14. North-East Italy

Question 1

Trentino

Answer 1

o Moderate continental with cooling influences
o Flat plains (fertile) and hillsides (poorer, high-quality)
o Mainly white wines -> 75%
o Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Müller-Thurgau, Teroldego, Merlot, Marzemino, Lagrein
o Trentino DOC -> wine from many varieties, international and local
o Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC -> available to growers in Trentino
o Clean, clear, well-made, early-drinking whites

Question 2

Alto-Adige

Answer 2

o Alpine continental
o Porphyry, quartz, mica rock and Dolomitic limestone
o Schiava (most planted), Pinot Grigio, Gewürztraminer,
Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc
o 60% of white wines and 40% reds
o Clean, clear, well-made, early-drinking whites

Question 3

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Answer 3

o Warm maritime climate
o Everyday wines from higher-yield fruit grown on the alluvial plain
o Higher-quality from the hillside vineyards of DOCs Collio and Colli Orientali del Friuli -> calcareous marl (ponca) and sandstone
o Best-known for its high-quality whites -> focus on varietal wines
o Pinot Grigio (25%), Merlot, Friulano, Chardonnay, SB, CF
o Local grapes -> Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia di Istria, Verduzzo and Picolit, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schiopettino, Pignolo and Tazzalenghe
o Friuli whites are clean, mainly unoaked
o Orange wines -> centre for the production of this style

Question 4

Veneto Overview

Answer 4

o Warm and moderately continental
§ Cooling influences from altitude and Lake Garda
o Plains have fertile soils (high yields) / Hillsides (poorer soils, limestone, clay and basalt)

Question 5

Soave

Answer 5

§ Min 70% Garganega, up to 30% Trebbiano di Soave or
Chardonnay
§ Soave DOC (80%, high yields)
§ Soave Classico DOC (20%, hilly zone)
§ Soave Superiore DOCG (tiny production)
§ Recioto di Soave DOCG (sweet wine, appassimento)

Question 6

Valpolicella

Answer 6

§ Range of wines -> all Corvina-dominant blends
* Corvina and/or Corvinone -> must be 45–95% of the
blend
* Rondinella -> 5–30%
§ Valpolicella DOC (high yields, fruity)
§ Valpolicella Classico DOC (hilly zone)
§ Valpolicella Valpantena DOC
§ Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (historic, sweet)
§ Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (modern, dry/off-dry)
§ Valpolicella Ripasso DOC (unpressed grape skins)

Question 7

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC

Answer 7

§ Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino
§ High-volume to mid-priced

Question 8

Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG

-> reds and rosés

Answer 8

35–80% Corvina, up to 20% other authorized reds (Merlot)

Question 9

o Bianco di Custoza DOC

-> early-drinking whites

Answer 9

Blends -> Trebbiano Toscano, Garganega, Friulano and Cortese

Question 10

Lugana DOC

Answer 10

Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana, Verdicchio)