Introduction to Italy

Question 1

When does Italian wine history date back to?

Answer 1

At least 8BCE

Question 2

Etruscans exported wine culture to France from when onwards?

Answer 2

6BCE

Question 3

What did the expansion of the Roman empire do for wine?

Answer 3

Created a home market

Led to the possibility of export in amphorae to the Gauls and Spain

Question 4

What happened to wine production after the fall of the Roman empire in 5AD?

Answer 4

Wine production continued for domestic consumption

Exports came to a halt

Question 5

From the 11th to 14th century, which two Italian cities became the trading centres of Europe?

Answer 5

Venice and Genoa

Question 6

When did the modern period of Italian wine begin?

Answer 6

In the 19th century - this is when styles known today were beginning to be established

Question 7

Which two events in Italy’s history paved the way for the contemporary period?

Answer 7

The unification of Italy in 1861

The economic boom after World War II

Question 8

What type of wine production did winemakers focus on in the period immediately following World War II?

Answer 8

High yields and high volume production

Question 9

When did international grape varieties first appear in Italy?

Answer 9

Early 20th Century

Question 10

How did Italian wines change in the final 3 decades of the 20th century?

Answer 10

Winemakers moved away from making simple wines for local consumption or export

Standards of wine increased

Question 11

Name two important innovations for Italian wine in the 20th Century.

Answer 11

Temperature control and stainless steel vats in Friuli wines in the 1960s

The success of Super Tuscan wines in the 1970s

Question 12

How many native Italian grape varieties are there?

Answer 12

Between 375 and 500

Question 13

What oak was traditionally used to mature Italian wines?

Answer 13

Large Slovenian oak casks
1000 to 5000l
Used over years allowing slow oxidation but no new oak flavour

Question 14

How did use of oak in Italian winemaking change in the 80s and 90s?

Answer 14

Producers used more French oak barriques

There was more use of new oak

Question 15

What is the term for wines which do not qualify for DOC status?

Answer 15

Vino da Tavola

Question 16

What does the term “Classico” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

Answer 16

Wines made exclusively from grapes from a defined historical area

Question 17

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines made exclusively from grapes from a defined historical area?

Answer 17

Classico

Question 18

What does the term “ Superiore” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

Answer 18

Wines with a higher minimum required alcohol level, typically 0.5%

Question 19

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines with a higher minimum required alcohol level, typically 0.5%?

Answer 19

Superiore

Question 20

What does the term “Riserva” mean for DOC and DOCG wines?

Answer 20

Wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least 2 years for reds and one year for whites.

Some DOCs and DOCGs specify that part of the ageing must be in oak

Question 21

What is the term for DOC and DOCG wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least 2 years for reds and one year for whites.

Answer 21

Riserva

Question 22

What term, introduced in 1992, is equivalent to the French PGI?

Answer 22

IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)

Question 23

What was Italy’s wine production in 2017?

Answer 23

42.5 million Hl

Question 24

What size are average vineyard holdings in Italy?

Answer 24

Less than 2ha - small!

Question 25

Name the five largest wine companies in Italy

Answer 25

Caviro
Cantine Riunite
Gruppo Italiano Vini
Santa Margherita
Zonin

Question 26

What percentage of Italy’s wine by volume was exported in 2017?

Answer 26

40%

Half of this was sparkling

Question 27

What are the most important export markets for Italy?

Answer 27

USA (26%)
Germany (18%)
UK
Canada 
Switzerland