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