Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) > Italy Overview: Wine Law, Geography, DOC system, Labeling Terms > Flashcards

Italy Overview: Wine Law, Geography, DOC system, Labeling Terms Flashcards

Learn quality levels, wine law, and labeling terminology. (28 cards)

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1
Q

Which 2 ancient civilizations produced wine in Italy before the Romans?

A
  • Etruscans
  • Greeks
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2
Q

Approximately how many registered grape varietals does Italy have?:

  • 250
  • 800
  • 1300
A

1300

Some experts have pegged the number greater than 2,000, several hundred of which are native to Italy.

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3
Q

How many regions does Italy have?

A

20

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4
Q

What are the countries that border Italy?

A

West: France

North: Switzerland, Austria

East: Slovenia

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5
Q

What are the seas that surround Italy?

A

West: Tyrrhenian + Ligurian Seas

East: Adriatic Sea

South: Ionian Sea

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6
Q

What mountain range runs along most of Italy’s northern border?

A

The Alps

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7
Q

What is the mountain range that runs down the center of the Italian peninsula?

A

The Apennines

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8
Q

What is the general climate of Italy?

A

North: cool Continental

South: warm Mediterranean

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9
Q

Approximately how many registered vineyards does Italy have?

A

~900,000

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10
Q

In Italy, wines without geographic indication are labeled as ____.

A

Vino

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11
Q

When Italian wines are just labeled as Vino, what colors can they be?

Can they have the vintage on the label?

A

Vino can be:

  • rosso, bianco or rosato
  • can be labeled with OR without the vintage
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12
Q

Wines with a geographical indication are split into ____ and ____.

A
  • IGP
  • DOP
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13
Q

What does IGP stand for?

A

Indicazione Geografica Protetta

OF NOTE:

  • IGP designation includes IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)
  • both IGP/IGT are considered PGI by the EU and are interchangeable
  • IGP wines range from the most basic to some of the most sought after in Italy

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14
Q

What 2 Italian wine classifications are within DOP?

A
  1. DOC
  2. DOCG
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15
Q

On their wine labels, can Italians use either DOP or DOC/DOCG?

A

Yes

Though most old school producers will use DOCG if they’re in a DOCG zone and have historically used DOCG on their label.

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16
Q

In what year was the DOC system introduced in Italy?

17
Q

Why was the DOC system launched in Italy?

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A
  • To protect Italy’s wine appellations
  • To formalize the production area and methods for each wine
18
Q

What are Italy’s wine classifications from largest to smallest?

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A
  • Vino
  • IGT
  • DOC
  • DOCG
19
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Classico

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A

The original, smaller zone and the best part of an area.

e.g. Chianti, Chianti Classico

20
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Riserva

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A

Usually indicates:

  • extended aging, usually both in cask and bottle
  • usually denotes lower yields
  • usually denotes higher alcohol

Riserva is a legally defined term in Italy, unlike in the U.S. or South America.

21
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Superiore

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A

Usually indicates:

  • higher alcohol
  • longer aging (depends on appellation)
22
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Spumante

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A

Fully sparkling

23
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Frizzante

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A

Gently sparkling

24
Q

Italian Labeling Terms:

Metodo Classico

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A

Traditional Method used to make sparkling wine.

Heads up! Metodo Classico is the same as méthode champenoise, the method used in Champagne.

25
Italian Labeling Terms: Secco
Dry
26
Italian Labeling Terms: Amabile
Off-dry
27
Italian Labeling Terms: Dolce
Sweet
28
Italian Labeling Terms: Recioto + Passito
Both indicate the wine was **made from dried grapes**. These wines are almost always sweet.
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