Central And Southern Italy

Question 1

What are the two factors that moderate Central Italy’s climate?

Answer 1

Altitude (Apennine Mountains).
Sea breezes for coastal areas.

Question 2

Where is Tuscany located?

Answer 2

In the west of Central Italy

Question 3

Tuscany can be thought of in three parts. Describe each part including location and cooling effect.

Answer 3

Northern mountains (cooled by altitude)
Southern hills & valleys
Western flat coastal (cooled by sea breezes)

Question 4

For a Tuscan Sangiovese, give the wine’s acidity, tannins and flavours.

Answer 4

High acidity
High tannins
Red cherries, plums & dried herbs
Occasional oak spice

Question 5

Sangiovese is often matured in oak barrels. Why?

Answer 5

To soften tannins (small-large, old-new)
Spicy flavours (small, newish)

Question 6

What grape variety is dominant in a Chianti DOCG blend?

Answer 6

Sangiovese

Question 7

Is Chianti Classico DOCG part of Chianti DOCG’s seven sub zones?

Answer 7

No. It has its own DOCG, not a sub zone.

Question 8

Is oak maturation compulsory for any of Chianti’s DOCGs?

Answer 8

No
Oak is optional but typically used.
FYI: You will notice that maturation is given as a total and often min time in bottle, whereas Spain gives a total and min time in barrel.

Question 9

Give the different options for Chianti in order of lowest to highest quality, including any minimum ageing.

Answer 9

Chianti DOCG
Chianti [subzone] DOCG
Chianti Classico DOCG
Min 12 mth maturation
Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
Min 24 mth including 3 mth bottle
Chianti Classico DOCG Gran Selezione
30 mth
Single estate

Question 10

What is the only grape variety permitted in Brunello di Montalcino DOCG?

Answer 10

Sangiovese
FYI: The local name is Brunello.

Question 11

How long does Brunello di Montalcino DOCG need to be aged before release?

Answer 11

At least 2 years in barrel, then released from January the 5th year after harvest.

Question 12

What is an important grape variety used in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

Answer 12

Sangiovese

Question 13

How long does Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG need to be aged before release?

Answer 13

2 years

Question 14

Where is Toscana IGT & Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 14

The west coastal region of Central Italy’s Tuscany.

Question 15

What is the primary method of cooling for the wine regions of Toscana IGT & Bolgheri DOC?

Answer 15

Cooling sea breezes

Question 16

Why were high quality wines known as Super Tuscan forced to use Toscana IGT rather than a DOC ?

Answer 16

They did not meet the rules for any PDO
FYI: Historically, grapes needed to be Italian for DOC.

Question 17

Which relatively new DOC on Tuscan Coasts allows for up to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon?

Answer 17

Bolgheri DOC

Question 18

The best wines of Orvieto DOC have more of which grape variety in the blend?

Answer 18

Grechetto

Question 19

Which white wine from Umbria has medium to high acidity and flavours of grapefruit and peaches?

Answer 19

Orvieto DOC

Question 20

How is Umbria’s Orvieto DOC made?

Answer 20

Protective wine making
Cool fermentation in stainless steel

Question 21

Which white wine from Lazio (near Rome) has medium to high acidity, medium body and flavours of citrus fruit and sometimes orange blossom?

Answer 21

Frascati DOC

Question 22

Which two effects help keep the climate of Frascati DOC cool?

Answer 22

Altitude
Small, nearby lakes

Question 23

Where is Marche?

Answer 23

East of the Apennines, in Central Italy, above Abruzzo.

Question 24

What is the grape variety in Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC?

Answer 24

Verdicchio

Question 25

Which white wine from Marche has high acidity and flavours of green apples, lemon, fennel. Many are simple, some have greater concentration and can age, developing honey and almond flavours.

Answer 25

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 26

Where is Abruzzo?

Answer 26

East of the Apennines, in Central Italy, below Marche.

Question 27

What is the grape variety in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC?

Answer 27

Montepulciano

Question 28

A red wine from Abruzzo has high colour, high tannin, medium acidity with flavours of black plums & cherries. Many are simple un-oaked, the most concentrated spend a short time in oak.

Answer 28

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

Question 29

Why did Puglia change its method of training from bush vines to cordon training and trellising?

Answer 29

Puglia is a flat plain and it allowed for mechanisation.

Question 30

Where is Campania located?

Answer 30

Southern Italy, starting on the flat western coastal plains and rising into mountains in the centre.

Question 31

Describe Fiano di Avellino DOCG

Answer 31

Medium acidity Medium full body Stone fruit, melon and mango The best have oak and age influence (wax and honey)

Question 32

Describe Greco di Tufo DOCG

Answer 32

More acidity (leaner) Leaner body Green apple, stone fruit and passion fruit Sometimes oak and lees The best have honey and mushroom

Question 33

Where is Basilicata located?

Answer 33

Southern Italy, below Campania in the mountains.

Question 34

The 900m high flat plain in Southern Italy around Monte Vulture makes which wine and grape variety?

Answer 34

Aglianico del Vulture DOC Aglianico

Question 35

A full-bodied wine with medium tannins, medium acidity, high alcohol with baked red and black fruits from Salice Salentino DOC is made from which grape variety?

Answer 35

Negroamaro

Question 36

A full-bodied wine with medium tannins, medium acidity, high alcohol with baked red and black fruits from Puglia could be made from which grape varieties?

Answer 36

Negroamaro and/or Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Question 37

Puglia IGT wines tend to be simple, fruity wines for early drinking. Which two grapes dominate these wines?

Answer 37

Negroamaro Primitivo (Zinfandel)

Question 38

What are two IGTs that make up a majority of Sicily's production?

Answer 38

Terre di Sicilia IGT Terre Siciliane IGT

Question 39

What is the dominant red grape variety from Sicily, producing wines with medium-full body, medium acidity, medium tannins with plums and black cherries? Can be either simple,fruity early drinking or concentrated and complex?

Answer 39

Nero d'Avola

Question 40

What two factors mean that Etna DOC wines, made from a range of grape varieties, are among Sicily's best?

Answer 40

Located at higher altitudes Low yielding vines