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Sicily (Sicilia) Flashcards

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1
Q

Sicily

Most planted grape

A

Cataratto

  • 3rd most cultivated grape in Italy, despite only vineyards in Western Sicily
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2
Q

Who is credited with the discovery of Marsala?

A

John Woodhouse

  • Englishman
  • Discovered on Sicily’s western edge
  • 1773, first to fortify to ensure safe shipment to his home country
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3
Q

Marsala

  • Styles
  • Grapes
A
  • Oro/Ambra:
    • Grillo, Ansonica (Inzolia), Catarratto, Damaschino
  • Rubino:
    • Perricone, Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), Nerello Mascalese
    • max. 30% white grapes
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4
Q

Malvasia delle Liparia DOC

  • Location
  • Styles
  • Grapes
A

Malvasia delle Lipari DOC

  • Small group of islands off the northern coast of Sicily
  • Bianco, Passito, Liquoroso
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5
Q

Narrow waterway that separates Sicily from Calabria

A

Straight of Messina

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6
Q

Sicily

Producers that have led the resurgence of higher quality / lower yields in recent years

A
  • Marco de Bartoli (Marsala)
  • Planeta
  • Palari
  • COS
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7
Q

Faro DOC

  • Location
  • Style
  • Grapes
A
  • Sicily’s extreme NE coast
  • Rosso only
    • 45-60 Nerello Mascalese
    • 15-30 Nerello Cappuccio
    • 5-10 Nocera
    • max 15, alone or comb, Calabrese (Nero d’Avola), Gaglioppo (Montonico Nero), Sangiovese
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8
Q

Marsala

Sweetness levels

A
  • Secco: max. 40 g/l rs
  • Semisecco: 40-100 g/l rs
  • Dolce: min. 100 g/l rs
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9
Q

Sicily

Major white grapes

A
  • Cattaratto
  • Carricante
  • Inzolia (Ansonica)
  • Grillo
  • Grecanico
  • Zibbibo
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10
Q

Zibbibo synonym

A

Muscat of Alexandria

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11
Q

Nero d’Avola synonym

A

Calabrese

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12
Q

Sicily

Most planted red grape

A

Nero d’Avola

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13
Q

Sicily

Sole DOCG

A

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

  • Normale and Classico
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14
Q

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Grapes

A
  • 50-70% Nero d’Avola
  • 30-50% Frappato
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15
Q

Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Soils

A

Iron-rich clay over limestone

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16
Q

DOC contiguous with Cerasuolo di Vittoria

A

Vittoria

  • Rosso: 50-70% Nero d’Avola, 30-50% Frappato
  • Novello: 80% Nero d’Avola and Frappato
  • Varietal: Calabrese, Frappato, Ansonica (Inzolia)
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17
Q

Sicily

Sweet wine DOCs

A
  • Moscato di Noto DOC
  • Moscato di Siracusa DOC (SE; east of Vittoria)**
  • Malvasia delle Lipari DOC (N; off the coast)
  • Moscato di Pantelleria DOC
  • Passito di Pantelleria DOC (SW; off the coast)
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18
Q

Etna DOC

Styles

A
  • Bianco: 60% Carricante, + Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, +
  • Bianco Superiore: 80% Carricante, +
  • Rosato/Rosso/Riserva: 80% Nerello Mascalese, plus Nerello Mantellato, +
  • Spumante: rosato or bianco, 60% Nerello Mascalese, +
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19
Q

Etna Rosso Riserva aging

A
  • 4 yrs, 1 yr wood
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20
Q

Etna Spumante aging

A
  • Metodo Classico
  • 18 mos on the lees
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21
Q

Besides Etna, another DOC based on Nerello Mascalese

A

Faro DOC

  • Rosso only
  • 45-60% Nerello Mascalese, 15-30% Nerello Mantellato, 4-10% Nocera
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22
Q

Sicily

DOC that covers the island

A

Sicilia DOC

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23
Q

Hottest, driest region of Italy

A

Sicily

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24
Q

Political event that created the original demand for Marsala

A

The War of the Spanish Succession

(England v. France)

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25
Sicily's other major grape-derived product
**Concentrated grape musts**, made by vacuum-evaporating or cooking down unfermented juice
26
*latifondo*
* **System of land ownership in Italy** * **Overturned by the Agrarian reforms of the 1950's**
27
*mezzadria*
**Sharecropping** More prevalent in the NORTH than the south of ITALY
28
Two biggest wine producers in the latter part of the 20th century (accounting for nearly all production other than Marsala)
* **Corvo-Duca di Salaparuta** * **Conte Tasca d'Almerita / Regaleali**
29
Where is Marsala, what style of wines are produced?
The western end of Sicily Fortified, often sweet, maybe dry
30
What are the indigenous white grapes of **Sicily**?
**Cattarratto Carricante Inzolia Grillo Grecanico Zibbobo**
30
What are the indigenous red grapes of **Sicily**?
**Nero d'Avola (Calabrese) Nerello Mascalese Nerello Cappuccio (Manatello) Frappato Perricone**
31
Zibbobo is a synonym for:
Muscat of Alexandria
32
Synonym for Nero d'Avola?
Calabrese
33
What is Sicily's most-planted red grape?
Nero d'Avola
34
What's the **sole DOCG of Sicily**?
**Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG** Normale & Classico **50-70% Nero d'Avola (Calabrese) 30-50% Frappato**
35
What are the different aging requirements between Cerasuolo di Vittoria Normale and Classico?
Cerasuolo di Vittoria: May not be sold until June 1 of the year following the harvest Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico: May not be sold until March 31 of the second year following the harvest
36
What are the soils of Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?
Iron-rich clay over limestone
37
What DOC is contiguous with Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?
**Vittoria DOC** Rosso 50% - 70% Calabrese 30% - 50% Frappato **Novello min 80% Calabrese** (Nero d'Avola) and/or Frappato maximum 20% other black grapes Varietal wine: Calabrese (Nero d'Avola) Frappato Ansonica (Insolia/Inzolia) minimum 85% of the stated varietal maximum 15% other grapes of the same color suitable for cultivation in Sicilia
38
What are the sweet wine DOC's of Sicily?
- Moscato di Noto DOC - Moscato di Siracusa DOC (southeast; east of Vittoria) - Malvasia delle Lipari DOC (off the coast, to the north) - Moscato di Pantelleria DOC - Passito di Pantelleria DOC (off the coast, southwest)
39
Pantelleria: Denominazione
Moscato/Moscato Spumante/Moscato Dorato: 250g/L must weight, **100 g/L RS, fortified** **Moscato Liquoroso Passito Liquoroso Passito** Zibbibo Dolce: frizzante (min 1.7 atmospheres) Bianco/Frizzante: 85% Zibibbo [all others are 100%] *Passito is not allowed for wines labeled Moscato
40
Etna DOC: Styles
**Bianco: 60% Carricante**, plus Catarratto Bianco Comune, Catarratto Bianco Lucido, plus **Bianco Superiore: 80% Carricante**, plus **Rosato/Rosso/Riserva: 80% Nerello Mascalese**, plus Nerello Mantellato, plus **Spumante: rosato or bianco, 60% Nerello Mascalese**, plus
41
Etna Rosso Riserva aging:
48mos from 11/1, 12mos in wood
42
Etna Spumante aging:
Metodo Classico 18mos on the lees
43
What other DOC is based on Nerello Mascalese?
**Faro DOC** Rosso only 45-60% Nerello Mascalese 15-30% Nerello Mantellato 4-10% Nocera
44
Which DOC covers the island of Sicily?
Sicilia DOC
45
What is the hottest, driest region of Italy?
Sicily
46
What political event created the original demand for Marsala?
The War of the Spanish Succession (England v. France)
47
What is Sicily’s other major grape-derived product?
Mosto Cotto Concentrated grape musts, made by vacuum-evaporating or cooking down unfermented juice.
48
What is latifondo?
The system of land ownership in Italy, overturned by the Agrarian reforms of the 1950’s.
49
What were the two biggest wine producers in Sicily in the latter part of the 20th century (accounting for nearly all production other than Marsala)?
Corvo-Duca di Salaparuta Conte Tasca d’Almerita / Regaleali
50
Cataratto makes up what percentage of Sicily’s 330,000 acres?
60%
51
What is the **Sirocco**?
**A hot, fierce wind that blows up across the Mediterranean from the Sahara**, mainly affecting Sicily and Sardinia.
52
What are the Aeolian Islands? What DOC encompasses them?
Salina, Lipari, and Vulcano **Malvasia delle Lipari DOC**
53
Which Aeolian Island produces the most wine?
Salina
54
Which two sweet wine DOC’s of Sicily are essentially extinct?
Moscato di Siracusa DOC Moscato di Noto DOC
55
What young winemaker/agronomist did Dr. Giuseppe Benanti hire to kickstart the modern era of winemaking on Etna?
Salvo Foti
56
Besides alcohol, acid, and varietal requirements what must be fulfilled in order for an **Etna Bianco** to call itself **Superiore**?
Must be from the **commune of Milo**
57
What grape varieties may be used in the production of **Marsala Oro/Ambra**?
**Grillo, Ansonica (Inzolio), Catarratto, Damaschino**
58
Who first imported and popularized Marsala wine in England?
John Woodhouse
59
Name at least two of Sicily’s winds and the direction from which they blow?
Levante (E) Scirocco (SE) Ostro (S) Libeccio (SW) Ponente (W)
60
What is the most famous Amaro to hail from Sicily, having been produced there since 1868?
Averna
61
This Sicilian dish has its origins from the time of Arab rule. Resembling the Levantine Kibbeh its name comes from the dish’s resemblance to the island’s rich diversity of citrus fruit.
Arancini
62
Malvasia delle Lipari can be said to come from the Lipari Islands but what is the more common name for this archipelago?
Aeolian Islands
63
Name a producer of varietally-labelled Nerello Cappuccio:
Benanti Tenuta di Fessina Calabretta Feudo Vagliasindi Al-Cantàra
64
What is the min aging for **Marsala Vergine Riserva and Solera Riserva**?
10 years in oak or cherrywood
65
On which side of Mt. Etna are there no vineyards?
West
66
Mt. Etna lies on which side of Sicily
East
67
Name a contrada produced by Passopisciaro:
C - Chiappemachine G - Guardiola P - Porcaria S - Sciaranuova R - Rampante
68
What is **Albarello Pantesco**?
**A unique form of vine training on Pantelleria, gobelet-style with a short truck.** The vine is placed in a shallow hole. The hole does two things, it creates a protective barrier from the wind, and it funnels any moisture and humidity that collects overnight in the form of dew towards the roots of the vine.
69
What is the RS range for Marsala Semisecco?
40-100 g/l
70
Calabria and Sicily are separated by what natural feature?
Straight of Messina
71
What is the name for the Geographical Designations of Etna? How many are there?
Contrade, 142 Arena Bocca d’Orzo Civita Dafara Galluzzo Eremo di S. Emilia Feudo Feudo di Mezzo Fleri Fornazzo
72
Arianna Occhipenti’s Passo Nero is labeled with what lawful designation?
**Terre Siciliane IGP**
73
Who produces “Mille e una Notte”?
Donnafugata, Nero d'Avola
74
Aging requirements for Marsala Vergine Riserva/Solera Stravecchio:
Min 10 years in oak/cherry wood
75
What is **”concia”** and in what styles is it not permitted?
**The addition of mosto cotto** in Marsala *Not permitted for Oro, Rubino styles of Marsala*
76
Who is **Frank Cornelissen** and what are his most prominent bottlings?
A biodynamic producer who owns 19ha at higher elevation of Mt. Etna, producers Nerello Mascalese and Cappucio Pistemuta, Susucaru, Munjebel,
77
What is **Gaja's Sicilian** project?
Idda
78
What 3 grapes in decreasing order must be present in the wines of **Faro DOC**?Who is the top producer here?
**Nerello Mascalese Nerello Cappuccio Nocera** *Palari is the top producer*
79
Legend has it that Apollo was tricked into thinking wine from this DOC was ambrosia, a beverage for gods, that confers immortality upon the imbiber?
**Passito di Pantelleria/Moscato di Pantelleria DOC**
80
What crossing produced **Grillo**?
**Muscat of Alexandria x Catarratto**
81
What are the **3 Moscato DOCs** of Sicily?
**Moscato di Noto DOC Moscato di Siracusa DOC Moscato di Pantelleria**
82
Aging requirements for **Etna Spumante**? Producers?
* **Metodo Classico, 18 mos on the lees** * Murgo Brut, Terrazze dell’Etna
83
Local synonym for Marsala’s “Inzolia”?
Ansonica
84
What is the only DOC in Sicily to ensure **Cabernet Sauvignon** is part of the wine?
**Riesi DOC** Rosso/Novello: **min 80% Calabrese and/or Cabernet Sauvignon** max 20% other non-aromatic black grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia
85
In which doc do you find the lesser-known red grape **Perricone**?
**Contea di Sclafani DOC** Rosso/Rosso Riserva/Novello Varietal: min 85% Rosso: min 50% Calabrese and/or Perricone max 50% other black grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia
86
Which DOC allows for **Syrah**?
**Contessa Entellina DOC** Rosso/Rosato: min 50% Nero d'Avola and/or Syrah max 50% other non-aromatic red grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia
87
What are the parent grapes of **Nerello Mascalese**?
Sangiovese X Mantonico Bianco
88
What is the only commune of production for **Etna Bianco Superiore**?
Milo
89
What are the allowed varietal percentages for **Cerasulo di Vittoria**?
**50-70% Nero d’Avola 30-50% Frappato**
90
What styles in **Pantelleria** allow other grapes other than Zibbibo?
Bianco & Bianco Frizzante allow max 15% other white grapes
91
Who is accredited with “discovering” Marsala…
John Woodhouse – 1773
92
Nerello Mascalese, Lievuso, and Occhi di Lepre all share what same parent?
Sangiovese
93
Who produces the **Ben Ryé** and what is it?
**Donnafugata – Passito di Pantelleria DOC**
93
In terms of sugar, what styles of Sparkling Wine are produced in the **Etna DOC**?
**Brut & Extra Brut only**
94
Are green grape varieties allowed in the production of **Marsala DOC Rubino**?
Yes - 30%
95
In the production of Marsala Vergine DOC, is it fortified? If so, when?
Yes, after fermentation
96
What does the “Classico” designation indicate in Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG?
An additional year of aging
97
This wind brings heatwaves to the island of Sicily and at times can cause “blood rain”:
Scrirocco (SE) – Blood Rain: warm wind from the Sahara + sand + moist air
98
What are the aging requirements for Etna Rosso Riserva?
Minimum 4 years including 12 months in wood
99
What is the name of Sicily's ancient design of high-density vines trained on individual stakes and planted in a square?
Quinconce
100
List the aging distinctions for **Marsala** and their requirements:
**Fine** - 1 year in oak or cherry wood (first 4 months may be in alternative containers) **Superiore** - Min. 2 years in oak or cherry wood **Superiore Riserva** - Min. 4 years in oak or cherry wood **Vergine/Solera** - Min. 5 years in oak or cherry wood **Vergine Riserva/Solera Riserva** - Min. 10 years in oak or cherry wood
101
Body of water that separates Sicily from Calabria
**Strait of Messina**
102
Englishman who discovered and first fortified Marsala to ship to his home country
**John Woodhouse**
103
Sicilian Climate
**Arid, Mediterranean** * Quality vineyards found in the higher altitudes - which allow large diurnal swings that even ripening process
104
Sicily 5 native white grapes
* **Cataratto** * **Inzolia** * **Grecanico** * **Carricante** * **Grillo**
105
Sicily 5 native red grapes
* **Nero d’Avola** * **Frappato** * **Perricone** * **Nerello Mascalese** * **Nerello Capuccio**
106
Calabrese Synonym (aka)
**Nero d’Avola**
107
Sicily Island's most planted grape
**Cataratto** * Found only in the vineyards of Western Sicily * Utilized in the Marsala blends and the Alcamo Bianco DOC table wines
108
Marsala White Grapes
* **Grillo**, **Inzolia**, **Catarratto, Ansonica (Inzolia), Damaschino** * Grillo and Inzolia most preferred * *oro* and ambra *styles*
109
Etna DOC Red Grapes
* **Min 80% Nerello Mascalese**, **Max 20% Nerello Mantellato** (Nerello Cappuccio) * Max 10% non-aromatic white grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia
110
**Etna DOC** White Grapes
**Bianco:** * **Min 60% Carricante** * **Max 40% Catarratto Bianco Comune or Cataratto Bianco Lucido** * Max 15% Trebbiano and/or Minnella Bianca and/or other non-aromatic white grapes suitable for cultivation in Sicilia **Bianco Superiore: Min 80% Carricante**, Max 20% Trebbiano and/or Minnella Bianca and/or other ...
111
**Faro DOC** Grapes
**Rosso (Red Wine Only DOC)** * **45-60% Nerello Mascalese** * **15-30% Nerello Cappuccio** * **5-10% Nocera** * Max 15%, alone or combined, Calabrese (Nero d'Avola), Gaglioppo (Montonico Nero), Sangiovese
112
Sicily Most planted red grape
**Nero d’Avola**
113
What does Cerasuolo mean?
**cherry-red**
114
Sicily 5 DOCs for sweet wines
* **Moscato di Noto DOC** * **Moscato di Siracusa DOC** * **Malvasia delle Lipari DOC** * **Moscato di Pantelleria DOC** * **Marsala DOC**
115
Moscato di Noto and Moscato di Siracusa Size in ha
* **Moscato di Noto 88 ha (LARGER)** * **Moscato di Siracusa 37 ha**
116
What is the **DOC** for sweet wines from the mini island located **near the African coast**?
**Moscato di Pantelleria DOC**
117
What was the wine that possessed such character as to dupe the Greek god Apollo into assuming that he was drinking ambrosia—a beverage, reserved for gods, that confers immortality upon the imbiber?
**Malvasia delle Lipari DOC**
118
DOC for sweet wines from the mini island located near the African coast
**Pantelleria / Moscato di Pantelleria / Passito di Pantelleria DOC**
119
What is the name of the famous sweet wine from Sicily, often referred to as the **”wine of the sun"**?
Marsala
120
Which Sicilian wine is a fortified sweet wine similar to Marsala, but made primarily from the Muscat grape variety?
Moscato di Pantelleria
121
Which Sicilian wine is made using the traditional appassimento method, where grapes are dried before fermentation?
Amarone della Sicilia
122
What is the name of the ancient vine training system used in Southern Italy, where vines are grown as bushes without trellises?
Alberello
123
What is the name of **Benanti’s Metodo Classico wine**? What is the name of their top white wine? What are their 2 top red wines?
* **Noblesse** * **Pietramarina** * **Serra della Contessa / Rovitello**
124
Why can’t **Benanti’s Noblesse Metodo Classico** wine be classified as Etna Spumante? How long total does it spend on the lees?
Because **Etna Spumante DOC** requires at least 60% Nerello Mascalese to be included. **Noblesse is 100% Carricante** The base wine matures on its lees until Spring, and then spends an additional 18 months on the lees after its second fermentation in bottle.
125
How is Benanti’s Pietramarina classified? What grapes are used? Where do the grapes come from? How is the wine aged?
Etna DOC Bianco Superiore 100% Carricante Milo, on the Eastern slope of Etna. 24 months on its lees in stainless steel, followed by 1 year in bottle.
126
**Benanti’s “Rovitello” and “Serra della Contessa”** are both made from ____. Grapes for Serra della Contessa are harvested from: Grapes for Rovitello are harvested from:
Mostly **Nerello Mascalese**, blended w/Nerello Cappuccio. 1. Monte Serra, the lowest elevation site on Etna’s East side, in the town of Viagrande. 2. Rovitello on the North side of Etna, town of Castiglione di Sicilia.
127

Italy - Central/Southern (16 decks)

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