11 Intro to Italy Flashcards
Italian Wine Classification
In order of size / esteem
- DOCG - “Classic”
- DOC - Introducd in 1963 to formalize & protect Italian wine appelations
- IGT - geographical zone
- Vino
Italian Labeling - Classico
Traditional, theoretically superior vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG
Italian Labeling - Riserva
Usually indicates extended ageing & can denote lower yeilds & higher alcohol depending on appelation
Italian Labeling - Superiore
Denotes higher alcohol or longer agign depending on the appelation
Northern Italy Wine Regions
(Not ordered)
- Piedmont
- LIguria
- Valle d’Aosta
- Lombardy
- Trentino-Alto Adige
- Emilia-Romagna
- Veneto
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Piedmont Stats
- Location: Northwestern Italy, bordering France & Switzerland
- Geography: Alps to North & West, Apennine to south & east; Po River begins in Piedmont
- Climate: Continental, rain shadow from alps
- Soil: Limestone & sandstone
Piedmont Grapes
White
- Moscato - aeromatic
- Cortese - mineral & fragrant, can be consumed early
- Arenis - mineral & fragrant, can be consumed early
Red
- Nebbiolo - late-ripening grape, lots of acidity & tannin; firm structure
- Barbera - most planted, vibrant blue colors, low tannin; oaked & un-oaked
- Dolcetto - sweet grape
- Brachetto
Primary Piedmont Appelations
- Barolo DOCG
- Barbaresco DOCG
- Moscato d’Asti / Asti DOCG
- Barbera d’Asti DOCG
- Gavi DOCG
- Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
Barolo DOCG Wines
- Red only
- 100% Nebbiolo
- Best vineyards on hillsides
- Long oak aging in barrels & barriques
- Slavonian oak
- Aging: 38 months total, with minimum 18 in oak
Barbaresco DOCG Wines
- Red only
- 100% Nebbiolo
- Best vineyards on hillsides
- Long oak aging in barrels & barriques
- Aging: 26 months total, with minimum 9 in oak
- Softer wine than Barolo, requires less aging
Moscato d’Asti / Asti DOCG Wines
- White wine
- Moscato
- Moscato d’Asti: Off-dry, frizzante sparkling wines
- Asti DOCG - White, supmante, or metodo classico sparkling wines
Barbera d’Asti DOCG Wines
- Dry red only
- Barbera
Gavi DOCG Wines
- Dry white wines
- Cortese grape
Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
- Sweet, sparkling red wines
- Brachetto grapes
Other Piedmont AOCs
- Roero DOCG (Nebbiolo / Arneis)
- Barbera d’Asti DOCG
- Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG
- Ghemme DOCG (Spanna [Nebbiolo])
- Gattinara DOCG (Spanna [Nebbiolo])
Lombardy Stats
- Geography: Northeast of Milan, foothills of Alps
- Climate: Cool continental
- Topography: Mountains, rolling foothils
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Nebbiolo
- Vinification: Metodo Classico, Rose
- Aged for a long time, get toasted biscuit notes
Lombardy appelations
- Franciacorta DOCG
- Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Franciacorta DOCG Wines
White Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Bianco
Red grapes
- Pinot Nero
Vinification
- Metodo classico sparkling wines only
Valtellina Superiore DOCG Wines
Climate:
- High altitude & alpine
- Abudnant sunshine allows for long, slow growing season
Grapes:
- Nebbiolo
Vinification
- Oak-aged
- Dry red wines
Piedmont food pairing
- Franciacorta: Fritto misto
- Arenis: shashimi / summer salad
- Barolo & barbaresco: pasta & truffles
- Moscato D’Asti: spicy cheese & salty cracker
Northeast Italy appelations
- Trentino-Alto Adige
- Veneto
- Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
- Emilia-Romagna
Trentino-Alto Adige Stats
- Geography: Asutria / Switzerland border
- Climate: Continental; cold winters, warm summers; warm winds
- Topography: Mountainous & rolling foothills
Trentino-Alto Adige Grapes
White
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Bianco
Red
- Merlot
- Lagrein
Trentino-Alto Adige Appelations
- Trentino DOC
- Alto Adige (Südtiroler) DOC
Veneto Stats
- Location: Northeastern Italy, foothills of Alps extending eastward towards border of the Adriatic Sea
- Climate: Continental with warmer maritime climate near the coast
- Largest producing region in Italy, mostly sparkling wines
Veneto Appellations
- Soave
- Prosecco
- Valpolicella
Soave Stats
- Grape: Garganega
- Vinificaiton: Dry white wine
- Superior sub-zone: Soave Superiore DOCG
- Additional DOCG - Recioto di Soave DOCG
Prosecco Stats
- Grape: Glera
- Vinfiication: Charmat / tank method sparkling wine
- DOCGs:
–> Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG (main)
–> Asolo / Colli Asolani-Prosecco DOCG
Valpolicella Stats
- Grapes: Corvina (dominant), Rodinella
- Vinification: Dry red wines
- Superior sub-zone: Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Stats
- Grapes: Corvina (dominant), Rodinella
- Vinification: Appassimento process
–> Grapes harvested & dried for several weeks
–> Fermented dry or off-dry
–> High alcohol, ~14-16%
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia Stats
- Geography: Slovenian border
- Climate: Continental
- Grapes: Mostly white, some reds
- Vinificaiton: mostly unoaked whites / reds
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia grapes
White
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon
- Friulano
Red
- Merlot
- Refosco dal Peduncolo
Emilia-Romagna Stats
- Location: North central Italy, east towards Adriatic Sea
- Topography: Broad, vast plains
- Grape: Lambrusco family
- Vinification: Red sparkling wine, Frizzante or spumante, Charmat / tank method
- Styles: Secco, Amabile
Northeast Italy Food Pairing
- Prosecco: crispy / salty cheese
- Lambrusco: Frito - fried bread and ham
- Pinot Grigio: light pasta dish
- Valpolicella: Stew, braised meat, tomato-based sauce
- Amarone: Stew, braised meat, tomato-based sauce
Central Italy Regions
- Tuscany
- Marche
- Umbria
- Abruzzo
- Latium
Tuscany Stats
- Location: Ligurian sea in the west to foothills of Apennine Mountains in east
- Climate: Maritime on coast, continental inland
Tuscan Grapes
White
- Vernaccia
- Vermentino
Red
- Sangiovese (main)
- Syrah
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
Tuscany Appelations
- Chianti DOCG
- Chianti Classico DOCG
- Brunello di Montalcino
Chianti DOCG Facts
- Larger zone with 8 sub-zones
- Grape: Sangiovese (min 70%)
- Vinification: Dry red wines only
Chianti Classico DOCG Stats
- Smaller area in hear tof larger Chianti region with more stringent rules & agingin requirements
- Grape: Sangiovese (min 80%)
- Soil: Galestro, Sandstone
- Vinfication: Dry red wine only
Brunello di Montalcino Stats
- Location: slopes around hill town of Montalcino
- Soil: Clay & Marine sediment, Galestro at higher elevation
- Grape: 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello)
- Vinification: Dry reds only
- Age 2 yrs in wood & 4 months in bottle, cannot be sold before Jan 1st of 5th yr following harvest
- Large Slavonian oak barrels or small barriques are used
Marches Stats
- Location: East coast of ITaly along Adriatic Sea & extens west towards foothills of Apennine Mountains
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Grapes: Verdicchio (white) & Montepulciano (Red)
- Vinification: Dry, unoaked white wines most common
- Main DOCGs: Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva, Cònero
Southern Italy & Siciliy Regions
- Molise
- Puglia
- Campania
- Basilicata
- Calabria
- Sardinia
- Sicily
Campania Stats
- Location: Mt Vesuvius, Mediterranean Sea
- Climate: Meditteranean, sunny & warm (mild winters)
- Topography: low-lying areas near sea & rugged terrain in volcanic mtns
- Soil: Alluval sediments & volcanic soils
Grapes of Campania
White
- Greco
- Fiano
- Falanghina
Red
- Aglianico (main)
- Piedirosso
Campania Appelations
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG (Fiano grape, dry white wine)
- Greco di Tufo DOCG (Greco grape, dry white wine)
- Taurasi DOCG (Aglianico grape, dry, oak-aged, age-worthy red wines; min 3yrs aging with 1yr in wood)
Sicily Stats
- Location: Island west of mainland Italyu
- Climate: Mediterranean, cooler at higher elevations - diurnal shift is critical
- Topography: rolling hillsides at Mt. Etna, flatter near coast
- Soil: Notably varied, but volcanic near Mt Etna
- Important Appelation: Etna DOC
Sicily Grapes
White
- Carricante
- Grillo
Red
- Nero d’Avola
- Nerello Mascalese
- Frappato
Etna DOC Stats
- Location: Eastern Siciliy, on slopes of Mt. Etna - best quality grapes in Sicily
- Soil: Well-drained volcanic soil
- Grapes: Carricante (White), nerello Mascalese (red)
- Viticulture: Vines are bush-trained to reduce yields
- Vinification: Dry white, red, & rose wines
