Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

WSET 3 > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

1
Q

What are some of the major geographical features affecting the climate of Northern Italy?

A
  • The Alps: bringing cold air down to all of Santa’s good children and sheltering vineyards from rain
  • Local Rivers (the Po): moderate temperatures + fog
  • Glacial Lakes (Lake Garda): moderate temperatures
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How were vineyards traditionally planted in Northern Italy?

A

High-yielding vines at low densities, using the Pergola system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What town is the region of Alto Adige centered around?

A

Bolzano

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are some the geographical and climactic features of Alto Adige?

A
  • Moderate climate with short, dry summers and low rainfall
  • Large diurnal temperature range because of altitude
  • Vineyards are planted on terraces on SE and SW facing sides of the valley of the Adige River
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the most important grape of Alto Adige?

A

Pinot Grigio

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the dominant red grape of Alto Adige, and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Schiava

- Light / fruity / low-med tannins / raspberry / plum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How does the region of Trentino differ from Alto Adige?

A
  • Warmer
  • Valley is wider, and vineyards and vineyards are on valley floor as well as slopes
  • Lower altitudes, in general
  • Main varieties are Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio, and warmer-climate black grapes like Merlot and Teroldego are also grown
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Where is Friuli-Venezia Giulia located and what is its climate?

A
  • Located in the foothills of the Alps
  • Moderate continental climate
  • Cooled by cold air from the mountains
  • Vineyards in the south of the region, in the flat plain near the Adriatic Sea, have a warm maritime climate
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the primary grapes of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Pinot Grigio and Merlot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the style of Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A

Some of the richest Pinot Grigio in Italy.

Med-full body / juicy peach / tropical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Friulano?

A

Native grape to Friuli-Venezia Giulia producing wines with med-high acid / med body / pear / red apple / herb

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the climate of Veneto and what geographical features impact it?

A
  • Warm climate with moderate rainfall
  • Cooling influences from altitude and breezes from Lake Garda
  • Plains area affected by moist air and fog from the River Po
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a challenge to grape growing in the Veneto?

A

Moist air and fog from River Po on the plains increase disease pressure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What distinguishes Soave Classico DOC from Soave DOC?

A
  • Grapes grown in foothills to the north of the region
  • Soils here are composed of limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks
  • Naturally cool soils along with altitude give wines higher acidity and freshness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the main variety of Soave?

A

Garganega

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What distinguishes Valpolicella Classico DOC from Valpolicella DOC?

A
  • Grapes grown in foothills to the north of the region
  • Soils here are composed of limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks
  • Naturally cool soils along with altitude give wines higher acidity and freshness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the main variety of Valpolicella and what are its characteristics?

A
  • Corvina

- Thin-skinned grape with moderate color / low-med tannin / high acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How might a winemaker increase the color and tannins of a wine made in Valpollicella?

A

Other local grapes will be added to the blend

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the passito method in the Veneto?

A

Grapes are picked early to retain high acidity, and then dried indoors.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the three types of passito-method wine produced in Veneto?

A
  • Amarone della Valpolicella
  • Recioto della Valpolicella
  • Recioto di Soave
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Describe the steps of the Ripasso method

A
  1. An amarone is drained off its skins slightly before fermentation finishes
  2. The skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentation
  3. Yeast ferment the remaining sugar on the amarone skins
  4. Skins give more color, tannin, and flavor to the base wine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the climatic and geographical factors of Piemonte?

A
  • Moderate continental climate with long, cold winters and summers with thunderstorms, hail, and fog
  • Mountains in the north provide a rain shadow protecting the region from northern winds and rain
  • Po River is a moderating factor in the southern part of the region
  • Lake Maggiore is a moderating factor in the northern part of the region
  • Foothills across the region provide varying altitudes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the three main black grapes and two white grapes of Piemonte?

A
  • Barbera
  • Dolcetto
  • Nebbiolo
  • Cortese
  • Muscat
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Describe the region of Barolo

A
  • Horseshoe-shaped valley spanning several villages
  • Steep south-facing slopes
  • 300-500 m elevation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Describe a premium Barolo wine

A

Perfumed aromas of sour cherry / herbs / dried flowers / full-bodied / high acid / high tannin / ability to bottle-age

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

How long must a wine from Barolo DOCG be aged before release?

A

3 years, with 18 months in oak

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

How does Barbaresco differ from Barolo?

A
  • Lower altitudes (200-400 m)
  • Nebbiolo here ripens earlier
  • Wines are fruitier, less perfumed
  • Wines must only age for 2 years, with 9 months in oak
28
Q

What is the most widely planted grape in Asti and Alba?

A

Barbera

29
Q

Describe the Barbera grape

A
  • Late ripening grape
  • Medium to deep colo
  • Low-med tannins
  • High acid
  • Aromas of red cherry / plums / black pepper
30
Q

Describe the Dolcetto grape

A
  • Earlier ripening than Nebbiolo or Barbera, so it can be planted in the coolest sites
  • Deep purple in color
  • Medium tannins
  • Medium acidity
  • Black plum / red cherry / dried herbs
31
Q

What is the Gavi DOCG known for?

A

Wines made from the Cortese grape that have high acidity and citrus / green apple / pear notes

32
Q

What gives Gavi DOCG a cooler climate?

A

Foothills and sea breezes

33
Q

What are the primary geographical factors of Central Italy?

A
  • Apennine Mountains, whose foothills provide a range of climates / altitudes for grape growing
  • Cooling influences from sea breezes on coasts
34
Q

Describe the Sangiovese grape

A

High acid / high tannin / late-ripening / red cherry / plum / dried herb / usually sees time in oak

35
Q

What are two sub-zones of the Chianti DOCG known for the quality of their wines?

A

Chianti Colli Senesi and Chianti Rufina

36
Q

How does Chianti Classico DOCG differ from Chianti DOCG?

A
  • Higher altitudes slow ripening of Sangiovese resulting in higher acidity / herbal aromas
  • Must be aged 12 months before release
37
Q

How long must a Chianti Classico Riserva be aged?

A

24 months, at least 3 in bottle

38
Q

What are the stipulations for Gran Selezione Chianti?

A
  • 6 months longer aging than Riserva (30 months)

- Grapes must be sourced from a single estate

39
Q

How do the vineyards of Southern Tuscany differ from those of Northern Tuscany?

A
  • Lower altitudes
  • Warmer climate
  • Cool maritime breezes from SW
  • Wines are more intense, fuller-bodied than Chianti
40
Q

What separates the wines of Brunello di Montalcino from all other Tuscan reds?

A

Must be 100% Sangiovese

41
Q

What are the aging requirements for wines from Brunello di Montalcino?

A

5 years, 2 in oak

42
Q

What is the flat, coastal region of Tuscany known for?

A

“Super-Tuscan” blends made primarily from Bordeaux varieties blended with Sangiovese and other local grapes

43
Q

What is unique about the appellations of Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC?

A

Wines can be made entirely from non-Italian varieties

44
Q

What is the climate of Umbria?

A

Similar to Tuscany, but more continental. No influence from Mediterranean.

45
Q

What is Orvieto DOC?

A

A white wine from Umbria, made from a blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano. Light body / medium in acid / ripe grapefruit / peaches

46
Q

What is Umbria’s most prestigious red wine?

A

Sangrantino di Montefalco

47
Q

What is the best-known wine of Lazio?

A

Frascati DOC

48
Q

What is Frascati DOC?

A

A blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano. Medium body / medium to high acid / citrus / floral / orange blossom

49
Q

What is the Marche region best-known for?

A

White wines made from the Verdicchio grape, especially from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

50
Q

Describe the Verdicchio grape

A

Naturally high acid / green apple / lemons / fennel / can bottle age

51
Q

What is Abruzzo famous for?

A

The black grape Montepulciano, primarily from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

52
Q

What are the characteristics of a wine made from Montepulciano?

A

High color / high tannin / medium acid / cherry / black plum

53
Q

Describe the climate of Southern Italy

A

Hot and dry inland, becoming humid near the coast

54
Q

What makes the region of Campania unique for Italian winemaking?

A

It is home to more DOCGs than any other region in the south

55
Q

What are the best white wines of Campania?

A

Wines made from the Fiano and Greco grapes, especially from Fiano di Avellino and Greco di Tufo

56
Q

Describe wines made from the Fiano grape

A

Medium acid / med-full body / stone fruits / melons / mangos

57
Q

Describe wines made from the Greco grape

A

Higher acid / leaner body / green apple / stone fruits / passion fruit

58
Q

What is the most prestigious black grape of Southern Italy?

A

Aglianico

59
Q

Describe wines made from the Aglianico grape

A

Deep. color / high acid / high tannin / black fruit

60
Q

Where do the best examples of Aglianico come from?

A

Taurasi DOCG and Aglianico del Vulture DOC

61
Q

What are the dominant grapes of Puglia?

A

Negroamaro and Primitivo

62
Q

What would a high-yield, simple fruity wine from Puglia be sold as?

A

Puglia IGT

63
Q

What is Salice Salentino DOC known for?

A

High quality Negroamaro showing full body / med acid / high alcohol / high tannins / baked red and black fruits

64
Q

Describe Nero d’Avola

A

Medium to full body / medium acid / medium tannins / plum / black cherry

65
Q

What is the difference between IGT Terre di Sicilia and Sicilia DOC?

A

Sicilia DOC’s yields are slightly lower

66
Q

What is Etna DOC known for?

A

Wines from old, low-yielding vines at high altitudes on the slopes of Mount Etna. Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio are blended.

WSET 3 (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions