Umbria - Grape Varieties Flashcards
What are three typical grapes that make up blending partners for Sangiovese in Umbria?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvginon
- Sagrantino
What Umbrian grape is asscoiated with the ancient grape Irtiola?
Sagrantino
What are two red and one white international grape varieties prevalent in Umbria?
- Merlot
- Cabernet Sauvingon
- Chardonnay
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.
True
True or False
Well over the majority of red wines are produced in Umbria.
False
Umbria’s production is almost equally divided between white and red wine with a slighly higher proportion of red.
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.
Gamey del Trasimeno
also called Gamay Perugino
(Not related to French Gamay Noir)
What is IGT wine production in percentage out of the total production in Umbria?
More than 40%
What are five most widely planted grapes in Umbria (3 red 2 white)?
- Sangiovese - 20%
- Trebbiano Toscano - 12%
- Grechetto - 11%
- Merlot - 10%
- Sagratino - 7%
True or False
Sagrantino is considered to be Italy’s most tannic wine.
True
This red grape, native to Toscana, is found in the southern part of Umbria around Narni and Amelia.
The name means “small cherry”.
Ciliegiolo
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.
Grechetto di Orivieto(!)
True or False
Most vineyard holdings in Umbria is small.
True
Average is slightly more than 2.5 ac/1 ha
This white grape has been proven to be identical to Pignoletto (a grape native to the hills of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna).
Grechetto di Todi (Pignoletto) (!)
However it is distinct from Grechetto di Orvieto(!)
True or False
International grape varieties make up the majority of total vineayrd area in Umbria.
False
Native and traditional grapes account for the majority of the total vineyard area.
True or False
Most Trebbiano-someting grapes may be similar but do not share common ancestors.
True
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.
Trebbiano Toscano(!)
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.
Sagrantino(!)
What are traditional and modern day training systems in Umbria?
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.
This “Trebbiano” grape is only found in Umbrian around Spoleto and Montefalco. It is becoming increasingly popular.
Trebbiano Spoletino(!)
What is Trebbiano Toscano called in Orvieto?
Procanico
Some believe Procanico to be a superior biotype of Trebbiano Toscano.
How much of land under vine in Umbria is dedicated to DOC/DOCG production?
More than half of the 32,000 ac/13,000 ha
What is the production of DOC/DOCG level wines in Umbria out of the t otal output?
One third
What grape is Umbria’s most widely planted grape and represents one-fifth of the total plantings?
Sangiovese (!)
What are characteristics of Sagrantino grape? (up to 8)
- Late ripening
- Cold resistant
- Irregular yields
- Thick skinned, suitable for appassimento
- High levels of polyphenol
- Notably tannic
- Requires extensive oak and bottle ageing
- High alcohol
