Southern Italy Flashcards
What coast does Tuscany lie on?
The Tyrrhenian
What is “promiscuous” agriculture?
Practiced by the Romans. Crops planted together, in this case, wheat, vines, & olive trees
Historically, what is the name of the bottle used to bottle Chiani?
Fiasco
When was the first commercial super tuscan released? By who?
- Marquis Mario Roquetta released Sassicaia
Who is Piero Antinori and what was his first Super Tuscan bottling?
Piero Antinori is Marquis Mario Roquetta’s nephew. His first bottling of Super Tuscan released was called Tignanello
About what percent of Tuscan wine is released at the DOC/DOCG level?
60%
How many DOCG zones does Tuscany have?
11
What regions have the most DOCG zones?
Piedmont (17) -> Veneto (14) -> Tuscany (11)
Traditionally, when aging Sangiovese, what type of casks were used?
Large Slovanian
Now modern winemakers are just as likely to be using new barriques
What are the primary red grapes seen in Tuscany?
Sangiovese (blended with colorino and caniolo)
As well as cab sauv and merlot, as primary’s or blends
What is the most planted red grape in Tuscany?
Sangiovese
When blending is permitted, what grapes do you often seen blended with Sangiovese?
Cab Suav (adds color and power)
Merlot
Colorino (adds color and power)
Canaiolo (historically)
What is the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico’s “Chianti Classico 2000 Project
Sangiovese clonal research
What are anthocyanins?
The red pigment in grapes (skins or flesh f Teinturier)
Are there many clones of Sangiovese?
YES
What is the sole red grape of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?
Sangiovese
What percentage of the wine made in Tuscany is red?
85%
What is Trebbiano Toscano’s comment blending partner?
Malvasia
Where is the white Vernaccia grape most commonly planted in Tuscany?
San Gimignano
Maremma is planting more of which white varietal?
Vermentino
When was chianti elevated to DOCG status?
1984
What sub zone was added to Chianti DOCG in 1997?
Montespertoli by decree
How many sub zones are in Chianti DOCG? When were they created?
8 Classico (1932) Rùfina (1932) Colli Fiorentini (1932) Colli Senesi (1932) Colline Pisane (1932) Colli Aretini (1932) Montalbano (1932) Montespertoli (1997)
What firm dominates Rufina?
Frescobaldi
Rufina is regarded as the most consistent in quality
Pomino DOC with Rufina stands out because:
Only 2 producers: Frescobaldi and Fattoria Selvapiana
Larger percentage of international varieties and a range of varietal bottlings
In Chianti DOCG zones, what percentage of Sangiovese is required?
70-100%
Max 15% cab sauv
75%-100% in Colli Senesi
Max 10% cab sauv in Colli Senesi
What are the traditional blending grapes of Chianti?
Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia
What is governo?
The traditional practice of refermentation with the juice of dried grapes, to strengthen the wine and initiate malolactic fermentation
This is still legally permitted
What are the requirements for Chianti normale, riserva and superiore?
Normale: release March 1 after harvest. Min ABV 11.5%
Rùfina, Montespertoli, and Colli Fiorentini require additional aging
Riserva: 2 years of aging
Superiore: require an additional 1/2% degree of ABV and lower vineyard yields
What are the two most common soil types of Chianti Classico DOCG?
The soft, friable, marl-like galestro and alberese, or sandstone
What is the minimum amount of Sangiovese required in a Chianti Classico blend?
80%
As of the 2006 vintage, what grapes are not allowed in the Chianti Classico blend?
White grapes
What are the Chianti Classico DOCG requirements for Normale, Riserva and Gran Selezione?
Normale: released Oct 1 after harvest. ABV 12%
Riserva: aged min 24 mos, with 3 mos in bottle. ABV 12.5%
Gran Selezione: 30 mos aging, with 3 mos in bottle. ABV 13%
What is often the choice for aging riserva chianti Classico?
Barrique
When was Chianti Classico DOC Gran Selezione category introduced?
2013
Who isolated the Brunello clone and bottled it alone? When?
Clemente Santi of Tenuta Greppo’s Biondi-Santi 1865
Was released as Brunello Reserva 1888
Brunello di Montalcino is produced from 100% of which grape?
Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?
NORMALE: 2 years in cask, 4 mos in bottle. Cannot be released until Jan 1 of 5th year after harvest
RISERVA: 2years in cask, 6 mos in bottle
Cannot be released until Jan 1 of 6th year after harvest
What soils are found in Montalcino?
Galestro (hight altitude)
Clay (lower regions)
Fossilized marine deposits scattered throughout
Sant Angelo in Colle, Castelnuovo Abate and Torrenieri are frazioni (suburbs) of which region?
Brunello di Montalcino
What region in Brunello di Montalcino exists for white grapes? Which varietal?
Moscadello di Montalcino
Varietal: Moscadello
Vinification: Sweet, still, sparkling
The Sant’Animo DOC in Brunello allows producers to create which types of wine?
Super Tuscans - Any grapes authorized in Tuscany may be utilized in Sant’Animo
When were Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Brunello di Montalcino awarded DOCG status?
1980
Two of the first DOCG’s awarded in Italy
What are the varietal requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
min 70% sangiovese, max 30% other varietals of Tuscany, max 5% white varietal
What are the aging requirements for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?
NORMALE: 2 years min, 1 in wood
RISERVA: 3 years min, 1 in wood??
Where is Morellino di Scansano DOCG located?
In the Southern Maremma. Coastal
What grapes are permitted in Morellino di Scansano DOCG?
Min 85% sangiovese
When did Morellino di Scansano DOCG receive DOCG status?
2006
Southern Maremma used to be an inhospitable swamp. What changed?
Mussolini drained it in the 1930’s
Where is Carmignano located?
Low altitude region that overlaps with Chianti Montalbano
What grapes are permitted in Carmignano? At what percentages?
Sangiovese 50% min
Cab Sauve or Cab Franc 10%-20% REQUIRED
Rosso della Val di Cornia DOCG was created in which year? What varietals are used?
Super Tuscan family 2011 Sangiovese Cab Sauve Merlot
What region is Sassicaia produced from?
Bolgheri in Northern Maremma
What is the base grape for Masseto?
Merlot
Who produced Masseto?
Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia
Who produced Solaia (cab based)?
Piero Antinori
What is Ornellaia?
Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia is one of Tuscany’s most prominent Super Tuscan producing estates
Who produced Paleo Rosso? From which grape?
Le Macchiole
Cab Franc
Name a wine/producer that released a 100% sangiovese Super Tuscan
San Felice’s Vigorello
Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte
Isole e Olena’s Cepparello
What was a primary motivator to create the IGT category?
Super Tuscan’s being labeled as Vino da Tavola
What is the leading white grape for Bolgheri white wines?
Vermentino
Sauvignon blanc is also produced in the region
What is the one true monople DOC of Italy?
Bolgheri Sassicaia
What type of wine does Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG make?
Sweet red passito wine from the Aleatico grape
What is Elba historically known for?
Napoleon’s exile in 1814
What is the only white wine DOCG in Tuscany?
Vernaccia di San Gimignano located in the Siena province
What is a traditional dessert wine in Tuscany?
Vin Santo
What is Occhio di Pernice?
rose vin Santo with 50% min Sangiovese added
What grapes are typically found in Vin Santo?
Trebbiano and Malvasia
Sometimes Grechetto is authorized
What’s the process for making Vin Santo?
Grapes picked and hung to dry until at least Dec 1 after harvest
A period of slow fermentation and aging in caratelli barrels follows for 3 to 8 years
Traditionally, aging took place in chestnut casks, now oak is used more frequently.
The barrels are never topped
Wines can be sweet or dry depending on length of appassimento process
If fortified, labeled liquoroso
Orvieto DOC is in which region?
Umbria
Where is Umbria located?
To the south east of Tuscany.
Marche neighbors it on the east
And Latium neighbors in on the south west
What are the primary white grapes in Orvieto DOC?
Trebbiano Toscana and Grechetto
Lago di Corbara DOC in Umbria have what type of soils?
Tufeau
What are the two most celebrated red wines in Umbria?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG
What is the varietal and aging requirements for Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Varietal: Sagrantino
Aging requriements: min 37 mos, 12 mos in wood
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG can be produced either secco or passito
Marco Caprai and Paolo Bea produce which DOCG wines from Umbria?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG is produced from what grape?
70-100% Sangiovese
Who is the largest produces of Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?
Lungarotti family
What are the aging requirements for Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG?
minimum 3 years, 6 months in bottle
What borders the Marche to the East?
The Adriatic sea
What borders Marche to the South?
Abruzzo
What is the most important grape of Marches?
Verdicchio
What are the aging requirements for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG and Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG?
18 mos of aging min
What grapes are used in Conera Rosso Riserva DOCG?
85% min Montepulciano
15% max sangiovese
How long is Conera Rosso Riserva DOCG aged for?
2 years
traditionally in botti, now producers are using a percentage of new barriques
What color grape is the Vernaccia grape?
Red
What type of wines are Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG?
Sparkling reds either dry or sweet made from 40% passito grapes
The Offida DOCG covers wines produced from which grapes?
Montepulcino, Pecorino (white), and Passerina (white)
What is Abruzzo’s most cultivated varietal?
Montepulciano (which is also the second most cultivated grape in Italy)
What is Cerasuolo?
A name for a rosato version of a Montepulciano
Who are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo’s premier producers?
Edoardo Valentini and the naturalistic Emidio Pepe
In Abruzzo, what’s a synonym for Bombino?
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Name an Abruzzo’s DOCG ?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG
What are the varietal and aging requirements for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC and DOCG?
DOC: Normale: 85% Montepulciano
DOCG: 90% Montepulciano 2 years aging including 1 in wood
DOCG Riserva: 90% Montepulciano 3 yrs aging, one in wood.
What DOC accounts for the majority of Abruzzo’s whites?
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC
What is a synonym for Latium?
Lazio
What are the principal grapes in Lazio?
What is the broad DOC that covers much of the region?
Trebbiano & Malvasia
Castelli Romani DOC
What was Lazio’s first DOCG?
Cesanese del Piglio
from the indigenous Cesanese grape - red, peppery, elevated acidity wines
The Falesco estate in Montefiascone, Lazio, has international attention and produces which types of wine?
International varietals - cab sauv and Merlot
How many DOC’s are there in Molise?
Which is the most prominent?
4
Biferno DOC - produces reds and rosatos from Montepulciano and Aglianico
What is the capital of Marche?
Ancona
What is the capital of Lazio?
Rome
Verdiccio di Matelica DOCG is located where in Marche?
Inland at a higher elevation than Verdiccio Dei Castelli di Jesi DOCG, which is closer to the sea (and larger)
*What is the capital of Molise?
Campobasso
*What is Falernian?
A wine that was produced in the 1st century at the height of the Roman Empire sourced from the slopes of Monte Massico. It was one of the most prominent wines of the ancient world
Made either in a sweet or dry style from the grape Aminean (imported from Greece, now known as Greco)
*What kind of soil is found in Falerno del Massico DOC?
What varietals?
Volcanic tufa soil
Aglianico, Primitivo (red)
Falanghina (white)
What is the capital of Campania?
Naples
What percentage of Campanian wines are at the DOC level?
Less than 10%
What are the primary red and white varietals in Campania DOC wines?
Red: Aglianicao, Piederosso
White: Falanghina, Greco, Fiano
What DOCG’s in Campania show Aglianico as a varietal?
Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Taburno DOCG
*In what province are Taurasi wines produced?
Avellino
What are the aging requirements for Taurasi wine? Normale and Riserva?
Normale: 3 years total, 1 in wood
Riserva: 4 years total, 18 mos in wood
Name two Taurasi DOCG producers
Mastroberardino
Terredora
Feudi di San Gregorio
What are the white two DOCG wines of Campania?
Greco di Tufo DOCG
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
What are the requirements for Greco di Tufo DOCG wines?
85% min Greco
Greco is a lighter but more intensely aromatic grape than Fiano and is grown at higher altitudes to the immediate north of Fiano di Avellino
What are the requirements for Fiano di Avellino DOCG wines?
85% min Fiano
Fiano is a full-bodied, assertive, resiny grape
Falanghina del Sannio DOC produces what type of wines?
Dry and sweet passito wines from the Falanghina grape
*In the DOCs of Campi Flegrei and Costa d’Amalfi which white grapes are blended?
Falanghina and Biancolella
Where is Mt Vesuvius located?
Campania
What grapes consist of the majority of the blend of the Mount Vesuvius DOC wines?
coda di volpe; Verdeca
Falanghina can be blended in smaller quantities as well
When can Vesuvio DOC wine be labeled as Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio DOC?
If the wine reaches 12% ABV
What type of wines are made under the Vesuvius DOC?
white, rosato, red, sparkling, or fortified
*What is a synonym for the Greco grape?
Aminean grape
*What Campanian DOC is located offshore on the bay of Naples?
What varietals do they produce from?
Ischia DOC
Whites: Forastera, Biancolella
Reds: Piedirosso and Guarnaccia (aka Tintore di Tramonti)
*How many DOCGs are in Puglia? What are they?
4
- Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG (65% min Nero (Uva) di Troia)
- Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva DOCG (90% min Nero (Uva) di Troia)
- Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOCG (exclusively rose wine)
- Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG,
Which seas lie on the coastline of Puglia?
Adriatic and Ionian
*How does Puglia’s geography differ from the rest of Italy?
Least mountainous region in Italy.
Characterized by rolling hills, fertile soil.
Vines were primarily cultivated for mass production, distillate or vermouth
When were Puglia’s DOCGs awarded?
2011
*What is the most cultivated red grape is Puglia?
Negroamaro which is prized for its powerful structure and full body
Where is the Salento peninsula?
The “heel” of Italy’s boot in puglia
Primitivo is genetically identical to which grape?
Zinfandel
What are the requirements for Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale DOCG?
Minimum 50 grams per liter of residual sugar, and may be subject to the appassimento process
What is Basilicata’s primary wine of note?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
Can produce: dry (acsiutto) or off-dry (amabile) and still or spumante
What are the requirements for Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?
Normale: min 13.5% 3 years aging 1 in wood Riserva: 5 year aging 2 in wood
*What is the primary soil type found in Aglianico del Vulture DOC? (Basilicata)
Volcanic soils
What is the primary red grape of Calabria?
Gaglioppo
A thick-skinned grape encountered in the reds and rosatos of Cirò DOC, on the Ionian Coast
What DOC produces the best examples of Greco (the primary white varietal in Calabria)?
Melissa DOC
Although whites account for only 10% of Calabrian wines
*Where is the Ciro DOC located and what does it produce?
On the Ionian coast in Calabria.
Produces reds and rosatos from the Gaglioppo grape
Where is Greco di Bianco DOC located? What does it produce?
Calabria.
Sweet wines from the Greco grape, usually partially dried prior to fermentation
*What body of water separates Calabria from Sicily?
The strait of Messina
*In terms of production, where does Sicily stand?
Right behind the Veneto as the highest producing region in italy
Who “discovered” Marasala? When?
Englishman John Woodhouse
1773
He fortified the wine to ensure safe shipment to his home country (back to England)
Name a prominent quality focused Marsala producer
Marco de Bartoli
Where are Sicily’s better vineyards located?
At higher altitudes where they can experience large diurnal swings to even the ripening process
Name 5 native white grapes to Sicily
Catarratto, Inzolia, Grecanico, Carricante, and Grillo
*What is Zibibbo a synonym for?
Muscat of Alexandria
*Name 5 native red grapes to Sicily
Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Perricone, Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio
What is Sicily’s most heavily planted grape?
Catarratto (white)
It’s also Italy’s third most cultivated grape
*What is the Catarratto grape primarily used for?
Marsala blends, the Alcamo Bianco DOC table wines, and juice destined for grape concentrate or distillation
What are the dominate varietals in the Etna DOC?
Nerello Mascalese (red) and Carricante (white)
Where is the Etna DOC located and what is the primary soil type?
Eastern Sicily
Well-drained volcanic soils
Name a producer in Sicily’s north eastern Faro DOC.
Palari
Faro DOC produces blends dominated by Nerello Mascalese
What is Sicily’s most planted red grape?
Nero d’Avola
*Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG requires a blending of which grapes? At what percentage?
Nerd d’Avola (50-70%)
Frappato (30-50%the)
DOCG regulations limit maceration in order to maintain the vibrant cherry-red (Cerasuolo) color of the wine
Where are the Moscato di Noto and Moscato di Siracusa DOCs located?
To the east of Vittoria in southeastern Sicily
*What is the capital of Sicily?
Palermo
*In what styles are Malvasia delle Lipari DOC produced?
Sweet, passito and fortified
Where are Moscato di Pantelleria DOC and the superior Passito di Pantelleria DOC located?
On the island of Pantelleria off the African coast.
Passito di Pantelleria is considered superior and it is said that the wine possessed such character as to dupe the Greek god Apollo into assuming that he was drinking ambrosia—a beverage, reserved for gods, that confers immortality upon the imbiber
Which island is to the north of Sardinia?
Corsica
What are the dominant red varietals in Sardinia?
Cannonau (Garnacha, or Grenache) and Carignano (Cariñena, or Carignan)
What is the dominant white varietal in Sardinia?
Vermentino
What is Sardinia’s climate
Hot, dry, mediterranean
*Which is Sardinia’s sole DOCG zone?
Vermentino di Gallura DOCG
*What DOCs in Sardinia may produce both still and fortified wines?
Malvasia di Bosa DOC and Vernaccia di Oristano DOC
*What are the three sub zones of Cannonau di Sardegna DOC?
Oliena, Jerzu, and Capo Ferrato
What are the requirements for Vermentino di Gallura DOCG?
normale: 12% ABV
riserva: 13% ABV
May see oak, but fresher styles are more common
Nuragus di Cagliari DOC produces what type of wines?
Still wines from the Nuragus grape.
A white grape with tart, apply flavors
In which region is Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG located?
Sicily
*What are the minimal legal requirements of Aglianico for Taurasi DOCG?
85%
In what region is Galardi’s “Terra di Lavoro” produced?
Campania An Aglianico (primary) and Piedirosso (secondary) bottling - their sole offering
The Vermentino di Gallura DOCG zone is located where?
Sardinia
It’s Sardinia’s sole DOCG zone
True or False:
Both bianco and rosato spumante styles can be produced under the Etna DOC
True
Where is Syracuse located?
Sicily
*Where is Coda di Volpe primarily grown?
Vesuvio DOC, Campania
white grape
Irpinia, Benevento, and Salerno are provinces in?
Campania
*A bottle of “Radici” carries what appellation on its label?
Taurasi DOCG
Mastroberardino Radici
Argiolas and Sella & Mosca are producers located in which region?
Sardinia
*What is the principal grape variety in the red wines of Salice Salentino DOC in Puglia?
Negroamaro
Can cab sauv be blended in Chianti DOCG or Chianti Classico DOCG?
Yes
Chianti DOCG = 70% sangiovese
Chianti Classico DOCG = 80% sangiovese
What does “Vintage” mean in Marsala?
The year the wine was fortified
Tocai Rosso is a synonym
Canonou
What is the capital of Calabria?
Catanzaro
What is the capital of Basilicata?
Potenza
Mt Taburno is located where?
Campania in the commune of Bucciano
What is the origin of the Nuraga grape?
TBD
What is the principal grape in the Faro DOC?
Nerello Mascalese