Southern Italy White Wines Flashcards
What is Mezzedria?
Sharecropping
What are Mezzedri?
Families who lived on land own by wealthy estate owners and farmed it
When was the Mezzedria system abolished?
1960s
T/F Vermentino di Sardegna DOC covers the entire island?
T
What is the general style of Vermentino di Sardegna?
Generally considered a lighter and less-structured version of Vermentino
Sardegna is know for the production of what product?
Corks, specifically in Gallura
In what part of Sargengna will you find the Gallura subregion?
Northeastern corner
What is the main soil of Gallura?
Weathered granitic sands
What is the required cépage for Vermentino di Gallura?
Min 95% Vermentino
Is Vermentino di Gallura superiore produced?
yes, which stricter production rules (higher min alcohol)
Vermentino di Gallura notable producers?
Capichera, pioneer producer, quality, 1st to make oak aged version; Siddùra, dedicated to quality and restoring historic status
Vermentino di Sardegna notable producers?
Pusole, small, family, bottled under Ogliastra IGT; Antonella Corda, sustainable
What is Campania’s most widely planted white grape?
Falanghina
Well known Falagnhina DOCs in Campania?
Falanghina del Sannio DOC, Campi Flegrei DOC, Falerno del Massico DOC
Who is the founding father of Campania’s modern wine industry?
Antonio Mastroberardino. Also credited with saving the Fiano grape from extinction, and bringing attention to grapes like Greco & Aglianico
What is the required cépage for Fiano di Avellino?
Min 85% Fiano, most wines are unbaked
Fiano di Avellino notable producers?
Mastroberardio, Terredora; Feudi di San Gregorio; Joaquin, old pre-phylloxera vines; Ciro Picariello, holds wines back; Colli di Lapio, “grand cru” area for Fiano
Irpinia is home to what DOCGs?
Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Taurasi
Required cépage for Greco di Tufo DOCG?
Min 85% Greco, most wines unbaked
Greco di Tufo notable producers?
Mastroberardino; Terredora di Paolo, Walter Mastroberardino; Feudi di San Gregorio, founded 1986; Benito Ferrara, Vigna Cicogna one of Italy’s best whites; Pietracupa; Quintodecimo
What are Giardino Patesco?
Circular structure of lava stone built around plants to protect them from wind and absorb precious moisture
What are Dammusi?
Building with thick lava-rock walls
Where does the name “Pantelleria” originate?
The Arabic phrase “Bent El-Rhia” or “Daughter of the Wind”
What winds affect Pantelleria?
Sirocco and mistral
Zibibbo is the local Pantelleria name for what grape?
Moscato di Alessandria (Muscat of Alexandria)
The word Zibibbo originates from?
Arabic word Zabīb, meaning “dried grape”
When are Passito di Pantelleria grapes harvested?
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
How are Passito di Pantelleria wines fermented?
Dried grapes from the first harvest are added in several lots to the fermenting must of the second harvest
How long must Passito di Pantelleria be aged?
Minimum 6 months before release
Passito di Pantelleria notable producers?
De Bartoli, famous Bukkuram bottling; Donnafugata, iconic Ben Ryé bottling; Pellegrino; Salvatore Murana; Fabrizio Basile, ages in chestnut/acacia; Ferrandes, old vines
What are the most important grapes for Marsala production?
Grillo, Catarratto
What is the highest quality grape used for Marsala?
grillo
Why is Grillo more prized than Catarratto for Marsala?
Grillo ripens to high sugar levels, while retaining acidity, texture, and aroma
What are some of the drawbacks of using Catarratto for Marsala?
It doesn’t ripen to high sugar levels, and so requires more alcohol in fermentation. It has a tendency to oxidize quickly
Traditional flavors of Marsala?
Walnut, date, black tea, tobacco, treacle, spice, almond, sea salt, caramel, honey, coffee and resin
Marsala notable producers?
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
What are the two broad categories of Marsala, and what are the categories based on?
Marsala Vergine, Marsala Conciati. Styles based on what is added to the wine, and how it is aged
What is Marsala Vergine?
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
If Marsala Vergine ages for minimum 10 years in barrel, what is it called?
Riserva or stravecchio
What is Marsala conciati?
Allows for additions like cooked grape must, fortified grape must or grape spirit to bolster color, flavor, mouthfeel
Marsala Superiore and Marsala Fine are examples of what category?
Marsala Conciati, where additions may be made
Does Marsala Superiore of Marsala Fine account for the majority of production?
Marsala Fine accounts for nearly 80% of production
What are the requirements for Marsala Superiore?
Must mature in wood barrel minimum 2 years
What are the requirements for Marsala Superiore Riserva?
Must be matured in wood a minimum of 4 years
What are the requirements of Marsala Fine?
Must be matured a minimum of 1 year, with 8 months in wood
T/F The majority of Marsala Fine is sold to the food industry as a cooking ingredient?
True
Which DOCG is more southern, Fiano di Avellino or Greco di Tufo?
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Terms like Ambra, Oro, or Rubino refer to what?
The finished color of Marsala wine
What is secco?
Dry
What is Semi-Seco?
Semi-dry
What is dolce?
Sweet
What are two examples of Marsala Conciato?
Marsala Superiore, Marsala Fine
