Southern Italy Flashcards
Describe the wines of Southern Italy
The heat means that Southern Italy is best known for full-bodied red wines made from grape varieties such as Aglianico, Primitivo and Negroamaro.
Describe the terrain and climate of this region.
Extends south of Lazio, down to the tip of the country including Puglia and Sicily.
Climate - hot dry inland and humid toward the coast. Most vineyards are planted on slopes within the Apennines, as the altitude provides relief from the heat. Sea breezes cool the vineyards located on the flatter terrain of the Puglian peninsula.
Why are vines trellised instead of bush trained?
Allow for mechanisation to be used on the Puglian plain.
Describe the region of Campania and name the two white grape varieties and the best regions for these wines.
Has more DOCGs than any other southern region
Fiano and Greco grape varieties produce the best white wines in the region (Fiano di Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG)
Describe Fiano wines.
Wines with medium acidity, medium to full body, aromas of stone fruit, melons and mango. Made to be drunk young but better examples are oaked and can be aged in bottle developing aromas of was and honey
Describe Greco wines.
Wines with medium acidity and is leaner in body, with flavours of green apple, stone fruit and passion fruit flavours. Fermented in stainless steel but some producers use old oak and lees stirring to enhance the texture. The best can age in bottle to develop aromas of honey and mushrooms.
Describe the most prestigious black grape variety of Campania.
Aglianico - deep colour, high acidity and tanning with flavours of black fruit. It is oak matured and can age in bottle where it develops earthy, forest floor notes. It is at it’s best in Taurasi DOCG.
Describe the terrain and main grape variety of Basilicata.
Mountainous region where vineyards can reach 900 metres, especially around the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture.
Aglianico is the main grape and makes Aglianico del Vulture DOC (considered the best wine of the region).
Describe the climate and grape varieties of Puglia
Very hot climate dominated by black grapes, mostly Negroamaro and Primitivo (Zinfandel). Large volumes of grapes are grown in this agricultural area.
Describe the different styles that Puglian wines can be when yields are/aren’t controlled
- When grown at high yields, these varieties produce simple, fruity wines for early drinking and sold as Puglia IGT.
- When yields are controlled, Negroamaro produces high quality, full-bodied wines with medium tannins and acidity, high alcohol and baked red and black fruit. Best come from Salice Salentino DOC.
- Controlled yields, Primitivo produces similar wines. The best are full-bodied, medium tannins and high acidity, high alcohol and pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit.
Describe the main grape variety and how wines of Sicily are labelled.
Nero d’Avola is the dominant black grape and is grown widely throughout the island.
High yields are labelled IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane or if yields are lowered, Sicilia DOC.
Describe the wine style of Nero d’Avola wines.
Style: medium to full-bodied wines with medium levels of acidity and tannins, aromas of plums and black cherries. Made in a fruity, early drinking style. Those from the best producers are concentrated and complex.
Describe white wines of Sicily.
They are sold as varietal or blended wines, usually unoaked, displaying citrus and stone fruit flavours.
Name two successful international varieties found in Sicily.
Chardonnay and Syrah (which is particularly successful).
Which appellation produces the best red wines?
Describe the style.
Etna DOC - old, low-yielding wines produced at high altitudes. Made from Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio which are blended together to create fragrant wines with high acid and tannins, aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries and raspberries and sometimes dried herbs. With bottle age, the high tannins soften and mushroom-like aromas develop.
