Southern Italy White Wines

Question 1

What is Mezzedria?

Answer 1

Sharecropping

Question 2

What are Mezzedri?

Answer 2

Families who lived on land own by wealthy estate owners and farmed it

Question 3

When was the Mezzedria system abolished?

Answer 3

1960s

Question 4

T/F Vermentino di Sardegna DOC covers the entire island?

Answer 4

T

Question 5

What is the general style of Vermentino di Sardegna?

Answer 5

Generally considered a lighter and less-structured version of Vermentino

Question 6

Sardegna is know for the production of what product?

Answer 6

Corks, specifically in Gallura

Question 7

In what part of Sargengna will you find the Gallura subregion?

Answer 7

Northeastern corner

Question 8

What is the main soil of Gallura?

Answer 8

Weathered granitic sands

Question 9

What is the required cépage for Vermentino di Gallura?

Answer 9

Min 95% Vermentino

Question 10

Is Vermentino di Gallura superiore produced?

Answer 10

yes, which stricter production rules (higher min alcohol)

Question 11

Vermentino di Gallura notable producers?

Answer 11

Capichera, pioneer producer, quality, 1st to make oak aged version; Siddùra, dedicated to quality and restoring historic status

Question 12

Vermentino di Sardegna notable producers?

Answer 12

Pusole, small, family, bottled under Ogliastra IGT; Antonella Corda, sustainable

Question 13

What is Campania’s most widely planted white grape?

Answer 13

Falanghina

Question 14

Well known Falagnhina DOCs in Campania?

Answer 14

Falanghina del Sannio DOC, Campi Flegrei DOC, Falerno del Massico DOC

Question 15

Who is the founding father of Campania’s modern wine industry?

Answer 15

Antonio Mastroberardino. Also credited with saving the Fiano grape from extinction, and bringing attention to grapes like Greco & Aglianico

Question 16

What is the required cépage for Fiano di Avellino?

Answer 16

Min 85% Fiano, most wines are unbaked

Question 17

Fiano di Avellino notable producers?

Answer 17

Mastroberardio, Terredora; Feudi di San Gregorio; Joaquin, old pre-phylloxera vines; Ciro Picariello, holds wines back; Colli di Lapio, “grand cru” area for Fiano

Question 18

Irpinia is home to what DOCGs?

Answer 18

Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi

Question 19

Required cépage for Greco di Tufo DOCG?

Answer 19

Min 85% Greco, most wines unbaked

Question 20

Greco di Tufo notable producers?

Answer 20

Mastroberardino; Terredora di Paolo, Walter Mastroberardino; Feudi di San Gregorio, founded 1986; Benito Ferrara, Vigna Cicogna one of Italy’s best whites; Pietracupa; Quintodecimo

Question 21

What are Giardino Patesco?

Answer 21

Circular structure of lava stone built around plants to protect them from wind and absorb precious moisture

Question 22

What are Dammusi?

Answer 22

Building with thick lava-rock walls

Question 23

Where does the name “Pantelleria” originate?

Answer 23

The Arabic phrase “Bent El-Rhia” or “Daughter of the Wind”

Question 24

What winds affect Pantelleria?

Answer 24

Sirocco and mistral

Question 25

Zibibbo is the local Pantelleria name for what grape?

Answer 25

Moscato di Alessandria (Muscat of Alexandria)

Question 26

The word Zibibbo originates from?

Answer 26

Arabic word Zabīb, meaning "dried grape"

Question 27

When are Passito di Pantelleria grapes harvested?

Answer 27

End of August, then dried on racks or in the sun and wind up to a month. These dried grapes are harvested in September and fermented

Question 28

How are Passito di Pantelleria wines fermented?

Answer 28

Dried grapes from the first harvest are added in several lots to the fermenting must of the second harvest

Question 29

How long must Passito di Pantelleria be aged?

Answer 29

Minimum 6 months before release

Question 30

Passito di Pantelleria notable producers?

Answer 30

De Bartoli, famous Bukkuram bottling; Donnafugata, iconic Ben Ryé bottling; Pellegrino; Salvatore Murana; Fabrizio Basile, ages in chestnut/acacia; Ferrandes, old vines

Question 31

What are the most important grapes for Marsala production?

Answer 31

Grillo, Catarratto

Question 32

What is the highest quality grape used for Marsala?

Answer 32

grillo

Question 33

Why is Grillo more prized than Catarratto for Marsala?

Answer 33

Grillo ripens to high sugar levels, while retaining acidity, texture, and aroma

Question 34

What are some of the drawbacks of using Catarratto for Marsala?

Answer 34

It doesn't ripen to high sugar levels, and so requires more alcohol in fermentation. It has a tendency to oxidize quickly

Question 35

Traditional flavors of Marsala?

Answer 35

Walnut, date, black tea, tobacco, treacle, spice, almond, sea salt, caramel, honey, coffee and resin

Question 36

Marsala notable producers?

Answer 36

Marco de Bartoli, credited with preserving Marsala's historic honor; Catine Florio, 1st Italian producer of Marsala; Pellegrino; Curatolo Arini, oldest family owned Marsala company

Question 37

What are the two broad categories of Marsala, and what are the categories based on?

Answer 37

Marsala Vergine, Marsala Conciati. Styles based on what is added to the wine, and how it is aged

Question 38

What is Marsala Vergine?

Answer 38

A dry wine from white grapes only, must be aged at least 5 years in partially filled barrels. No additions are added but spirit at fortification

Question 39

If Marsala Vergine ages for minimum 10 years in barrel, what is it called?

Answer 39

Riserva or stravecchio

Question 40

What is Marsala conciati?

Answer 40

Allows for additions like cooked grape must, fortified grape must or grape spirit to bolster color, flavor, mouthfeel

Question 41

Marsala Superiore and Marsala Fine are examples of what category?

Answer 41

Marsala Conciati, where additions may be made

Question 42

Does Marsala Superiore of Marsala Fine account for the majority of production?

Answer 42

Marsala Fine accounts for nearly 80% of production

Question 43

What are the requirements for Marsala Superiore?

Answer 43

Must mature in wood barrel minimum 2 years

Question 44

What are the requirements for Marsala Superiore Riserva?

Answer 44

Must be matured in wood a minimum of 4 years

Question 45

What are the requirements of Marsala Fine?

Answer 45

Must be matured a minimum of 1 year, with 8 months in wood

Question 46

T/F The majority of Marsala Fine is sold to the food industry as a cooking ingredient?

Answer 46

True

Question 47

Which DOCG is more southern, Fiano di Avellino or Greco di Tufo?

Answer 47

Fiano di Avellino DOCG

Question 48

Terms like Ambra, Oro, or Rubino refer to what?

Answer 48

The finished color of Marsala wine

Question 49

What is secco?

Answer 49

Dry

Question 50

What is Semi-Seco?

Answer 50

Semi-dry

Question 51

What is dolce?

Answer 51

Sweet

Question 52

What are two examples of Marsala Conciato?

Answer 52

Marsala Superiore, Marsala Fine