D3 - Sicily, Sardinia Flashcards
Examines the regions, grapes, methods of production, and styles of Sicily and Sardegna.
What is the climate of Sicily?
Warm Mediterranean.
The 3 main white grapes of Sicily are:
- Catarratto;
- Grillo;
- Inzolia.
All three main white grapes of Sicily are typically fermented at this temperature in this vessel to retain primary fruit flavors.
Medium temperatures in stainless steel.
These grapes are also typically aged in stainless steel for 6 months before bottling.
What is the crossing of Grillo?
Catarratto x Moscato.
Grillo oxidizes easily which means that this kind of winemaking technique is used.
Protective.
Moscato (Muscat of Alexandria) is known as _____ in Sicily.
Zibibbo.
Zibibbo is ____ and ____ resistant, and is used to make a variety of styles of wine.
Heat and drought resistant.
How are Zibibbo vines planted on the island of Pantelleria?
Low bush vines planted in individual planting holes (to about half their final height) to conserve water and give some protection from the wind.
What are the 3 styles of wine made on the island of Pantelleria?
- Dry – stainless steel, released early to retain aromatic Muscat character;
- Late harvest – picked a week later than dry wines with the fermentation being stopped to retain residual sugar;
- Passito – semi-dried grapes, traditionally sun-dried, with high levels of residual sugar.
Because Nero d’Avola is a late ripener, how are some of the vines trained (to help with ripening)?
Close to the ground.
Nero d’Avola is an adaptable variety that also grows acceptably in damper, cooler sites.
What are the Nero d’Avola and Frappato percentages in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?
- 50–70% Nero d’Avola;
- 30–50% Frappato.
Nerello Mascalese is at risk of spring frost and autumn rain.
When does it bud and ripen?
Buds early, ripens late.
What is the elevation range on Etna?
400 - 1000m asl
Is the growing season short or long on Etna?
Long – this intensifies flavors.
Nerello Mascalese is moderately high tannic variety.
How long is a typical skin maceration? How long do some producers leave their wine on the skins?
Typical: 10 - 15 days
Some (e.g. Graci): 30 - 90 days
Etna Rosso DOC
- Minimum ___% Nerello Mascalese.
- Maximum yield is ___ hl/ha.
- Riserva category must be aged ___ in this type of vessel.
- Min. 80% Nerello Mascalese;
- Max yield 56 hl/ha;
- 4 years aging (1 in wood) in 500-600L neutral casks.
The main white grape variety in Etna Bianco DOC is _____.
Carricante.
Carricante must be a minimum ___% in Etna Bianco DOC.
Minimum 60%, though most are 100%.
What is Carricante blended with in Etna Bianco DOC?
Catarratto.
Why is Carricante usually put through malo?
It has high acidity from the large diurnal range.
The maximum yield for white Sicilian DOC wines is ___ hl/ha.
The maximum yield for red Sicilian DOC wines is ___ hl/ha.
White – 91 hl/ha
Red – 84 hl/ha
Sicily has important co-operatives AND a small number of large and influential private companies (e.g. Planeta, Donnafugata and Tasca d’Almerita).
Is this typical or unusual for Italy?
Unusual.
What are the two main white grapes of Sardinia?
- Vermentino;
- Nuragus.
Vermentino is the most important white variety, and white Nuragus is grown mainly for local consumption.
What are the 3 main red grapes of Sardinia?
- Cannonau;
- Carignano;
- Monica.
What is the climate of Sardinia?
Warm Mediterranean.
What are the cooling influences in Sardinia?
- Elevation (it’s a hilly island);
- Sea breezes (which keep fungal disease pressure low).
The most important DOC for Cannonau on Sardinia is ______.
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC.
- The maximum yields for Cannonau di Sardegna DOC is ___hL/ha for the entire DOC. What can that result in?
- What is the maximum yield in the Cannonau di Sardegna Classico zone?
- 77 hl/ha for entire DOC, which can result in low concentration
- 63 hl/ha for Classico zone
Vermentino is early budding making it susceptible to ______.
Spring frosts.
Vermentino ripens in mid-season, making it less prone to _____.
Autumn rain.
Give 2 reasons why Vermentino in Sardinia is mainly aged in stainless steel.
- To keep costs low;
- To avoid overwhelming the delicate aromas of the grape.
What are the 2 important appellations for Vermentino on Sardinia?
What are their maximum yields?
- Vermentino di Sardegna DOC – can be grown anywhere on the island. High yields of up to 112 hl/ha, leading to some wines of low concentration and flavor.
- Vermentino di Gallura DOCG – the northeast corner of the island is Sardinia’s only DOCG. 63 hl/ha.
The main DOC for Carignano on Sardinia is _______.
Carignano del Sulcis DOC.
How are most Carignano vines trained on Sardinia?
Bush.
For the Superiore category, the grapes must come from bush-trained vines (52.5 hl/ha).
Both the Superiore and Riserva categories of Carignano del Sulcis DOC must be aged ___ years.
2 years.
Both inexpensive and premium Carignano del Sulcis DOC wines are fermented at these temperatures.
What’s the difference in their skin maceration times and vessels?
- Warm fermentation temperatures
- Inexpensive: 7-10 day skin maceration (neutral vessels)
- Premium: 15 day skin maceration (usually see French barriques 12-18 mos)
What factors make Grillo very suitable for Sicily’s warm, dry climate?
It is heat resistant and has good disease resistance.
Give a brief description of Grillo.
- Full bodied;
- Medium intensity lemon and floral notes;
- Medium alcohol;
- High acidity.
