Central Italy

Question 1

What are the 5 regions of central Italy?

Answer 1

1. Tuscany
2. Umbria
3. Latium (aka Lazio)
4. Marche
5. Abruzzo

Question 2

What are the climates of central Italy?

Answer 2

Coastal parts: Maritime

Inland: Continental

Question 3

What is the major white grape to know from central Italy?

Answer 3

Vernaccia (grows in Tuscany)

Question 4

What are the red grapes to know from central Italy?

Answer 4

• Sangiovese
• Syrah
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot

Question 5

What 3 DOCGs of Tuscany do you need to know?

Answer 5

1. Chianti DOCG
2. Chianti Classico DOCG
3. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Question 6

What are the minimum percentages of Sangiovese required for:

• Chianti DOCG
• Chianti Classico DOCG
• Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Answer 6

Chianti - 70% min

Chianti Classico - 80% min

Brunello di Montalcino - 100% only

Question 7

The one style of wine allowed to be made in Chianti, Chianti Classico, and Brunello di Montalcino is ____, ____, ____ wines.

Answer 7

Dry, still, red wines – all based on Sangiovese.

Question 8

What are the soils of Chianti Classico?

Answer 8

• Sandstone
• Galestro, a layered, friable, clay/marl-like soil

Question 9

Brunello di Montalcino is in and around which town?

Answer 9

Montalcino

Question 10

What are the soils of Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 10

• Lower elevations: clay + marine sediment
• Higher elevations: Galestro

Question 11

What is the name of the Sangiovese clone that goes into Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 11

Sangiovese Grosso, aka Brunello by locals

Question 12

What are the aging requirements for Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 12

• aged in wood barrels minimum 2 years
• aged in bottle minimum 4 months
• cannot be sold before Jan 1 the 5th year following harvest

Question 13

What kinds of oak barrels are used in Brunello di Montalcino?

Answer 13

1. Small barriques
2. Large Slavonian casks

Question 14

Where is Le Marche (aka Marches)?

pronounced MAR-kay

Answer 14

On the Adriatic (east coast)

Question 15

What is the climate of Marches?

Answer 15

Mediterranean

Question 16

What is the white grape of Le Marche?

What’s it like?

Answer 16

Verdicchio

Crisp white that’s vinified dry and unoaked

Question 17

What are the DOCs to know in Le Marche?

Answer 17

• Verdicchio di Matelica DOC
• Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 18

Which DOC is bigger and closer to the coast:

• Verdicchio di Matelica
• Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

Answer 18

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi