Umbria Flashcards
What is the signature red grape of Umbria?
Sagrantino (but only 7% of Umbria’s production, less than Sangiovese and Merlot)
In which Italian region is the Grechetto grape most notably grown?
Umbria, but actually two distinct varietals
Who was the major proponent of the revival of Sagrantino in the ‘60’s?
Marco Caprai [saGRA>caPRAi] [P]
Sagrantino is native to what area?
Montefalco, between Spoleto and Perugia in Umbria.
What is the basis of the confusion of labels that designate Grechetto?
Grechetto di Orvieto and Grechetto di Todi are two distinct varietals (albeit possibly related in a parent-offspring relationship.) ‘Grechetto’ is authorized or required in several DOCs, but not the intended varietal is not specified.
What is Umbria’s best known white wine?
Orvieto DOC, a blend of predominantly, at least 60%, Trebbiano Toscano and Grechetto. Some producers blend with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and local grapes such as Verdello.
Describe the blend of Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG.
Sangiovese (50-70%) based red blend, 12.5% abv, required to age at least 3 years with a minimum of 6 months in bottle
What are the 2 DOCG’s in Umbria?
Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG
Describe the blend of Montefalco Rosso DOC.
60-70% Sangiovese, 10–15% Sagrantino, 15-30% others (including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot) [not Sagrantino based!]
Name the only Italian wine region without access to either the sea or international borders
Umbria
What is the difference between the Orvieto DOC styles abboccato and amabile?
abboccato is slightly sweet and amabile is semisweet
What is the common synonym for Verdello?
None. Verdello is sometimes confused with Verdelho in Portugal, but Robinson asserts it has no relationship.
What is the meaning of Trebbiano?
‘Trebbiano’ is used for several distinct varieties; the most notable in terms of quantity (but not quality) is Trebbiano Toscano which is the same as Ugni Blanc (brought from Italy to Avignon with the Pope.)
What is the etymology of Verdello?
the green one, representing the greenish color of its berries just before maturity
Are sweet passito wines permitted in the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG?
yes
In which wine region is Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG found?
Umbria
What are typical tasting notes for Grechetto wine?
citrus and white fruit flavors as well as a slightly herbal, almond character and a delicately creamy texture
Procanico is a synonym for what grape?
Umbrian synonym for Trebbiano Toscano
Who were the Umbri?
Ancient tribe from before the 1st millenium BCE from which Umbria takes its name.
Who founded the cities of Perugia and Orvieto?
Etruscans, after driving out Umbri
Who were the dominant forces in Umbria after the fall of the Roman Empire?
Ostrogoths and Byzantines, not favorable for vinicultural traditions
Umbria was united by what power in the Middle Ages?
The papacy. Viticulture remained in the hands of the monasteries and was saved by the monks. The Papal States in the mid 16th century were stifled economically and wine production suffered.
What Umbrian wines were exported in the Middle Ages?
sweet white wines from Orvieto
Who was responsible for a revival of Umbrian wines in the 1960’s?
Lungarotti (in Torgiano with Rubesco label achieving international recognition) [P]
What is the only landlocked region in central and southern Italy?
Umbria
What is the climate of Umbria and what are the factors that influence it?
transitional between Mediterranean and continental; elevation, lack of direct access to the sea, Central Apennines block air from Adriatic Sea
Discuss rainfall in Umbria.
overall plentiful, more in the east near the Central Apennines; dry in the summer; ideal for truffles
Black truffles are produced in quantity in what region?
Umbria [trUffle]
Discuss Umbria’s topographical structure.
hills 70%, mountains 29%, rare plains, the most hilly Italian region [slightly more than Marche at 69%]
What is the longest river in central and southern Italy?
Tevere River [not Arno]
What is the largest lake in central and southern Italy?
Lake Trasimeno, fourth overall in size in Italy.
What is the difference between tufo/tuff, tuffeau, tufa?
Tufo/tuff is soft porous volcanic rock formed by ejected volcanic material; tuffeau is marine limestone (e.g. Loire), Tufa an another type of limestone formed by precipitation of calcium carbonate
Who is Marco Caprai?
the major proponent of Sagrantino in the ‘60’s; Arnoldo-Caprai is now a topshelf producer
What was the first civilization in Umbria to encourage wine making?
Etruscans.
Who annexed Umbria after the barbarians?
Lombards
What are Umbria’s dominant soil types in the hills and valley of the central section?
alluvial and lacustrine deposits in areas of the ancient Lake Tiberino
What are Umbria’s dominant soil types in southwestern section in the hills outside of Orvieto, Lake Corbara and Amelia?
clay, sand and gravel resting on hills of marine deposits
What are Umbria’s dominant soil types east of Lake Trasimeno, northwest of Assisi and between Torgiano and Montefalco?
sandstone, marl and clay hills.
What are Umbria’s dominant soil types in near Orvieto and the Bolseno Caldera?
volcanic, tufo and pyroclastic
What is ratio of red and white grapes in Umbria?
balanced with slightly higher red
What is the most planted grape in Umbria?
Sangiovese [not white, not Sangrantino]
What are the 5 most planted grapes in Umbria (in order)?
Sangiovese, Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, Merlot and Sangrantino (60% total) [RWWRR]
What is the role of native and traditional grapes in Umbria?
dominant, >75% of total vineyard area
What is Gamay di Trasmento?
biotype of Garnacha (a minor grape in Umbria)
What is Trebbiano Spoletino?
a distinct Trebbiano found only in Umbria and recently revived by Cantina Novelli and Atillio Scienza in the early 2000’s
What is the relevance of Cantina Novelli?
producer that revived Trebbiano Spoletino in Umbria [Novelli>New grape: Trebbiano Spoletino]
Who is Attilio Scienza?
University of Milano professor of viticulture that collaborated on revival of Trebbiano Spoletino [P]
What is the traditional style of Sagrantino wine?
historically sweet, now predominantly dry
Name two important characteristics of the Sagrantino grape.
thick skinned, suitable for appassimento; high tannins, need for oak and aging
What is Pignoletto?
grape native to Bologna, identical to Grechetto di Todi [PIgnoletTO>TO(D)I]
What is the difference between Grechetto di Orvieto and Grechetto di Todi?
Grechetto di Todi tends to show fuller body and the tannin content in the skins provides more texture; Grechetto di Orvieto is native to Umbria
What country has the most plantings of Trebbiano Toscano?
France as Ugni Blanc, much of which is used for cognac.
What is the role of international grapes in Umbria?
important, but secondary (less than 25%) blending partner; almost all Umbrian DOC’s allow for use of international grapes; reds (even Pinot Nero) more than white (Chardonnay is most significant)
What is the dominant role of Trebbiano Toscano in winemaking?
brings neutral acidity to blends
Which is more common, Grechetto di Orvieto or Grechetto di Todi?
Grechetto di Orvieto
Where is Grechetto di Orvieto from?
Umbria, contrast to Grechetto di Todi
What is the training method in Umbria?
traditional was alberata, now Cordone Speronato
What are the proportions of the quality wine pyramid in Umbria?
DOC/G >33%; IGT > 40%; balance generic
Who was Giorgio Lungarotti?
responsible for a revival of Umbrian wines in the 1960’s, especially Torgiano [TOR>lungaROTit] [P]
What is the prototypic brand of Torgiano Rosso Reserve DOCG?
single vineyard Rubesco Vigna Monticchio
Describe the location of Montefalco in context of Umbria? What is the effect of this location on climate?
Montefalco is further east than most appellations with a more continental climate.
Describe the majority of Montefalco’s soils?
lacustrine deposits of yellow sand or a sandy-clay mix (formerly part of Ancient Lake Tiberino)
What are the wine styles in Montefalco Sangrantino DOCG?
dry and sweet reds
What is a mandated difference between dry and sweet Montefalco Sangrantino?
no oak aging mandated in sweet wine; secco is not mandated for the label
Name 5 appellations around Montefalco.
Montefalco Sangrantino DOCG, Montefalco DOC, Colli Martani DOC, Spoleto DOC, Todi DOC
Name a white wine only appellation around Montefalco.
Spoleto DOC
What is Umbria’s most eastern appellation?
Colli Martani
Name two white wine only appellations in Umbria.
Orvieto DOC and Spoleto DOC
What is the largest, most productive DOC in Umbria?
Orvieto DOC
Which appellation is most exported from Umbria?
Orvieto DOC [not Sangrantino]
What is the only Italian botrytized wine entirely regulated by the disciplinare?
Orvieto muffa nobile (noble rot)
What river is associated with the Orvieto Classico sub-zone?
Puglia River; classico designation is location, not production [not Tevere]
Describe the soils of southern Orvieto?
volcanic tufo and basalt
What is the basis of the Montefalco Bianco?
Trebbiano Spoletino (based on updated disciplinare)
What is governo method?
adds semi-dried grapes to just-vinted wine in induce a secondary fermentation
Name an interregional central Italian DOC(G)?
Orvieto DOC (similar to Colli di Luni)
What is Italy’s most hilly region?
Umbria [slightly more than Marche]
What are the main IGTs in Umbria?
only Umbria IGT is significant [similar to Toscana IGT]
The aging requirements of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG
both dry and passito must be aged 37 months [sag-rantino-3/7; less than Montalcino!]
Name two DOC’s known for varietal Grechetto.
Colli Martani DOC, Todi DOC [other Montefalco DOC’s are better known for Trebbiano Spoletano]
What are the key structural characteristics of Sagrantino?
wines have high levels of polyphenols, high tannin, high alcohol, high extract, good acidity
What is pulcianella?
dark green glass wine bottle with a short neck, historically from Montepulciano, used in Orvieto for inexpensive white wine (similar to Chianti fiasco, but less round)
What are lacustrine deposits?
sedimentary rock formations which formed in the bottom of ancient lakes; characterized by a river or stream channel has carried sediment into the basin [not volcanic]
