19. Southern Italy Flashcards
(114 cards)
1
Q
For what four varieties is Campania known?
A
Falanghina
Greco
Fiano
Aglianico
Piedirosso
2
Q
What is Campania’s climate?
A
Warm Mediterranean
3
Q
Where does the cooling influence come from for Campania’s inland vineyards?
A
Inland vines are planted on slopes up to 600 m altitude, providing a cooling influence
4
Q
What are the soils of the hillside DOCGs of Campania?
A
Limestone and clay
5
Q
What are the soils of Campi Flegrei DOC and Vesuvio DOC?
A
Volcanic and sandy soils
6
Q
From which varieties is Campi Flegrei DOC mostly made?
A
Falanghina (white)
Piedirosso (rose and red)
7
Q
From which varieties is Vesuvio DOC mostly made?
A
Coda di Volpe (white)
Piedirosso (red)
8
Q
What is the most grown variety in Campania?
A
Aglianico
9
Q
What is the most grown white variety in Campania?
A
Falanghina
10
Q
What is the largest DOC for Falanghina del Sannio?
A
Falanghina del Sannio
11
Q
When does Falanghina ripen?
A
Mid-to-late ripening
12
Q
Why is Greco a challenging grape to grow? (4)
A
It is prone to:
1) Grey rot
2) Both mildews
3) Has low vigour
4) Low productivity
13
Q
Why is Greco attracting interest in countries with warming climates and water restrictions?
A
It is a heat-tolerant and drought resistant
variety
14
Q
When does Fiano ripen?
A
Late
15
Q
Why can Fiano resist botrytis even though it is late ripening?
A
It has thick skins
16
Q
What disease pressures is Fiano prone to?
A
Both mildews
17
Q
What are three vineyard characteristics of Aglianico?
A
Early budding
Late ripening
Vigorous
18
Q
What is Aglianico prone to?
A
Botrytis
19
Q
What is Campania’s most important denomination for Aglianico?
A
Taurasi DOCG
20
Q
Taurasi DOCG must be a minimum what per cent Aglianico?
A
85%
21
Q
What are Taurasi DOCG’s ageing requirements?
A
Three years of ageing, a minimum of one of which must be in wood
22
Q
What are the two main uses for Piedirosso in Campania?
A
1) To make early-drinking, varietal wines
2) To soften Aglianico-based wines where it adds perfume and freshness
23
Q
What are two province-wide DOCs in Campania?
A
1) Irpinia DOC for the province of Avellino
2) Sannio DOC for the province of Benevento
24
Q
What is the most planted variety in Basilicata?
A
Aglianico
25
What is the principal denomination of Basilicata?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
26
What are three requirements of Aglianico del Vulture DOC?
1) 100% Aglianico
2) A maximum yield of 70 hL/ha
3) One year of ageing.
27
What soils are to be found in Aglianico del Vulture?
Clay, limestone and volcanic soils
28
What is the climate of Aglianico del Vulture?
Warm Mediterranean with cooling influences from altitudes up to 600 m,
29
When does Aglianico ripen?
Late
30
What are three requirements of Aglianico del Vulture Superiore DOCG?
1) Maximum yield is
restricted to 52hL/ha
2) Minimum three years of ageing, one in oak
3) Riserva: five years of which two in oak
31
Name a significant producer of Aglianico del Vulture
Elena Fucci
32
Why is Puglia well suited to volume production?
Low rainfall reduces the threat of fungal diseases, soils are fertile and irrigation is permitted.
33
What is Puglia's climate?
Hot Mediterranean climate and moderating breezes from the sea
34
What are the three black varieties in Puglia typical to Puglia?
1) Primitivo
2) Negroamaro
3) Nero di Troia
35
When does Primitivo bud and ripen?
Early
36
What is a challenge for growers with regard to Primitivo?
The variability of
production level due to its vulnerability to
drought and has poor flowering and fruit set in rainy and humid years.
37
What are the two main DOCs for Primitivo in Puglia?
1) Primitivo di Manduria DOC
2) Gioia del Colle DOC
38
Primitivo di Manduria DOC must contain a minimum what per cent Primitivo?
85%
39
What are the three requirements of Primitivo di Manduria DOC Riserva?
1) Must be aged for
two and a half years
2) 9 months in wood
3) Minimum 14% abv.
40
Gioia del Colle DOC must be what per cent Primitivo?
100%
41
What is the cooler of Puglia's Primitivo denominations?
Gioia del Colle
42
Name two key Primitivo producers in Puglia
Gianfranco Fino (Primitivo di Manduria) and Polvanera (Gioia del Colle).
43
Puglia's Primitivo was victim to the EU's vine pull scheme, but what has contributed to its renaissance?
The success of Californian Zinfandel.
44
What three characteristics make Negroamaro highly suitable for growing
in a hot climate?
1) High yielding
2) Good resistance to diseases and to drought
3) Ability to retain acidity
45
What is Negroamaro's most important DOC?
Salice Salentino DOC
46
Salice Salentino DOC Riserva wines must be aged for how long?
For a minimum of two years with at least six months in large wood casks.
47
Negroamaro must make up what per cents of Salice Salentino Rosso DOC?
A minimum of 75 per cent Negroamaro and, if the variety is on label, 90 per cent.
48
Name an important Negroamaro producer in Puglia
Agricola Vallone
49
What is the typical winemaking program for Primitivo and Negroamaro? (3)
1) Macerated on the skins for 7–10 days
2) Aged either
in stainless steel for a short time (6 months) for inexpensive wines
3) For a year in oak (midpriced to premium)
50
When does Nero di Troia ripen?
Late
51
What is Nero di Troia prone to? (2)
1) Downy mildew
2) Autumn rain
52
Why are costly repeated passes through the vineyard a necessity for Nero di Troia
The bunches
ripen at different times
53
What is the most important PDO for Nero di Troia?
Castel del Monte DOC/Riserva DOCG
54
What business type plays an important role in the production of wine in Puglia?
Co-operatives
55
What per cent of Puglia's wine is PDO?
Less than 10%
56
What variety is Sicily's most planted?
Cataratto
57
What two other local varieties are commonly planted in Sicily?
1) Grillo
2) Inzolia
58
What is Sicily's most planted black variety?
Nero d'Avola
59
What is Sicily's climate?
Warm Mediterranean
60
What international variety is often blended with Sicily's local varieties?
Chardonnay
61
What is Catarratto notable for?
For being high yielding and disease resistant
62
Why is Grillo very suitable for Sicily’s warm, dry climate?
It is moderately high yielding and heat resistant and has good disease resistance
63
Grillo can lose aroma quickly. What practices in the vineyard and winery mitigate this?
1) Care has to be taken not to over-expose the bunches
2) The must oxidises easily and therefore
modern wines are made using protective winemaking
64
When does Inzolia ripen?
Early
65
Why is Inzolia a good blending partner for Catarratto and Grillo?
Its acidity level
66
What is the local Sicilian name for Moscato?
Zibbibo
67
Wines are made in three styles on Pantelleria from Moscato. What are they?
1) Dry
2) Late harvest
3) Passito
68
Why is Moscato well suited to growth on Pantelleria?
The island is closer toTunisia than to the rest of Sicily and Moscato is a heat and drought resistant variety
69
When does Nero d'Avola ripen?
Late
70
Why is Nero d'Avola often grown close to the ground?
To maximise the heat given that it's a late ripening variety
71
What two things is Nero d'Avola susceptible to in the vineyard?
1) Powdery mildew
2) Uneven flowering
72
Nero d'Avola and Frappato are often blended in which Sicilian DOCG?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
73
When does Nerello bud and ripen?
1) Early
2) Late
74
What does Nerello suffer from in the vineyard? (3)
1) Coulure
2) Powdery mildew
3) Botrytis
75
The timing of deleafing of Nerello needs to be precise. Why?
If deleafing is too early, then the berries can be burnt by the sun; if not done soon enough the fruit may never ripen fully
76
What is the minimum per cent of Nerello in Etna Rosso DOC?
80%
77
Etna Rosso DOC may also include what variety?
Nerello Cappuccio
78
What are the requirements for Etna Rosso Riserva?
Four years of ageing, of which one must be in wood
79
Etna Bianco DOC is a minimum 60% (better versions often see 100%) which variety?
Carricante
80
Etna Bianco DOC can be blended with what?
Catarratto
81
Sicily's wine business is unusual in Italy. Why?
The wine business
is led by a small number of large and influential
private companies
82
What is Sardinia's climate?
Warm Mediterranean climate with low rainfall during the growing season
83
Adequate rainfall falls in which area of Sardinia and irrigation is required in which area?
1) North-west
2) South-east
84
What is Sardinia's primary variety?
Canonau
85
What are Sardinia's two leading white varieties?
1) Vermentino
2) Nuragus
86
Besides Cannonau, what three other black varieties are common on Sardinia?
1) Carignano
2) Monica Nero
3) Sangiovese
87
What are the ageing requirements of Cannonau di Sardegna and Cannonau di Sardegna Classico?
Must be aged for two
years, six months of which must be in wood (12 months in the case of Classico).
88
When does Vermentino bud?
Early
89
When does Vermentino ripen?
Mid-ripening
90
What is Vermentino prone to? (2)
1) Downy mildew
2) European grape moth
91
Describe the typical winemaking process for Vermentino in Sardinia (4)
1) Gentle pressing of the grapes
2) A short period of skin contact (24 hours)
3) Fermentation at cool to mid-range temperatures in stainless steel
4) Short period of ageing (3–4 months) in neutral containers on the fine lees.
92
What are the two most important denominations for Vermentino in Sardinia?
1) Vermentino di Sardegna DOC (island-wide)
2) Vermentino di Gallura DOCG (north-east)
93
Where is Carignano mainly grown in Sardinia and why?
1) In the south-west corner of the
island
2) As a heat and drought-resistant variety, it can thrive despite high summer
temperatures, low rainfall and drying winds from the sea
94
What is Sardinia's main PDO for Carignano?
Carignano del Sulcis DOC
95
What is the most common form of training and a requirement of Carignano del Sulcis DOC Superiore?
Bush
96
Why are bush vines suited to Carignano del Sulcis DOC?
Due to the dry climate of the area and restrain the natural vigour of the variety
97
What are the ageing requirements of Carignano del Sulcis DOC Superiore and Riserva?
Two years
98
What are the three hillside denominations of Campania?
1) Fiano di Avellino DOCG
2) Greco di Tufo DOCG
3) Taurasi DOCG
99
What are the two volcanic denominations around Naples?
1) Campi Flegrei DOC
2) Vesuvio DOC
100
Why does the harvest date for Falanghina need to be carefully chosen? (2)
1) Can ripen late so autumn rain
2) Shrivels near season’s end
101
Describe the characteristics of Greco as a wine (3)
1) Floral
2) Oily
3) Smoky with age
102
What are the maximum yield of the Greco, Fiano and Aglianico DOCGs?
70hL/ha
103
What are Taurasi DOCG Riserva’s ageing requirements
four years including 18 months in wood for riserva
104
Why is Aglianico often not harvested until into November?
To ensure the ripeness of tannins
105
How are most Campania vineyards trained and trellised?
Guyot/cordon and VSP
106
Sangiovese and Montepulciano are grown in Puglia principally for what purpose?
Bulk wine
107
Old vine Primitivo is commonly planted in what way and why is it beneficial?
1) Bush vines
2) Makes good use of low water availability due to low density plantings
108
How is Moscato planted in Sicily/Pantelleria?
Low bush vines in individual planting holes to conserve water and offer wind protection
109
Nerello Mascalese often only sees 10-15 days maceration on skins, which is relatively short. Why?
It’s a high tannin variety
110
What two vineyard factors add to the cost of premium Etna wines?
1) Low yielding old vines
2) Strep slips require hand harvesting
111
Etna’s vineyards can be as high as what altitude? Why environment does this create?
1) 1,000
2) High diurnal range
112
Etna Carricante often undergoes MLC. Why?
To reduce the acidity returned due to Etna’s high diurnal range
113
What is the generic Sicily DOC that replaced the IGT in 2011?
Sicilia DOC
114
What is Sardinia’s main cooling factor?
Altitude
