Sicily

Question 1

What is the climate in Sicily?

Is rainfall high or low? What are the implications of this?

Does the region focus more on quality or volume production?

Answer 1

Warm Mediterranean

Low rainfall - irrigation is needed in high production areas

There are large volumes of bulk production as well as some distinctive PDO wines

Question 2

Give the key characteristics of the Cataratto vine

Answer 2

High yielding

Disease resistant

Question 3

Give a typical tasting note for a Cataratto wine

Answer 3

Light intensity
Lemon and herbal notes
High acidity
Medium alcohol
Inexpensive
Acceptable to good

Question 4

Give the key characteristics of the Grillo vine

Answer 4

High yielding
Heat resistant
Disease resistant
Over exposed bunches lose aroma
Must oxidises quickly (needs protective winemaking)
Cataratto and Moscato cross

Question 5

Give a typical tasting note for a Grillo wine

Answer 5

Medium intensity
Lemon, floral notes
High acidity 
Full bodied
Medium alcohol
Good to v. good

Question 6

Give the key characteristics of the Inzolia vine

Answer 6

Early ripening
Disease resistant
Needs picking early to retain acidity

Question 7

Give a typical tasting note for an Inzolia wine

Answer 7

Medium (-) intensity
Lemon
Medium acidity
Medium body
Acceptable to good
Inexpensive to mid priced

Question 8

Where is Alcamo Bianco DOC?

What is the main grape, and what is the minimum required proportion?

What is the maximum yield?

Answer 8

North west Sicily

60% Cataratto (with other specified varieties, local or international, making up the blend)

84hl/ha

Question 9

Zibibbo is the local Sicilian name for which grape?

Answer 9

Moscato / Muscat of Alexandria

Question 10

Give the key characteristics of the Zibibbo vine

Answer 10

Heat resistant

Drought resistant

Question 11

On which island is Zibibbo most commonly planted?

Explain how Zibibbo vines are often trained here and why

Answer 11

Pantelleria - close to Tunisia

Low bush vines
Planted in holes
Conserve water and protect from winds

Question 12

Describe the weather conditions in Pantelleria and what types of grapes are best suited

Answer 12

Intense sunlight
Heat
Drying winds
Only drought resistant varieties can cope

Question 13

What three styles of wine are made in Pantelleria using the Zibibbo grape? Describe the winemaking for each

Answer 13

Dry:
Stainless steel fermentation, early release to retain aromatics

Late harvest:
Picked one week later than grapes for dry wines, stop fermentation early to retain residual sugar

Passito:
Made with semi-dried grapes, traditionally sun dried, wines have high levels of residual sugar

Question 14

Give a typical tasting note for a Passito wine from Pantelleria, naming the main grape variety

Answer 14

Zibibbo
Deep lemon
Pronounced intensity
Cooked orange, apricot, honey
Sweet
High alcohol
Good to outstanding
Premium to super premium

Question 15

Give the key characteristics of the Nero d’Avola vine

Answer 15

Late ripening (train close to ground to maximise heat)
Vigorous
Can suffer uneven ripening
Susceptible to powdery mildew

Question 16

Give a typical tasting note for a Nero d’Avola wine

Answer 16

Medium to deep ruby
Red cherry, black plum
Medium to medium (+) acidity
Medium (+) to high tannin

Question 17

What grapes and in what proportions are permitted in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?

What is the maximum permitted yield?

Answer 17

50 to 70% Nero d’Avola
30 to 50% Frappato - adds strawberry and herbal aroma

52hl/ha

Question 18

Give the key characteristics of the Nerello Mascalese vine

Answer 18

Early budding (spring frost)
Late ripening (autumn rain)
Prone to coulure
Prone to powdery mildew
Prone to botrytis

Question 19

Give a typical tasting note for a Nerello Mascalese wine

Answer 19

Medium to pale ruby
Medium intensity
Cherry, violet, herbal, earthy
High acidity
Medium to high tannin
Medium alcohol (can be high)

Question 20

Why is Nerello Mascalese well suited to being grown on the slopes of Mount Etna?

Answer 20

High altitude (600-1000m)
Long growing season allows for longer ripening (it is a late ripening varietal)
Full development of flavour and tannin while retaining acidity

Question 21

What grapes and in what proportions are permitted in Etna Rosso DOC?

What is the maximum permitted yield?

What is the minimum ageing requirement for Riserva wines?

Answer 21

Min. 80% Nerello Mascalese, remainder Nerello Cappuccio

56hl/ha

4 years, 1 year in wood

Question 22

Give a typical tasting note for an Etna Rosso DOC wine

Answer 22

Pale ruby
Medium intensity
Cherry
High acidity
Medium (+) to high tannins

Question 23

What does Nerello Cappuccio add to blends?

Answer 23

Deep colour

Red berry fruits

Question 24

Give a typical tasting note for a Carricante wine

Answer 24

Medium intensity
Lemon, green apple
High acidity
Medium alcohol

Question 25

Where is Carricante typically grown in Sicily?

How does this affect the final wine

Answer 25

On the slopes of Mount Etna - It is grown successfully at altitudes of up to 1000m where other black grapes would struggle to ripen

Large diurnal range results in high acidity (MLF is often used to soften this)

Question 26

What grapes and in what proportions are permitted in Etna Bianco DOC?

Answer 26

Min. 60% Carricante, remainder Cataratto

The best wines are 100% Carricante

Question 27

What is the maximum yield for Sicilia DOC whites?

What is the maximum yield for Sicilia DOC reds?

Answer 27

Whites: 91hl/ha

Reds: 84hl/ha

Question 28

What types of wine businesses dominate in Sicily?

Answer 28

A small number of large and influential private companies dominate

e.g. Planeta
Donnafugata

Question 29

What is the name of the organisation in Sicily that promotes Sicilian wine?

Answer 29

Assovini Sicilia

Question 30

How many wine businesses are represented by Assovini Sicilia?

What percentage of Sicilian wine by value is represented by this figure

Answer 30

70 wine businesses

80% of Sicilian wine by value