13 Italy Trentodoc

Question 1

Describe Trentodoc in one card;-)

Answer 1

• Trademarked name - bottle-fermented sparkling classic champagne varieties (esp Chard & Pinot Noir) grown in Trentino region of northern Italy under DOC Trento
• Trentodoc logo created 2007. Two Os represent riddling
• Named after main town Trento.
• Guilio Ferrari made first trad method Chardonnay 1902 after visiting Champagne
• Hillside vineyards under high mountains
• Many 100% Chard, but poss Pinot Noir, Blanc & Meunier
• Ripe yellow apple fruit, biscuit, autolytic notes, med alcohol, med (+) to high acidity
• V good - outstanding, (super) premium prices

Question 2

Climate of Trentino

Answer 2

• North Italy in sight of Alps 800 ha
• Warm continental with marked cooling influences
• Day temps high, wind protection from mountains
  
  • heat builds on valley floor in growing season (means higher daytime temps than expected for the latitiude/altitude)
  • High diurnal range, grapes retain acidity

Question 3

Describe VY Management and soils in Trentino

Answer 3

• Soils
  
  • Stony, well drained
  • The higher the alt, the poorer in nutrients
  • Slow steady growth, long maturation = high flavour intensity
• Vineyards (800 ha in total)
  
  • 400-700m on slopes above valley (some higher)
  • steep, so manual labour - expensive
• Trellising
  
  • Guyot on sloping vineyards
  • Pergola on steeper terraced vineyards
  • 4,500- 6,000 vines p/ha
  • Chardonnay on cooler sites (longer, cooler ripening)
  • Pinot Noir on warmer S and S-E facing slopes
• Diseases
  
  • Lowest slope/ valley floor spring frosts
  • Fungal disease depending on weather
    
    • Downy & Powdery Mildew
    • Botrytis bunch rot
• Harvest Date
  
  • Determined by acidity (ph 3.2) - normally early September

Question 4

Describe Winemaking Trentodoc?

Answer 4

• Traditional method
• Yield limited 105hl/ha
• 1st Fermentation
  
  • Malo conv takes place to soften the high acidity
  • Cultured yeast (incl strains from local Oenology school)
  • Some producers blend in reserve wines (NV style)
• 2nd Fermentation
  
  • Ageing on lees (cost)
    
    • NV min 15 mth, practice 20 - 30 mth
    • Vintage min 24 mth
    • Riserva min 36 mth, practice 5-10 years
  • Sweetness levels
    
    • Trento / Trento Rosato >BN - Dolce (most = Brut)
    • Trento Riserva (White & Rosato) >BN - Brut

Question 5

Wine Business in Trentodoc

Answer 5

• 54 Producers and numerous small growers
• 4 companies make 95% of sparkling wine
  
  • Ferrari biggest. Owns 100 ha. Buys from 500 ha of the denominations’ 800 ha
  • Major Co-ops
    
    • Mezzocorona co-op (major brand Rotari)
    • Cavit co-op (major brand Altemasi)
    • La Vis co-op group owned by Cesarini Sforza
• Sales
  
  • Increased 7m btl - 9m btl 2010 - 2019
  • 80% sales domestic
    
    • except Cavit 35% domestic, balance into Europe (Sweden)
• Recent developments
  
  • Focus on export : eg sponsor Inst MWs to promote recognition of name and worldwide trade.
  • 2007 - created Trentodoc trademark (riddling)