Umbria - Grape Varieties

Question 1

What are three typical grapes that make up blending partners for Sangiovese in Umbria?

Answer 1

1. Merlot
2. Cabernet Sauvginon
3. Sagrantino

Question 2

What Umbrian grape is asscoiated with the ancient grape Irtiola?

Answer 2

Sagrantino

Question 3

What are two red and one white international grape varieties prevalent in Umbria?

Answer 3

• Merlot
• Cabernet Sauvingon
• Chardonnay

Question 4

True or False

While Grechetto di Orvieto and Grechetto di Todi are two distinct varieties, they are often planted together and blended together by producers and when labelled as “Grechetto”, it may be both or one or ther other as no DOC rules to state otherwise.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

True or False

Well over the majority of red wines are produced in Umbria.

Answer 5

False

Umbria’s production is almost equally divided between white and red wine with a slighly higher proportion of red.

Question 6

What is a traditonal red grape found only in the Umbrian hills surrouding Lake Trasimeno.

It has been identified as a local biotype of Cannonau/Grenache.

Answer 6

Gamey del Trasimeno

also called Gamay Perugino

(Not related to French Gamay Noir)

Question 7

What is IGT wine production in percentage out of the total production in Umbria?

Answer 7

More than 40%

Question 8

What are five most widely planted grapes in Umbria (3 red 2 white)?

Answer 8

1. Sangiovese - 20%
2. Trebbiano Toscano - 12%
3. Grechetto - 11%
4. Merlot - 10%
5. Sagratino - 7%

Question 9

True or False

Sagrantino is considered to be Italy’s most tannic wine.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

This red grape, native to Toscana, is found in the southern part of Umbria around Narni and Amelia.

The name means “small cherry”.

Answer 10

Ciliegiolo

Question 11

This is a traditional white grape of Umbria, planted across Orvieto, Terni and west of Perugi, common blending partner of many Umbrian DOCs and IGTs.

Its mildew resistant skin makes the grape suitable for late harvest and botrytized wines.

Answer 11

Grechetto di Orivieto(!)

Question 12

True or False

Most vineyard holdings in Umbria is small.

Answer 12

True

Average is slightly more than 2.5 ac/1 ha

Question 13

This white grape has been proven to be identical to Pignoletto (a grape native to the hills of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna).

Answer 13

Grechetto di Todi (Pignoletto) (!)

However it is distinct from Grechetto di Orvieto(!)

Question 14

True or False

International grape varieties make up the majority of total vineayrd area in Umbria.

Answer 14

False

Native and traditional grapes account for the majority of the total vineyard area.

Question 15

True or False

Most Trebbiano-someting grapes may be similar but do not share common ancestors.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

This grape is used as a blending component in many Umbrian white wines.

The grape provides acidity but requires to be blended with more distinctive grape such as Grechetto to produce wines with greater depth and complexity.

Answer 16

Trebbiano Toscano(!)

Question 17

This ancient variety native to the area around Montefalco is Umbria’s most distinctive red grape, traditionally sweet passito, today the main style is dry.

Answer 17

Sagrantino(!)

Question 18

What are traditional and modern day training systems in Umbria?

Answer 18

Alberata (or vite maritata all’albero) - trained on trees, interspersed with other crops (coltura promiscua)

Cordone Speronato (spur pruned cordon) or Guyot system used today.

Question 19

This “Trebbiano” grape is only found in Umbrian around Spoleto and Montefalco. It is becoming increasingly popular.

Answer 19

Trebbiano Spoletino(!)

Question 20

What is Trebbiano Toscano called in Orvieto?

Answer 20

Procanico

Some believe Procanico to be a superior biotype of Trebbiano Toscano.

Question 21

How much of land under vine in Umbria is dedicated to DOC/DOCG production?

Answer 21

More than half of the 32,000 ac/13,000 ha

Question 22

What is the production of DOC/DOCG level wines in Umbria out of the t otal output?

Answer 22

One third

Question 23

What grape is Umbria’s most widely planted grape and represents one-fifth of the total plantings?

Answer 23

Sangiovese (!)

Question 24

What are characteristics of Sagrantino grape? (up to 8)

Answer 24

1. Late ripening
2. Cold resistant
3. Irregular yields
4. Thick skinned, suitable for appassimento
5. High levels of polyphenol
6. Notably tannic
7. Requires extensive oak and bottle ageing
8. High alcohol