Zraly Test Wines of Italy

Question 1

How many wine regions are there in Italy?

Answer 1

20

Question 2

What are the top 3 wine regions in Italy in terms of production and what is the major grape varietal for each?

Answer 2

Tuscany - Sangiovese
Piedmont - Nebbiolo
Veneto - Corvina

Question 3

What is the highest quality level in the Italian wine laws, what year did it go into effect and how many wines are entitled to have this designation?

Answer 3

DOCG - G stands for Garantita meaning taste control boards guarantee the stylistic authenticity
added in the 1980’s
71 wines have this designation

Question 4

Name 3 different levels of Chianti

Answer 4

Chianti - first level, inexpensive $
Chianti Classico - inner historic district, $$
Chianti Classico Riserva - from a classico area, must be aged for minimum of 2 years, 3 months, expensive $$$$

Question 5

What is a “Super Tuscsan” wine and who are a few well known proprietary Italian wines?

Answer 5

Experimentation with grape varieties and blends beyond what is permitted by the DOC regulations
Sassicaia
Tignanello
Ornellaia

Question 6

In which Italian wine region would you find Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello de Montalcino and what is the primary red grape used to produce them?

Answer 6

Tuscany

Sangiovese

Question 7

What is the minimum amount of time a Brunello de Montalcino must be aged in oak?

Answer 7

2 years (previously 3 years prior to 1995)

Question 8

What are the 3 major grapes of Piedmont?

Answer 8

Barbera
Dolcetto
Nebbiolo

Question 9

What is the only grape allowed to produce Barolo and Barbaresco wines?

Answer 9

Nebbiolo

Question 10

What is the biggest difference between French AOC laws and Italian DOC laws?

Answer 10

DOC of Italy mandates aging requirements

Question 11

Under DOCG wine laws which must be aged longer, a Barolo or Barbaresco?

Answer 11

Barolo
Barolo: 3 years; 5 for Riserva
Barbaresco: 2 years; 4 for Riserva

Question 12

Which wines are produced in Veneto Italy?

Answer 12

Amarone
Bardolino
Soave
Valpolicella

Question 13

In Italy what does “ripasso” mean?

Answer 13

The adding back of grape skins from Amarone wine to Valpolicella to give it more alcohol and flavor

Question 14

In Italy what does “classico” mean?

Answer 14

All the vineyards are in the historical part of the region

Question 15

In Italy what does “superiore” mean?

Answer 15

Higher levels of alcohol and aging

Question 16

What is Amarone and where is it made?

Answer 16

type of Valpolicella wine made from the ripest Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes, 14-16% alcohol, made in Veneto, Italy

Question 17

What are 7 other important wine regions in Italy?

Answer 17

Abruzzi
Fruili-Venezia Guilia
Trentino-Alto Adige
Lombardy
Umbria
Campania
Sicily