C29 - Southern Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What constitutes Southern Italy?

A

South of Lazio to the southern tip of the country, including the peninsula of Puglia and the island of Sicily

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2
Q

Describe the climate of Southern Italy

A

Hot and dry inland
Becoming humid near the coast
Altitude provides relief from some of the heat for those vineyards based in the Apennines
Sea breezes cool the vineyards on the flatter terrain of the Puglian peninsula

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3
Q

What is the principal economic activity in Southern Italy?

A

Agriculture

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4
Q

To which areas of Southern Italy is grape-growing particularly important?

A

Puglia and Sicilia, where significant volumes of wine are made

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5
Q

What were the traditional training methods in the south of Italy?

A

Vines were bush-trained low to the ground, with leaf cover protecting the grapes from sunburn

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6
Q

What kind of training is now most common in Southern Italy?

A

Cordon training and trellising

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7
Q

What are the benefits of cordon training and trellising in Puglia in particular?

A

These newer techniques allow for mechanisation on Puglia’s flat plain

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8
Q

…is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south of Italy

A

Campania

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9
Q

What is the landscape like in Campania?

A

A varied landscape with mountains, valleys and coastal plains

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10
Q

What does Campania’s varied landscape mean viticulturally?

A

That a wide range of black and white varieties can be grown here

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11
Q

Which varieties arguably produce the best whites in Campania?

A

Fiano and Greco

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12
Q

Where do the best examples of Fiano and Greco respectively come from?

A

The Campanian appellations of Fiano d’Avellino DOCG and Greco di Tufo DOCG

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13
Q

Describe wines made from Fiano

A
Medium to full body
Medium acidity
Aromas of stone fruit, melons and mangos
Usually early drinking
Better example matured in oak and can be aged in bottle, developing notes of wax and honey
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14
Q

Describe wines from Greco

A

Leaner in body than Fiano
More acidity than Fiano
Green apple, stone fruit and passionfruit flavours

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15
Q

Describe winemaking for wines from Greco grapes

A

Most producers ferment their wines in stainless steel

Some use old oak and techniques such as lees-stirring to enhance texture

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16
Q

How do Greco-based wines age?

A

The best examples age in bottle to develop aromas of honey and mushrooms

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17
Q

What is the most prestigious black grape of Campania?

A

Aglianico

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18
Q

Describe Aglianico wines from Campania

A
Deep colour
High acidity
High tannins
Flavours of black fruit
Matured in oak and can age in bottle to develop earthy, forest floor notes
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19
Q

Where is Aglianico best in Campania?

A

Taurasi DOCG

20
Q

Where is Basilicata?

A

Just below Campania

21
Q

Describe Basilicata

A

An extremely mountainous region where vineyards can reach 900 metres, especially on the high plain that surrounds the extinct volcano of Monte Vulture

22
Q

What is the principal grape of Basilicata?

A

Aglianico

23
Q

What is considered to be the best wine of the Basilicata region?

A

Aglianico del Vulture DOCG

24
Q

Describe Puglia

A

A vast agricultural area where large volumes of grapes are grown

25
Q

What kind of climate does Puglia have?

A

Hot

26
Q

What kind of grapes dominate Puglia? Why?

A

Black grapes

Because of Puglia’s hot climate

27
Q

What are the most notable grapes of Puglia?

A

Negroamaro

Primitivo

28
Q

Describe Puglia’s grapes when grown at high altitudes. How are they sold?

A

They produce simple, fruity wines for early drinking

Puglia IGT

29
Q

Under what circumstances can Negroamaro produce high quality wines in Puglia?

A

When yields are controlled

30
Q

Describe higher quality wines from Negroamaro

A
Full-bodied
Medium tannins
Medium acidity
High alcohol
Baked red and black fruit flavours
31
Q

Where do many of the best examples of Negroamaro in Puglia come from?

A

Salice Salentino DOC

32
Q

Describe the best examples of Primitivo

A
Full-bodied
Medium tannins
Medium acidity
High alcohol
Pronounced flavours of very ripe berry fruit
33
Q

In what respect is Sicily like Puglia?

A

It grows vast quantities of grapes

34
Q

Into which appellation do most of Sicily’s grapes get made?

A

IGT Terre di Sicilia/Terre Siciliane

35
Q

Into which appellation do most of Sicily’s grapes get made if yields are lowered slightly?

A

Sicilia DOC

36
Q

What is the dominant black grape in Sicily’s most produced wines?

A

Nero d’Avola

37
Q

Describe wines of Nero d’Avola

A

Medium to full-bodied wines
Medium tannins
Medium acidity
Aromas of plums and black cherries
Usually made into a fruity, early-drinking style
From best producers they are more concentrated and complex

38
Q

Describe how local white varieties are usually sold in Sicilia

A

As varietal or blended wines

39
Q

What style are local white varieties usually made into in Sicilia?

A

Unoaked

Displaying citrus and stone fruit flavours

40
Q

What other varieties are planted in Sicilia? Which is particularly successful?

A

Chardonnay and Syrah

Syrah

41
Q

From which appellation do some of the best wines of Sicily come?

A

Etna DOC

42
Q

How are Etna DOC wine grapes grown?

A

From old, low-yielding vines at high altitude

43
Q

What are the reds of Etna DOC made from?

A

Nerello Mascalese

Nerello Cappuccio

44
Q

How are the black varieties of Etna DOC vinified? What do these wines taste like?

A
They are blended together
Fragrant wines
High acidity
High tannin
Aromas of sour red cherries, cranberries and raspberries, sometimes with dried herbs
45
Q

Describe Etna DOC wines with bottle age

A

High tannins soften

Mushroom-like aromas can develop

46
Q

Describe the high quality white wines of Etna DOC

A

Medium body
High acidity
Citrus fruit, often with a stony/steely character
Develop aromas of honey and wax with bottle age