Central Italy

Question 1

What is the climate in Central Italy? What is it moderated by?

Answer 1

Hot climate

Coastal breezes and Apennine Mountains (altitude)

Question 2

Northern Tuscany can be broken into three general sections, what are they?

Answer 2

Chianti (mountains/foothills)
Hills and Valleys (south)
Coastal plain (flat)

Question 3

When does Sangiovese ripen? What are it’s acid and tannin levels?

Answer 3

Late

high tannin, high acid

Question 4

Aromas of Sangiovese include…

Answer 4

Red cherries, plums and dried herbs

Question 5

Why is Sangiovese usually oak aged?

Answer 5

To soften tannin (sometimes for spice flavour too)

Question 6

Sangiovese develops what flavours in-bottle?

Answer 6

Meaty and Gamey

Question 7

What type of terrain does Chianti cover?

Answer 7

Foothills

Large area covering foothills of the Apennines

Question 8

Chianti includes how many sub-zones? When can wines be labelled under a sub-zone name.

Answer 8

7.
When grapes are sourced from the one specified zone
(Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG)

Question 9

What is significant about the geography of Chianti Classico when compared to the rest of Chianti? How long must wines be aged for?

Answer 9

Higher Altitude

Wines must be aged for 12 months, not legally in oak, although it is the norm

Question 10

What impact on wines does the higher altitude in Chianti Classico have?

Answer 10

Acid retention and development of herbal aromas

Question 11

What Chianti wine must be aged for 24 months, with a minimum of 3 in bottle?

Answer 11

Chianti Classico Riserva

Question 12

Must Chianti Classico Riserva age in oak?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

Is Southern Tuscany warmer or cooler than Northern Tuscany?

Answer 13

Warmer

Question 14

What regulates heat in Southern Tuscany?

Answer 14

Cool, maritime breezes from the south-west

Question 15

What are the two DOCG regions in Southern Tuscany and what are their winemaking laws?

Answer 15

Brunello di Montalcino
-  Min. 5 years total ageing
-  2 years in oak
- 100% Sangiovese
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
- Min. 2 yrs ageing 
- No mention of oak
- Can be blended

Question 16

If winemakers from Brunello di Montalcino or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano decide to declassify their wines from DOCG to DOC status, what are the wines labelled as?

Answer 16

Rosso di Montalcino DOC

Rosso di Montepulciano DOC

Question 17

What grapes would you find on the flat Tuscan coast? What wines were originally made here?

Answer 17

Black Bordeaux grapes (Cab Sauv and Merlot)

Super-Tuscans

Question 18

What are non-DOC “Super-tuscans” labelled as?

Answer 18

Toscana IGT

Question 19

Which DOC region in Tuscany allows wines made entirely from non-Italian varietals?

Answer 19

Bolgheri DOC

Question 20

What is the climate in Umbria? What is it not influenced by?

Answer 20

Warm, continental with no Mediterranean influence

Question 21

Which DOC is Umbria known for?

Answer 21

Orvieto DOC

Question 22

What are the main grapes of Orvieto DOC? Which one tends to make better wines when it dominates the blend?

Answer 22

Grechetto, Trebbiano (among other local grapes)

Grechetto-heavy tend to be best

Question 23

What are the characteristics of Umbria’s Orvieto DOC?

body, acid, flavours

Answer 23

Light bodied
Medium to High acid
Ripe grapefruit and peaches

Question 24

How is Orvieto (Grechetto, Trebbiano) vinified usually?

Answer 24

Cold-fermented, protectively in stainless steel

Question 25

Where is Lazio in relation to Tuscany?

Answer 25

South

Question 26

What is the main DOC in Lazio and what grapes are used here?

Answer 26

Frascati DOC | Malvasia and Trebbiano

Question 27

What natural factors contribute to the cooling effects of Frascati DOC in Lazio?

Answer 27

Altitude and small nearby lakes

Question 28

What are the characteristics of Frascati DOC wines? (grapes, maturation, body, acid, flavours, aromas)

Answer 28

``` Malvasia, Trebbiano Unoaked Medium body Medium to High acid Citrus fruit flavours Floral, orange blossom aromas ```

Question 29

What aromas does having Malvasia in the blend sometimes provide to Frascati DOC wines?

Answer 29

Floral, orange blossom

Question 30

What grape is Marche best known for? What is the most famous DOC for this grape?

Answer 30

Verdicchio | Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 31

Verdicchio is generally simple and fruity with green apple and citrus flavours, what other flavours are sometimes seen: - in youth? - when aged?

Answer 31

- Fennel and almonds | - Honey and almonds

Question 32

What are red wines produced in Marche usually a blend of?

Answer 32

Montepulciano and Sangiovese

Question 33

What are the characteristics of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC? (colour, tannin, acid, flavours)

Answer 33

Deep colour High tannin Medium acid Black plums and cherries

Question 34

In what style are Montepulciano d'Abruzzo most commonly produced? What might the most concentrated examples see?

Answer 34

Simple and fruity | Short time in oak