Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

WSET L3 GJR 2020 > Italy > Flashcards

Italy Flashcards

(62 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the acronyms for Italian PDO wines, what do they mean and what conditions are attached?

A

DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Subject to; Geographical boundaries, Limits on grape varieties and rules on production methods.

DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
As above plus Must be bottled in area of prodn and subject to Min Ag tasting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are Italian Classico wines?

Give an example

A

Wines made solely from the ORIGINAL, not expanded, land.
Soave from the plains
Soave Classico from the hillsides

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does ‘Riserva’ on an Italian wine mean?

A

Wine with both higher alc and longer ageing than the minimum for the appelation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the ageing requirement for Chianti Gran Selezione

A

Chianti Gran Selezione 30 months, oak optional but usual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the ageing requirements for
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Brunello di Montalcino

A

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Min 2 years

Brunello di Montalcino 5 years, 2 in oak

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the ageing conditions for:
Barolo
Barbaresco

A

Barolo. 3yrs,

Barbaresco. 2 yrs,

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Generally, what is the climate of Northern Italy?
What role do the Alps play?
What is the influence of rivers e.g. River Po and lakes e.g. Lake Garda?
What happens in areas nearer the sea and name one risk

A

Moderate climate with dry, short, summers
The Alps provide a Northern barrier providing shelter from Northerly rain
Rivers and glacial lakes give a moderating influence to hotter inland areas
Nearer the sea, higher rainfall increasing the risk of fungal disease = more spraying

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

In Northern Italy how were grapes traditionally trained and, increasingly, how are they trained now?
What is a major benefit of this change?

A

Traditionally - high yield vines planted with low density.
Pergola, vine canopy with grapes hanging down = good airflow = less rot and shade against grape sunburn. Still used for high acid, low sugar grapes e.g. For sparkling wine.
Modern - VSP training allows higher density but fewer grapes per vine = better quality grapes. Overall increased prodn per hectare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the characteristics of Pinot Grigio
At altitude?
On the plains?

A

@ Altitude - dry, light to med body, hi acid, citrus and green fruit
On the plains - Med body, med acid with ripe stone fruit flavours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Pinot Grigio is key in which 6 regions?

A

Alto Adige, Trentino, Friulli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Colli Oriental and Veneto.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where is Gargenega, primarily, grown?

A

Gargenega = Soave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is Trebbiano like and what is it used for?

A

High yield grape, usually simple and fruity for IGT wines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are IGT wines?

A

PGI wines of Italy

IGT = Indicazione Geographica Tipica

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Where is Chardonnay largely grown, in Northern Italy, and what is it used for?

A

Largely grown on Veneto plains and used in IGT wines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is Cortese, what does it taste like and where is it, predominantly used?

A

White grape, high acidity, floral, pale, light, body with aromas citrus, green apple and pear.
Mainly used in Gavi

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is Nebbiolo, what does it taste like and where is it mainly used?

A

Black grape, high acidity and tannin but light colour.
At altitude it has aromas of sour cherries, roses, herbs and dried flowers. With age develops Tar, truffle and leather
Used in Barolo and Barbaresco

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is Barbera, what’s it like and where is it mainly used?

A

Black grape, similar to Nebbiolo but lower tannin and higher acidity.),
Aromas of red cherries, plums and sometimes black pepper. Can be youthful and fruity or barrel aged for spicy flavours.
Mainly Barbera d’Alba DOC and the higher quality Barbera d’Asti DOCG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is Dolcetto like and where is it mainly used?

A

Black grape, likes cooler sites. Deep colour, high tannin (double t in its name!), med acidity. Aromas black plums, red cherries and dried herbs. Drunk young or aged
Mainly used Dolcetta d’Alba DOC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is Corvina like and where is it mainly used?

A

Black grape, thin skin, moderate colour, low~med tannin with hi acidity (more at altitude) giving red cherry flavour.
Mainly used in Valpolicella

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Which is Italy’s most northerly wine region and what is mainly produced there?

A

Alto Adige

Aromatic whites mainly from Pinot Grigio but also Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where is Trentino DOC, where are vines planted and what is mainly grown there?

A

Just south of Alto Adige
Vines on both slopes and valley floor
Mainly Pinot Grigio plus some Chardonnay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Where is Friuli - Venezia Giulia, what is the climate like and what grapes are mainly grown there and what is the style like?

A

NE corner of Italy, stretches from foothills of Alps to near the Adriatic coast.
Near the Alps - Moderate continental, cooled by mountain air
Nearer the coast - Warm Maritime
Mainly Pinot Grigio - med to full body, juicy peach.
Also some Merlot

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are the DOCs of Friuli - Venezia Giulia and what is the style of wine from each?

A

Friuli Grave DOC - wines from the plain, white, simple, fruity
Collio DOC and Colli Orientali DOC - Hills, more concentrated whites

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What are the WSET regions of Northern Italy? 5

A 
Alto Adige
Trentino
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Piemonte
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Where is Veneto? What are its two most famous appellations? What else does it produce
NE Italy, from S end of Lake Garda to Venice in the east Soave and Valpolicella Also produces bulk wines from Pinot Grigio, chardonnay, merlot, corvina, gargenega and trebbiano labelled as Veneto IGT
26
What is the main grape grown in Soave? What is sweet Soave called?
Gargenega Recioto di Soave DOCG
27
What is the main grape grown in Valpolicella? How is the wine labelled What is sweet Valpolicella called?
Corvina Hills - Valpolicella Classico / Plain - Valpolicella Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
28
What is Passito and what is the most famous wine made from it in Valpolicella? There's also a sweet wine made using the same method, what's that called?
A process whereby grapes picked early when still have high acidity, dried indoors to concentrate colour, sugars and flavour Most famous - Amarone Della Valpolicella Sweet - Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
29
What is the style of Amarone Della Valpolicella?
Dry or off dry, full body, hi alc, med~hi tannin Intense with concentrated red berry and spice. Aged in large oak
30
Decribe Ripasso.
Literally meaning 're-passed' wine is racked off almost fermented Amarone leaving the skins. The skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that's already finished fermenting. The traces of yeast on the Amarone skins re-start fermentation and the skins give off more colour, flavour and tannin. The finished wine has a med~full body, med to hi tannin with flavours of stewed cherries and plums and is labelled Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
31
Where is Piemont, what is the climate like and what are potential climatic risks? What are the predominant grapes and at what altitude are the grapes grown?
NW Italy with mountains to the north providing a 'shadow' giving protection from northerly rain and winds. Climate is moderate continental with long cold winters and summers with a risk of thunderstorms, hail and fog Grapes are Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto.
32
What grape is used to make Barbaresco?
Nebbiolo
33
What grapes are mainly grown in Asti and Alba and what are the wines produced?
Barbera and Dolcetto Barbera d'Alba DOC and the higher quality Barbera d'Asti DOCG Dolcetto d'Alba DOC
34
Where is Gavi, what is made there and what grape is used?
Located SE Piemont White wine region with wines made from Cortese grape Normally fermented protectively in S. Steel.
35
What are the WSET regions of Central Italy? 5
Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Marche and Abruzzo
36
Where is 'Central Italy' and what is the climate?
Centre of Italy, either side of the Apennines with plantings in hills and valleys of mountain ranges, cooled by altitude and sea breezes
37
Tuscany is roughly divided into 3 parts, what are they?
Mountainous Chianti in the north Hills and valleys in the south Flat coastal plain
38
What is the primary grape of Tuscany? | What are its characteristics?
Sangiovese Late ripening, needs warmth, high acidity and tannin, red cherries and plums. Usually oak aged to soften tannins and add spicy flavours
39
Which sub zone does Chianti Classico come from? | Where is it? Hong long must the wines be aged for?
Chianti Classico is its own specific zone so does not come from the other sub zones. The vineyards are at higher altitude so = slower ripening giving wines with greater acidity. Min 12 months ageing Chianti Classico Riserva must be aged min 24 months of which at least 3 in oak.
40
What is Chianti Gran Selezione? | Labelling conditions?
The highest designation of Chianti Classico. Grapes must from a single estate and aged 30 months. Oak optional but usually used
41
What is the climate like in Southern Tuscany and what are the two prime wines produced?
Lower altitude so warmer but with cool maritime breezes Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 100% Sangiovese Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG - Blend Sangiovese and others
42
What are declassified Brunello di Montalcino DOCG | And Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG called and why might they be declassified?
Rosso di Montalcino and Rosso di Montepulciano De classified in poor years or if young vines
43
Where were 'Super Tuscan' wines born, what is the climate, what is the main DOC and what grapes can be used?
Tuscany coast Flat but cooled by sea breezes Bolgheri DOC Bolgheri permits many non Italian grapes but most are based on Sangiovese
44
What is the main wine produced in Umbria and from what grapes?
Mainly Orvieto DOC - light white, med~hi acid, flavours of ripe grapefruit and peach A blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano, better wine have more Greschetto
45
What is the main wine produced in Lazio, what grapes are used to make it?
Frascati DOC - fresh unoaked, med body, med~hi acid, citrus fruit and blossom. Blend Malvasia and Trebbiano
46
Where is Marche, what is produced there and what is the best known DOC?
East side of Apennines Verdicchio grape - Hi acid, green apples, lemons and sometimes fennel and almonds Verdicchio die Castelli di Jesi DOC
47
Where is Abruzzo, what grape is predominant, what's it like and what is the best known DOC?
South of Marche Montepulciano grape - Hi colour and tannin, med acid, black plum and cherry. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
48
What is the climate of Southern Italy, where are vines planted?
Hot and dry inland and humid by the coast. | Many vineyards on slopes of Apennines giving some altitude cooling, there are also sea breezes on the Puglia peninsula
49
What is the topography of Campania?
Mountains, valleys and a coastal plain
50
What are the predominant white grapes of Campania?
Fiano - Med acid, med~full body, stone fruit, melon and mango Greco - High acidity, lean, green apple, stone fruit and passion fruit Fiano di Avelino DOCG Greco di Tufo DOCG
51
What is the predominant black grape of Campania, what is it like and what is the main DOCG?
Aglianico, deep colour, hi acid and tannin. Black fruit and oak Taurasi DOCG
52
Where are most DOCGs in Southern Italy?
Campania
53
What is the topography of Basilicata What is the name of the local volcano Predominant grape? Local DOC?
Very mountainous to 900 metres Monte Vulture Aglianico Aglianico del Vulture DOC
54
What is the climate like in Puglia?
Hot but with sea breeze cooling on the Puglia peninsula
55
What are the key black grapes of Puglia, what are they like and what is produced with them?
Negroamaro - med tannin and acidity, hi alc, baked red and black fruit. Primitivo (Zinfandel) - med tannin and acidity, hi alc, very ripe berry fruit. Puglia IGT Salice Salentino DOC
56
What is the main Italian grape grown in Sicily, what is it like and what is made from it? Also what are the leading International black and white grapes grown?
Nero d'Avola - med to full body, med acid and tannin, plum and black cherry. Fruity for early drinking but can be more complex. IGT Terre di Sicilia / Terre Siciliane If lower yields = Sicilia DOC Syrah and Chardonnay
57
XXXXXX del Vulture | Which region?
Aglianico del Vulture DOC
58
Two leading black grapes of Puglia?
``` Negroamaro Primitivo (Zinfandel) ```
59
Best DOC from Puglia made from Negroamaro?
Salice Salentino DOC
60
What are the two black grapes of Etna DOC?
Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappucio
61
Best red wine DOCG of Umbria?
Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
62
Which Italian black grape is mainly used in Trentino?
Teroldego - Trentino DOC - Deep colour, med~hi tannin, hi acid, aromas of black fruit, normally matured in oak.

WSET L3 GJR 2020 (31 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions