What are the 8 ancient Italian tribes?
- Liguri / Salassi (NW)
- Rhaeti / Veneti (NE)
- Umbri / Piceni (Center)
- Samnites (South)
- Nuracic (Sardegna)
Where did the Etruscans get their wine knowledge from?
Phoenicians
What was the Etruscan form of Vine training?
Alberata (around the tree)
How did the ancient greeks call Italy?
Oenotria (Land of vines)
What vine training did the Greeks introduce?
Head-training (Alberello)
What are the 4 most famous Romans to research and write about wine?
- Pliny the Elder (Historis Naturalis)
- Columella
- Cato the Elder
- Virgilius
What were the 5 most famous Roman wine centers?
- Falernum (Campania)
- Caecubum (Lazio)
- Mamertinum (Sicilia)
- Rhaeticum (Veneto)
- Pucinum (Friuli)
Who was “Barone Ricasoli” and what was he famous for?
He developed the blending formula for Sangiovese wines and was the second prime minister of Italy.
Who was “Camillo Benso” and what was he famous for?
First prime minister in Italy and reformed the winemaking
What were the three schools responsible for reviving wine studies in Italy?
- Conegliano Enology Schools
- Alba Enology School
- Agrarian Institute San Michele all’Adige
What was the first Italian DOC?
Vernaccia die San Gimignano
How many % of Italy are mountains and Hills ?
77%
What’s the average elevation of Italy ?
330m
What are the three subdivisions of the Eastern Alps?
- Dolomites
- Carnic Alps
- Julian Alps
What’s the highest peak of the Appenines and how high is it?
Gran Sasso (2’900m)
What are the three types of Hills in Italy?
- Sedimentary Hills (Marl/Limestone)
- Morainic Hills (Gravel&Sand)
- Volcanic Hills (Volcanic)
What are 3 examples of wine regions with sedimentary hills?
- Langhe
- Monferrato
- Chianti
What are 2 examples of wine regions with morainic hills?
- Franciacorta
- Lake Garda (Bardolino)
What are 5 examples of wine regions with volcanic hills?
- Sicilia (Etna)
- Campania (Vesuvio)
- Toscana
- Lazio (north of Rome)
- Veneto (! e.g. Gambellara)
What are the two largest plains in Italy?
- Padano Plain
- Tavoliere delle Puglie
What is the second largest river in Italy?
Adige
What are the 6 main tributaries of the Po?
- Oglio
- Adda
- Dora Baltea (Valle d’Aosta)
- Sesia (North Piemonte)
- Tanaro (Central Piemonte)
- Ticino (Switzerland)
What are the two main rivers in Central and Southern Italy
- Tiber (Tevere) - Rome*
- Arno - Florence/Pisa
*thirdlongest
What are the four largest lakes in Northern Italy
- Lago di Garda (largest)
- Lago Maggiore
- Lago Iseo
- Lago di Como
