Southern Italy

Question 1

What does the heat make Southern Italy known for?

Answer 1

its full bodied red wines

Question 2

What varietals are seen in S. Italy

Answer 2

Aglianico, Primitivo, and Negroamara, however there is a large variety that can be found here.

Question 3

Where is Southern Italy?

Answer 3

extends south of Lazio down to the tip of the country and includes the peninsula of Puglia together with Sicily

Question 4

what is the climate of S. Italy

Answer 4

hot and dry inland becoming humid near the coast.

Question 5

where are most of the vineyards located in S. Italy

Answer 5

many are located on slopes within the Apennines where the altitude providing some relief from the heat. sea breezes cool the vineyards located on flatter terrain of the Puglian peninsula.

Question 6

Where is grape growing especially important in S. Italy?

Answer 6

in the regions of Puglia and Sicilia - significant volumes are made

Question 7

Describe how vines are trained in S. Italy

Answer 7

traditionally vines were bush trained low to the ground with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn. Old vines will display this. However the more common approach being used today is cordon training and trellising, allowing for mechanization in the plains.

Question 8

What region is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the South of Italy.

Answer 8

Campania

Question 9

describe the landscape of Campania

Answer 9

varied with mountains, valleys and coastal plains

Question 10

what styles of wines are made in Campania

Answer 10

a large variety of black and white

Question 11

What are the two white varietals produce the best white wines in Campania?

Answer 11

Fiano and Greco

Question 12

Where do the best wines made from Fiano and Greco come from?

Answer 12

Fiano di Avellino DOCG, and Greco di Tufo DOCG

Question 13

Describe a Fiano wine characteristics

Answer 13

typically medium acidity, medium to full body, aromas of stone fruits, melons and mango. often made to drink young, but better examples are matured in oak and can be aged in bottle developing aromas of wax and honey.

Question 14

Describe a Greco wine characteristics

Answer 14

more acidity, and is leaner in body, green apple, stone fruit, and passion fruit flavors. most producers ferment in stainless steel but some use old oak and techniques such as lees stirring to enhance texture. the best can age in the bottle to develop aromas of honey and mushrooms

Question 15

what is the most prestigious black grape of the south of Italy?

Answer 15

Aglianico

Question 16

Describe the characteristics of the Aglianico grape

Answer 16

deep color with high acidity and tannin, with flavors of black fruit. matured in oak and can age in the bottle where it develops earthy forest floor notes.

Question 17

where is the Aglianico grape best found

Answer 17

Taurasi DOCG although can be found in Campania and other regions.

Question 18

Where is Basilicata found in Italy?

Answer 18

just below Campania

Question 19

What is the Basilicata region like?

Answer 19

extremely mountainous where vineyards can reach 900 m especially on the vast high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture

Question 20

what is the principle grape in Basilicata and what does it make?

Answer 20

Aglianico - Aglianico del Vulture DOC - considered the best wine of the region

Question 21

Describe Puglia?

Answer 21

a vast agricultural area where volumes of grapes grown. Hot climate leads to being dominated by black grapes

Question 22

which grape varietals are most notably found in Puglia?

Answer 22

Negroamaro and Primitive (Zinfandel)

Question 23

what type of wines do Negroamaro and Primitive (Zinfandel) when produced in high yields

Answer 23

simple fruity for early drinking

Question 24

what are Negroamaro and Primitive (Zinfandel) wines in Puglia sold as?

Answer 24

Puglia IGT

Question 25

Describe Negroamaro wine when yields are controlled.

Answer 25

high quality full bodied, med tannins and acidity, high alcohol and baked red and black fruit.

Question 26

Where do many of the best Negroamaro wines come from?

Answer 26

Salice Salentino DOC

Question 27

Describe Primitivo wine when yields are controlled.

Answer 27

high quality wines in similar style to Negroamaro. Best are full bodied, with med tannins and acidity, high alcohol and pronounced flavors of very ripe berry fruit.

Question 28

What are the two main wines that are produced in Sicily

Answer 28

IGT Terre di Sicilla/Terre Siciliane (for higher yields) and if yields are slightly lowered - Sicilia DOC.

Question 29

What is the dominant black grape variety in Sicily.

Answer 29

Nero d’Avola

Question 30

Describe characteristics of Nero d’Avola

Answer 30

med to full bodied wines with med level of acidity and tannins, with aromas of plums and black cherries. typically made in early drinking style, but best ones are more concentrated and complex

Question 31

How are local white wine varietals sold in Nero d’Avola

Answer 31

either as varietal or blended, usually unoaked displaying citrus and stone fruit flavors.

Question 32

What international varieties are grown in Nero d’Avola

Answer 32

Chardonnay and Syrah

Question 33

out of the number of small appellations some of the best wines of the island come from where>

Answer 33

Etna DOC

Question 34

Describe wines from Etna DOC

Answer 34

produced from old low yielding vines in high altitudes.

Question 35

Describe the reds from Ethna

Answer 35

high acidity and tannins, aromas of sour cherries, and raspberries, sometimes with dried herbs.

Question 36

What black varietals are found in Ethna?

Answer 36

Nerello, Mascalese, and Nerello Cappuccio which are blended together

Question 37

Describe how Ethna is aged?

Answer 37

bottle age the high tannins soften, and mushroom like aromas can develop.

Question 38

Describe high quality white wines from Ethna

Answer 38

med bodied, high acidity, and display citrus fruit, often with stony/steely character developing honey and wax aromas with bottle age