Wset Level 3 - Chapter 28 Central Italy

Front 1

Central Italy grape growing

Back 1

South of the Po Valley the Apennine Mountains dominate (they run the length of the Italian Peninsula)

Grapes are planted in the hills and valleys of this mountain with altitude providing a moderating influence on hot climate.

Coastal regions of both sides benefit from cooling sea breezes

Front 2

Where lies Tuscany?

Back 2

Stretches down the western coast of Central Italy

Front 3

The region of Tuscany can be divided into 3 parts. Which?

Back 3

1. The mountainous Chianti region in the north

2. The hills and valleys to the south

3. The flat coastal plain

Front 4

Which is dominant and most prestigious grape?

Back 4

Sangiovese

Front 5

Sangiovese characteristic

Back 5

late ripening (needs a warm climate)

high tannin and acidity

red cherry aromas, plums and dried herbs

Front 6

is that aged?

Back 6

Usually in oak, to soften the tannins and sometimes add spicy flavours.

Both small barrels and larger casks can be used.

Front 7

Which aromas are developed with bottle age?

Back 7

meaty and gamey aromas

Front 8

Where is Chianti located?

Back 8

In the foothills of the Apennines between the cities of Pisa, Florence and Siena.

Front 9

Chianti covers a wide area that is divided into...

Back 9

seven sub-zones

Front 10

Which grapes are often blended with Sangiovese?

Back 10

both French and Italian origin

Front 11

High volumes Chianti will be labelled

Back 11

Chianti DOCG

Front 12

Higher quality Chianti may be made...

Back 12

from the grapes from particular sub-zones, the name of which can appear on the label, ex. Chianti Rufina DOCG, Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG

Front 13

What is Chianti Classico DOCH

Back 13

It has its own DOCG.

Its vineyards are at higher altitudes than those of Chianti DOCG

Front 14

What gives higher altitudes of Classico?

Back 14

Slow the ripening of Sangiovese resulting in wines with greater acidity and more herbal aromas.

Front 15

How long must be aged Chianti Classico?

Back 15

12 months before being released onto the market

Front 16

How long must be aged Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG?

Back 16

24 months of which at least 3 months bottle ageing

Front 17

How long must be aged Chianti Classico Gran Selezione?

Back 17

30 months and grapes must be sourced from a single estate.

Front 18

Are there stipulations concerning oak ageing?

Back 18

No, but in practice, the vast majority of wines are matured in oak for at least part of their time before release.

Front 19

Souther Tuscany vineyards location

Back 19

lower altitudes than those in the north and have a warmer climate.

Front 20

What can moderate their temperatures?

Back 20

cool maritime breezes from the south-west.

Front 21

Which are the best-known appellations?

Back 21

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

and

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Front 22

Wines from this part tend to be...

Back 22

more intense and fuller-bodied than those from Chianti (its because of the climate)

Front 23

Brunello di Montalcino stipulations

Back 23

100% Sangiovese

minimum ageing of 5 years (2 of which must spend in oak)

Front 24

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano stipulations

Back 24

can be a blend of Sangiovese with other permitted varieties

minimum ageing of 2 years

Front 25

What is Rosso di Montalcino DOC and Rosso di Montepulciano DOC?

Back 25

Declassification from Brunello and Vino Nobile DOCG when for example there is a poor vintage or the vines are very young.

Front 26

What cools Tuscany's flat coastal region?

Back 26

Sea breezes rather than altitude

Front 27

Which grapes are planted here?

Back 27

Black Bordeaux varieties and a number of other international grapes

Front 28

What's 'Super-Tuscan'?

Back 28

The original wine was made from Cabernet Sauvignon and sold from premium price despite not being eligible for PDO status.

High-quality wines from international varieties, sometimes with Italian varieties as a part of the blend.

It re-established Italy's reputation.

Front 29

How are they labelled?

Back 29

Toscana IGT but recently formed appellations of Bolgheri DOC and Maremma Toscana DOC permit wines made entirely from non-Italian varieties.

Front 30

Umbria's climate

Back 30

Similar to Tuscany but is more continental without any influence from the Mediterranean.

Front 31

What for Umbria is known?

Back 31

For its white wine Orvieto DOC

Front 32

Orvieto is a blend of...

Back 32

Grechetto, Trebbiano and often few other local varieties

Front 33

What kind of wines does it give?

Back 33

Light in body

medium to high acidity

ripe grapefruit and peaches

Front 34

The best examples of Orvieto

Back 34

Tend to have the most Grechetto in the blend. Wines are made protectively and undergo cool fermentation in stainless steel

Front 35

Which is most prestigious Umbria's red wine?

Back 35

Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, made from thick-skinned Sagrantino grape

Front 36

Where is Lazio?

Back 36

To the south of Tuscany and Orvieto

Front 37

What is the best-known wine of Lazio?

Back 37

Frascati DOC

Front 38

Lazio's vineyards

Back 38

In the hills to the south of Rome, the vineyards are cooled by both altitude and number of small nearby lakes (perfect conditions for whites)

Front 39

Lazio's whites are usually blends of...

Back 39

Malvasia and Trebbiano - usually made in a fresh, unoaked style.

medium body

medium to high acidity

flavours of citrus fruit

Front 40

what provides Malvasia to the blend?

Back 40

floral, orange blossom aromas

Front 41

Where is Marche?

Back 41

On the eastern side of Apennines

Front 42

What for is Marche known?

Back 42

White wines made from the Verdicchio grape.

the most famous is Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Front 43

Verdicchio characteristic

Back 43

Naturally high in acidity

flavours of green apples, lemons

sometimes fennel and almonds aromas

Many are simple and fruity

The best have greater concentration and can develop notes of honey and almonds with bottle age

Front 44

Red wines of Marche

Back 44

Blends of Montepulciano and Sangiovese, of which the best is known Conero DOCG

Front 45

Which region lies below Marche?

Back 45

Abruzzo

Front 46

What is it famous for?

Back 46

For its black variety Montepulciano, which gives name to the main wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Front 47

Montepulciano grape characteristic

Back 47

high level of colour and tannins

medium acidity

black plums and cherries

Front 48

Montepulciano style

Back 48

many are simple and fruity, made without any oak ageing.

BUT the most concentrated examples are often matured for a short time in oak