be aged before release?
36 months in bottle from November 1.
Describe the climate and soil type of Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Fiano di Avellino is within the Taurasi boundaries, and close to the city of Salerno. There is a mild micro climate here with diurnal temperature variations. The elevation is the same as Taurasi, which is around 1300 feet. The soils are volcanic, and calcareous.
What is a synonym for Greco?
Asprinio
What is “Alberata”
A training method found in Campania where vines are trained up poplar trees. “Vigneti ad alberata”
Name the two white only DOCS and the one red only DOC in Campania
White only:
Falanghina del Sannio
Aversa
Red only:
Casavecchiadi Pontelatone
Name three producers of Greco di Tufo/Fiano di Avellino
Feudi San Gregorio
Mastroberardino
Quintodecimo
What style of wine is made in Aversa DOC and what is unique about that region?
This is a white wine only DOC in Campania. The whites are made from Asprinio (Greco). It is very flat, near Naples, 60m is the highest point. Sparkling wines must be 100% Aprinio and still wines 85%. Vines are trained on poles or up polar trees 10m up. “Vigneti ad Alberata”
Define the term “uvaggio”
Italian term for encepagement
Where is Campi Flegrei DOC and describe why this region is special.
In Campania. This is a volcanic area on the Amalfi coast. Falernian wine was made here from Falanghina. There is a special training system used here “alla putuelana.” This region has always been free from phylloxera. Whites from Falanghina and reds from Piedirosso. La Sibilla is a producer based here.
Wines from Vesuvio can also be labeled how?
“Lacryma Christi,” tears of Christ. Legend is that the heavens opened up over Campania and Jesus wept his tears over the region which is where the vineyards are.
Where is Cilento DOC?
In Campania. Produces red, white and rose wines from Aglianico, Piedirosso, Primitivo, Barbera and Sangiovese. The whites are Fiano, Trebbiano, Greco, Malvasia Bianca
Who originated winemaking in Basilicata?
The seafaring Greeks 1,000 years ago were responsible for winemaking here rather than much of Southern Italy that was influenced by Romans. The Byzantines gave the region its name, it came from “Basilikos,” which means “Prince and Governor.”
Campania is directly north, and Puglia and Calabria to the south.
Describe the topography of Basilicata
47% is covered by mountains. There are three main mountains here, Monte Pollino, Monte Sirino, Monte Vulture. Most of the vineyards are in the fertile Vulture Massif around the extinct volcano. The Balkan breezes moderate temperatures, and the Appenines create a barrier.
Describe the Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG
This is the sole DOCG in Basilicata. It is required to be 100% Aglianico and be 13.5% alcohol. The best sites are on the Monte Vulture, and have rich, free-draining volcanic soils. The vineyards here get more sunlight hours per year than almost any in the world. The best sites are 1,000-1,650 feet up. The required elevation range is a minimum 600-2100 feet. This is generally higher than the Taurasi region, or the Aglianico del Taburno DOCGS.
Name the region where these 4 regions are DOCS Aglianico del Vulture Grottino di Roccanova Matera Terra dell Alta Vald’Agri
Basilicata- these are the only 4 DOCs in the region. There is one DOCG.
What are the aging requirements for Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?
Superiore- 12 months in barrel, 12 months in bottle sold after 11/1 the 3rd year.
Riserva- 2 years in barrel, 2 years in bottle, released after 11.1 the 5th year after harvest.
Name some producers of Aglianico del Vulture
Elena Fucci
Cantina di Verosa
Calabrese is also known by this name
Nero d’Avola
What is the “Albarello basso” training method used in Calabria?
This is bush training.
Where is Ciro Rosso Riserva DOC found and what is the required blend?
This is the major DOC in Calabria. Must be 80% Gaglioppo, 20% other red grapes. Bianco is 80% Greco with 20% other whites.
What does the term “Il mezzogiorno “ refer to?
Translates to “the midday,” and references Italy’s southern half’s persistent heat.
What style of wine is made in Greco di Bianco DOC and where is this region found?
This DOC is at the very tip of the boot of Italy in Calabria. It is a dried grape wine, sweet- very rare.
Describe the topography of Calabria
49% of Calabria is mountainous. There are 3 mountain ranges, Pollino, La Sila, Aspromonte. The highest point here is 6,325 feet. The lowest slopes are where the vineyards are. Bergamot Orange from here is a major crop and is some of the best in the world. This is also a major region for porcini mushrooms.
What is the history of the Calabrian wine region?
Around 1500 BC a tribe called the Oenitri (vine cultivators) settled the region. These were possibly Greeks led by their king Oenotrus.
What is the production method for Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG?
Grapes must be dried on the vine rather than on racks, in French “passerillage sur souche”
80g/l is the minimum required RS and must be 13.5% alcohol.
Where would you find the DOCG Castel del Monte Bombino Nero?
Puglia. This is one of three DOCGs based around the area of Monte Castle which is an ancient castle.
Where did the name “Puglia” originate?
Comes from a Latin phrase “a pluvia,” which means “without rain.”
What are the main grapes of the Puglia region?
Uva di Troia Negroamaro Primitivo Bombino Nero Nero di Troia
What are the 4 DOCGs of the Puglia region?
Castel del Monte Bombino Nero (rose only)
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva (red, and biggest production)
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva
Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale
Where would you find Salice Salentino DOC?
In Puglia- all styles are permitted here based on Negroamaro, Aleatico, Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay
What is the blend of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG? Also what is the soil type here?
50-70% Nero d’Avola
30-50% Frappato
Must be 13% alcohol
Iron Rich Clay and Sand, 14-20 meters elevation
What is the elevation of Puglia?
It is very low, only 5-8 meters elevation
What are the DOCGs of Puglia?
Castel del Monte Bombino Nero
Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva
Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva
Primitivo di Manduria Dulce Naturale
What is the difference between Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva and Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCGS?
Rosso Riserva requires 65% Nero di Troia and 35% other red grapes while Castel del Monte Nero di Troia requires 90% Nero di Troia and 10% other red grapes.
What is the minimum RS for Primitivo di Manduria Dulce Naturale?
50g/l. Some of the grapes may be dried. This is 100% Primitivo.
What is the max elevation for Sardegna?
The max elevation is 500 meters.
What is the encepagement of Vermentino di Gallura? Which styles may it be produced in?
95% Vermentino and 5% other white grapes. The wines may be produced in Superiore, Frizzante, Spumante, Passito and VT styles.
What are the DOCGS of Lazio?
Cannellino di Frascati
Frascati Superiore
Cesanese di Piglio
What is the blend for both Frascati Superiore and Cannellino di Frascati? What is the difference?
The blend for both DOCGs is 70% Malvasia, 30% Bellone, Bombino Bianco, Greco, Trebbiano di Toscana plus 15% other white grapes. The difference is that CAnnellino di Frascati is a sweet style with a minimum 35g/l
What is the elevation range for Basilicata?
This is a mountainous region- 698-819 meters.
What is the sole DOCG of Basilicata? Aging and blend? Soil type
Aglianico del Vulture Superiore
Styles: rosso, riserva
100% Aglianico
13.5%
Volcanic soil
2 years with 1 in a barrel, released 3rd year
Riserva: 4 years aging with 2 in barrel, released 5th year
What is the climate and elevation of Taurasi
Mediterranean climate. Vineyards are all at 700 meters or above. Taurasi is made in the elevated hill of Avellino along the Calore River.
What is the soil type found in Taurasi?
Calcareous marls, volcanic deposits and limestone. This soil and elevated vineyards produce some say the best expression of Aglianico.
What are the aging requirements for Taurasi?
Regular is aged for 3 years with 1 in wood
Riserva is aged for 4 years with 18 in wood
What are some of the typical blending grapes for Taurasi?
Many producers do choose to use 100% Aglianico, but other common blending grapes are Piedirosso, Barbera and Sangiovese.
What is the blend and aging requirements for Aglianico del Taburno?
This is one of the four DOCGS in Campania. It like Taurasi requires 85% Aglianico. This may also be made in a Rosato style however. The rosso wines must age 2 years and the riserva wines 3 years with 1 in wood.
What is the blend of Fiano di Avellino?
85% Fiano plus 15% Trebbiano Tosano, Coda di Volpe and Greco
What is the blend of Greco di Tufo?
85% Greco, 15% Coda di Volpe. May be made in a still or Spumante style.
What is the blend of Cerasoulo di Victoria DOCG?
50-70% Nero d’Avola, 30-50% Frappatto, 13% other red grapes.
What is the soil type and elevation of Cerasoulo di Vittoria DOCG?
Iron rich clay and sand. The elevation isn’t high- 14-20 meters.
