Sicilia** Flashcards
(188 cards)
1
Q
Compare the latitude of Vittoria, Sicilia with Tunis.
A
Tunis is further south by (only) 17 km.
2
Q
What are the DOCG’s of Sicilia?
A
only Cerasuolo di Vittoria
3
Q
What grapes are used in Cerasuolo di Vittoria?
A
Nero d’Avola [50-70%]and Frappato [30-50%] (both native)
4
Q
What is the most highly regarded grape grown on Mount Etna?
A
Nerello Mascalese
5
Q
Where is Faro DOC?
A
Northeastern tip (faro = lighthouse at Staits of Messina)
6
Q
What is the blending formula for Faro Rosso?
A
Nerello Cappuccio (15-30%), Nerello Mascalese (45-60%), Nocera (5-10%) [Small amount of other native grapes are allowed.]
7
Q
What is the major city in Faro DOC?
A
Messina
8
Q
What is a typical tasting note for Cerasuolo di Vittoria’s wine?
A
a lightly coloured yet powerful red with cherry scents and notes of leather, prunes, chocolate and tobacco with age.
9
Q
What is the dominant grape is used for wine from Bianco d’Alcamo DOC?
A
Made from 80% Catarratto grapes
10
Q
Name two Sicilian outlying islands and their associated DOC’s.
A
Lipari - Malvasia delle Lipari DOC and Pantelleria - Pantelleria DOC
11
Q
Name a sweet white wine from a Sicilian island.
A
Moscato di Pantelleria, Naturale and Passito Extra; Malvasia delle Lipari
12
Q
How much of Sicily’s wine is made by co-operatives?
A
Around 75% of Sicily’s wine is made by co-operatives, {made-in-italy.com}
13
Q
Sicilia is located in what part of the Mediterranean Sea?
A
center, strategic importance
14
Q
Catarratto Bianco is native to where?
A
considered an ancient Sicilian grape
15
Q
What is the white workhourse grape of Sicilia?
A
Catarratto Bianco
16
Q
What were the main Greek contributions to viticulture in Sicilia?
A
alberello training, pruning techniques and wine preservation techniques
17
Q
What is the capital of Sicilia?
A
Palermo
18
Q
What city represents Sicilia Barocca?
A
Noto and Ragusa
19
Q
Name 5 active volcanoes in Italy during the last 200 years.
A
Mount Etna (continuous,) Stromboli (continuous,) Mount Vesuvius (1944, the only active volcano in mainland Europe,) Pantelleria (submarine eruption 1891 and short-lived Isola Ferdinandea 1831,) Vulcano (1890)
20
Q
What were the famous wines from Ancient Sicilia?
A
Byblinos from Siracusa and Murgentinum from central Sicilia
21
Q
What was the viticultural impact of the Romans in Sicilia?
A
tear out vines and plant grains instead
22
Q
What was the viticultural impact of the Arabs in Sicilia?
A
wine not permitted, but improved agricultural techniques were introduced which contributed to better raisins
23
Q
Who took the lead in promoting Marsala wine?
A
John Woodhouse
24
Q
What are the 5 autonomous regions in Italy?
A
Sardinia, Sicily, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Aosta Valley and Friuli-Venezia Giulia {FASST autos]
25
What is the largest island in the Mediterranean?
Sicilia
26
What is the largest region in Italy?
Sicilia
27
What is the southern most region in Italy?
Sicilia
28
What is the largest island off Sicilia?
Pantelleria
29
What is the closest Italian outpost to North Africa?
Pantelleria
30
What is the climate of Sicilia?
Mediterranean, warm dry summer and mild, wet winters
31
What is the risk of fungal disease in Sicilia? Why?
low, due to constant sea breezes.
32
Where is the warmest part of Sicilia?
southern and western parts are warmer due to Sirocco (Scirocco) winds
33
What is a Bentu de Soli wind?
an east wind on the coast of Sardinia.
34
What is a Bora wind?
a cold, northerly wind blowing from the Hungarian basin into the Adriatic Sea.
35
What is a Borasco wind?
a thunderstorm or violent squall, especially in the Mediterranean.
36
What is a Sirocco wind?
a warm wind of the Mediterranean area, a hot southerly wind in advance of a low pressure area moving from the Sahara or Arabian deserts. Called LEVECHE in Spain.
37
What is a Gregale wind?
a strong northeast wind of the central Mediterranean.
38
What is a Maestro wind?
a northwesterly wind with fine weather which blows, especially in summer, in the Adriatic. It is most frequent on the western shore. This wind is also found on the coasts of Corsica and Sardinia.
39
What is a Tramontana wind?
a northeasterly or northerly winter wind off the west coast of Italy. It is a fresh wind of the fine weather mistral type.
40
What is a Mistral wind?
A cold, dry wind blowing from the north over the northwest coast of the Mediterranean Sea, particularly over the Gulf of Lions. Also called CIERZO.
41
Where is the lowest rainfall in Sicilia?
west and south, 20-25 inches per year, subject to summer drought (Pantelleria is also very dry, 19 inches/year)
42
What are the soils in the western area and southeastern corner of Sicilia?
limestone and calcareous-clay
43
What are the soils in the northeastern corner of Sicilia?
mix of metamorphic and igneous rock
44
What are the soils in the upper Belice river valley and the Caltanisetta province of Sicilia?
marine-clay sedimentary
45
What are the soils in the northwestern area of Sicilia?
clay, sandstone and marl
46
What are the soils in the Mount Etna area of Sicilia?
volcanic
47
Where are the Aeolian Islands?
north of Mount Etna
48
Where is the Mounti Iblei plateau?
inland from Syracuse
49
What is the red/white mix of planted grapes in Sicilia?
60+% white, red grape plantings are increasing, almost doubled in the last 30 years
50
How does the red/white mix of planted grapes vary by location across Sicilia?
White grapes predominate in the west and red grapes predominate in the east.
51
What is the contribution of native varieties for vineyards in Sicilia?
almost 80% native grapes, but most of this production is bulk wine
52
What is the most widely planted grape in Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco ("white workhorse grape," 1/3 of total vineyards, but decreasing)
53
What are the 5 major white grapes planted in Sicilia?
Catarratto Bianco, Grillo, Zibbibo, Malvasia di Lipari, Carricante
54
What are the major native red grapes planted in Sicilia for quality wine?
Nero d'Avola and Nerello Macalese
55
What important grapes are genetically related to Catarratto Bianco (CB)?
Grillo is a cross between CB and Muscat di Alexandria (Zibibbo); CB is parent/off-spring of Garganega; CB is half-sibling/grandparent to Trebbiano Toscano (Robinson) [GGTT]
56
What are the biotypes of Catarratto Bianco? What are the differences?
CB Comune and CB Lucido. Lucido is considered higher quality with smaller berries, lower sugar level and higher acid
57
Where is most of the Catarratto Bianco grown?
western Sicilia
58
What is the etymology of Grillo?
not cricket (from Italian,) but pips (from Sicilian dialect)
59
Reductive wine making techniques has what effect on Grillo wine?
creates aromas of fresh cut grass, grapefruit and passion fruit similar to Sauvignon Blanc
60
What factors have influenced plantings of Grillo?
replantings after phylloxera led to increased planting in search of quality; planting in the second half of 20th century led to decreased plantings due to lower productivity of Grillo
61
Grillo is native to where?
considered a traditional Sicilian grape (strong genetic evidence)
62
Where is most of the Grillo grown?
northwestern Sicilia, province of Trapani
63
Inzolia is native to where?
Sicilia
64
What is the most important synonym for Insolia?
Ansonica in Tuscany
65
What is a foehn wind?
a type of dry, warm, down-slope wind that occurs in the lee of a mountain range. It is a rain shadow wind that results from the subsequent adiabatic warming of air that has dropped most of its moisture on windward slopes.
66
Zibibbo is the Sicilian synonym for what grape?
Moscato di Alessandria; however, the name Zibibbo pre-dates the current common name
67
Zibibbo is native to where?
unlikely Egypt, ancient grape most likely from Southern Italy or Greece
68
What is the etymology of Zibibbo?
from Arabic word zabib, meaning raisin
69
What are the likely parents of Zibibbo?
Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains (from Greece or Italy, not France!) and Axina de Tres Bias (from Sardegna)
[muscAT Blanc + ATB]
70
Where is the largest concentration of Zibibbo plantings?
Pantelleria
71
Carricante is native to where?
Catania Province, Sicilia
72
Describe the acid structure of Carricante.
high in malic acid
73
What is the main grape in Etna Bianco DOC wines?
Carricante
74
Carricante's main association is with what DOC?
Etna Bianco DOC
75
Lipari belongs to what geological group?
the volcanic Aeolian Islands
76
What are the synonyms for the grape Malvasia di Lipari?
Malvasia di Sardegna and Greco Bianco (Calabria)
77
What is the historic name for Nero d'Avola?
Calabrese or Calavrisi
78
What is the etymology of Calabrese?
from Calavrisi, or "coming from Avola"
79
What is the training for Nero d'Avola?
alberello
80
What is the structure of Nero d'Avola wine?
deep intensity of color, fine smooth tannins, soft texture, full body and typically high alcohol balanced by fresh acidity
81
Nerello Macalese is native to where?
Etna, also traditional in Faro DOC
82
Frappato is historically linked to what town?
Vittoria
83
What is the role of international grapes in Sicilia?
Introduced in 1980's, most commonly Syrah, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, accounting for 20% of planted grapes
84
What are the two most widely planted red grapes in Sicilia?
Nero d'Avola (southeastern and central) and Syrah (western)
85
In what part of Sicilia is Syrah most commonly planted?
western
86
What are the two most common international grapes planted in Sicilia?
Syrah and Chardonnay
87
What is the role of Syrah in Sicilia?
The most common international grape; it is blended with Nero d'Avola and also made as a varietal wine
88
What producers successfully bottled varietal Chardonnay in the 1980's?
Tasca (ironic due to current interest in native grapes) and Planeta (also moving to native grapes)
89
Describe the transition of training systems in Sicilia?
traditionally alberello for high alcohol and body (now 10%); later tendone, then modern methods with vertical trellising such as Guyot and Cordone Speronato (now 80%)
90
What is the effect of alberello training?
low yields, high in sugar and extract, resulting in high alcohol and concentrated flavors, high labor costs
91
What is the effect of tendone training?
more productive and less labor intensive than alberello
92
Name two modern vertical trellising methods.
Guyot and Cordone Speronato
93
Which Italian wine region has the most land under vine?
Sicilia
94
How does Sicilia rank among Italian wine regions in productivity/
3rd or 4th (12%)
95
What is the wine quality pyramid in Sicilia?
20/40/40 (DOC/G portion jumped from 5% with Sicilia DOC; IGT and bulk [was 70%] decreasing)
96
As bulk wine in Sicilia decreases, which regional appellations are increasing?
Sicilia DOC and Terre Siciliane IGT
97
What are the 3 historic administrative sub-divisions of Sicilia?
Val Demone (northeast), Val di Noto (southeast), Val di Mazara (western)
98
Name two important DOC's from each of the 3 historic administrative sub-divisions of Sicilia?
Faro DOC, Etna DOC; Marsala, Contea de Sclafani; Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Eloro DOC
99
What the major grapes of Etna DOC?
Nerello Mascalese and Carricante
100
Who was responsible for the improved quality of Etna DOC in the 1990's?
Benanti Estate and Salvo Foti
101
Who was responsible for the improved quality of Etna DOC in the 2000's?
Passopisciaro, Tenuta delle Terre Nere and Frank Cornelissen
102
In which Italian region are the contrade most relevant for viniculture?
Sicilia
103
In which Italian appellation are the contrade incorporated on the labels?
Etna DOC
104
What is the climate in Etna DOC?
cool continental due to altitude
105
What is the rainfall in Etna?
high, 40-47 inches a year, especially in the east in the autumn and winter
106
Describe the vintage variation in Etna.
High, both year to year and site to site.
107
What aspect of Etna promotes white grape viticulture?
altitude
108
What part of Etna emphasizes white grape viticulture?
southern, at higher altitude
109
In Etna, what altitude is best for red grapes?
up to 2900 ft
110
In Etna, what altitude is best for white grapes?
up to 3900 ft
111
Why is alberello training common in Etna?
pre-phylloxera rootstocks in volcanic soil; low training promotes better ripening
112
What is blending formula for Etna Rosso?
at least 80% Nerello Mascalese, up to 20% Nerello Cappuccio
113
What is blending formula for Etna Bianco?
minimum of 60% Carricante (often more)
114
What village is uniquely associated with Etna Bianco Superiore?
Milo, between Catania and Messina
115
What are defining characteristics of the climate in Faro DOC?
Mediterranean with high rainfall and high winds
116
What coast is associated with Faro DOC?
both Ionian and Tyrrhenian
117
Describe the soils of Faro DOC?
alluvial over schist with sand predominance on Ionian coast and clay predominance over Tyrrhenian coast [ions = grains of sand; Tyrrhenian along the C-shaped dorsiflexed aspect of ankle]
118
What is relevance of Val Demone?
Historic administrative sub-division of Italy in the northeast corner [Demone = Demon Straits of Messina]
119
What is relevance of Val di Noto?
Historic administrative sub-division of Sicilia in the southeast corner [Noto = known, Syracuse KNOWN as birth place of Archimedes]
120
What is relevance of Val di Mazara?
Historic administrative sub-division of western Sicilia [Marzara > Marsala]
121
What are the most important native and traditional grapes of Val di Noto?
Nero d'Avola, Frappato, Moscato Bianco
122
What are the most important native and traditional grapes of Val Demone?
Nerello Mascalese and Carricante
123
What percent of the vineyards of Etna DOC are planted with white grapes?
< 5%, mostly Carricante
124
What is relevance of Catania?
Sicilian province (Etna DOC) and second largest city of Sicily, founded by Greeks as Katánē about 730 BCE
125
Who was responsible for the improved quality of Etna DOC in the 1980's?
IRVV (Istituto Regionale della Vite e del Vino)
126
What is relevance of Benanti estate?
worked with Salvo Foti to improve wine quality in Etna DOC in the 1990's
127
What is relevance of Salvo Foti?
worked with Benanti Estate to improve wine quality in Etna DOC in the 1990's
128
What is relevance of IRVV?
Istituto Regionale della Vite e del Vino, governmental research institute started in the 1950's to improve Sicilian wine
129
What is relevance of IRVOS?
2011 evolution of IRVV to Regional Wine and Oil Institute of Sicily, a governmental agricultural agency
130
What is relevance of Passopisciaro, Tenuta delle Terre Nere and Frank Cornelissen?
worked to improve wine quality in Etna DOC in the 1990's
131
What is relevance of Milo?
a village associated with Etna Bianco Superiore
132
Where is Contea di Sclafani located?
Inland in north central Sicilia - Sclafani Bagni is also the name of a medieval city, which was established by the powerful Sclafani family on what was most likely a Byzantine settlement.
One of the large landowners in the region is the Tasca d'Almerita family (known for their excellent IGT wine, Regaleali).
133
What is the name of ancient people from Sicilia?
Siculi (Sicels)
134
Who were the first to colonize Sicilia?
Phoenicians founded Palermo (as Ziz - flower) in 734 BCE
135
When did the Greeks conquer Palermo?
Although the Greeks had great influence along with the founding Phoenicians in Palermo, they never fully conquered the city.
136
Who divided Sicily into the 3 major historic districts?
Arabs divided Sicilia into three major districts
137
Salina belongs to what geological group?
volcanic islands of the Aeolian Islands, along with Lipari
138
On which island are most of the vineyards in the Aeolian archipelago?
island of Salina [not Lipari!]
139
What is the Canale di Sicilia?
aka Straits of Sicily, section of Mediterranean Sea between southern coast of Sicilia and Tunisia
140
How does the nature of the Carricante grape influence wine making?
high acid suggests late picking and leaving wine on its lees for several months to promote MLF
141
What is the structure of Nerello Mascalese wine?
pale to medium intensity of color, aromas of red fruit, aromatic herbs, spices and minerals, smooth tannins, high alcohol and lively acidity
142
What is the significance of Carthage to the history of wine?
Carthage, just outside of modern-day Tunis and 200 miles from Sicily, was the Phoenicians' most successful colony and a center of wine production
143
What is the most prestigious producer of Contea di Sclafani DOC?
Tasca d'Almerita
144
Where are sandstone and limestone soils in Contea di Sclafani DOC?
higher altitudes (up to 3300 ft)
145
What are the principal grapes in Contea di Sclafani DOC?
Nero d'Avola, Perricone and Catarratto
146
What are the permitted wines in Contea di Sclafani DOC?
Rosso and Bianco (also as riserva and vendemmia tardiva)
147
Describe the geographic differences between Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and Vittoria DOC?
They cover the same area.
148
What is the climate in Contea di Sclafani DOC?
Mediterranean, hot and arid
149
What is the idea soil for Frappato?
terra rossa
150
What is the contribution of Frappato to Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine?
lighter body, aromatics
151
What is the contribution of Nero d'Avola to Cerasuolo di Vittoria wine?
color and body (richness and fullness)
152
Is the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG contiguous?
No
153
What is the smaller isolated portion of the Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG known for?
Nero d'Avola production
154
Describe the geographic differences between Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG and the classical zone.
the classical area includes the majority of the DOCG
155
What are the five wines from Vittoria DOC?
varietal Frappato, Nero d'Avola, Inzolia, as well as a rosso blend and novello
156
Where is Eloro DOC located?
southeastern corner of Sicilia
157
Which appellation is the traditional home of Nero d'Avola?
Eloro DOC
158
What is the most important wine of Eloro DOC?
varietal Nero d'Avola
159
What is the etymology of Frappato?
possible corruption of fruttato - fruitful (Robinson)
160
What is the closest genetic relative of Frappato?
possibly Sangiovese (Robinson: parent-offspring) Gaglipoppo (sibling)
161
What is the synonym for Perricone used in Eloro?
Pignatello
162
What is the significance of Pachino?
a sub-zone of Eloro DOC for Nero d'Avola
163
What is Perla Nera?
black pearl, nickname for Pantelleria based on soils
164
What is Montagna Grande?
highest peak of Pantelleria
165
What are the crops of Pantelleria?
grapes and capers
166
What is the vine training in Pantelleria?
version of alberello (Pantesco - UNESCO List in a shallow hole (conca) to protect from winds and collect moisture
167
What is the major grape in Pantelleria?
Zibibbo
168
What is distinctive about the appassimento of grapes on Pantelleria?
drying of grapes usually occurs in sun (not indoors on racks or rope)
169
What are stenditoi?
open-air spots often enclosed by stone walls for drying grapes in the sun on Pantelleria
170
What are the two main styles of wine from Pantelleria DOC?
Passito di Pantelleria and Moscato di Pantelleria
171
Describe the vinification of Passito di Pantelleria.
During fermentation of freshly picked grapes, air-dried grapes are added at different intervals.
172
Who is the most renowned producer of Malvasia delle Lipari DOC?
Carlo Hauner, starting in the 80's.
173
What is the blending formula for Malvasia delle Lipari?
min 95% Malvasia di Lipari and min 5% Corinto Nero (or Sangiovese) [Sangiovese is half Calabrian!]
174
What is the minimum RS for Malvasia delle Lipari Passito
6%
175
What does a label of Malvasia delle Lipari (without Passito) indicate?
sweet late harvest grapes without appassimento
176
What was the motivation for the creation of the Sicilia DOC in 2012?
a regional appellation that forbids bottling outside the region
177
Name appellations based on Nero d'Avola?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Contea di Sclafani Rosso DOC, Eloro DOC
178
Describe the topography of Sicilia.
2/3 hills, 1/4 mountains (mostly in the north)
179
What are the components of the Sicilian Apennines?
Peloritani, Nebrodi, Madonie
180
What is the largest plain in Sicily?
Catania plain, between Etna and Mont Iblei
181
Name the important rivers in Sicily.
Salso (aka Imera Meridionale) - flows south to Sicilian Channel
Simeto - flows SE to Ionian
Belize - starts in SW and empties into Sicilian Channel
182
What is a baglio?
Traditional Sicilian farmhouse, rectangular in shape and often with a central courtyard
183
What is the blending formula for Cerasuolo di Vittorio DOCG?
50-70% Nero d'Avola and 30-50% Frappato
184
Where is terra rossa found in Sicilia?
Ceraiolo di Vittoria DOCG
185
Name a discontinuous appellation in Sicilia.
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG
186
What was John Woodhouse's contribution to Sicilia's wine industry?
He developed the modern style of Marsala and created a market for it in the United Kingdom.
187
What is the flagship Sicilian red grape?
Nero d'Avola
188
What is Grecanico?
tradition blending grape in western Sicilia; synonym for Garganega (Soave)
