7 - Wines of Italy

Question 1

When did winemaking begin in Italy, and which cultures initially influenced it?

Answer 1

Winemaking in Italy began at least 4,000 years ago with the Etruscans and Greek settlers.

Question 2

What restrictions did the Romans place on winemaking, and how did these change over time?

Answer 2

Initially, the Romans prohibited winemaking outside Italy, using slaves for production. Later, they allowed winemaking in Gaul (France) and Hispania (Spain)

Question 3

What are the two main classifications for Italian wines based on origin control?

Answer 3

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di ORigine Controllata e GArantia (DOCG)

Question 4

What is the Vino da Tavola (VDT) classification, and what type of wine does it represent?

Answer 4

Vino da Tavola (VDT) is a Table Wine classification for basic Italian wines made primarily for local consumption.

Question 5

Why are Italian wines challenging to learn about?

Answer 5

Italy has hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, many unique to the country, and each of its 20 regions produces different types of wines.

Question 6

Which red grapes are significant in Piedmont, and what wine is Nebbiolo associated with?

Answer 6

Barbera, Dolcetto, and Nebbiolo are important in Piedmont, with Nebbiolo being the grape used for Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

Question 7

Describe the characteristics of Barbera wine for Piedmont.

Answer 7

Barbera is a juicy red wine with tart cherry and licorice flavors, low tannins, and high acidity. Notable wines include Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba

**question - is this better for eating?

Question 8

What is unique about the Amarone dellla Valpilicella production process?

Answer 8

Amarone is made using the appassimento method, where grapes are dried for 3-4 months, losing about 30% of their weight before fermentation.

Question 9

What is the ripasso process used in Valpolicella wines?

Answer 9

The ripasso process involves adding leftover grape skins from previous fermentations to enhance flavor and alcohol content in Valpolicella wines.

Question 10

Which grape is primarily used in Prosecco, and what is the production method?

Answer 10

Prosecco is made from Glera grapes using the Charmat method, with fermentation occurring in tanks rather than bottles.

Question 11

What distinguishes a Super Tuscan wine?

Answer 11

Super Tuscans often include non-traditional Italian varietals like Cab Sauv, preventing them from receiving DOC or DOCG status and categorizing them as IGT

Question 12

Describe the wine characteristics of Brunello di MOntalcino

Answer 12

Brunello di Montalcino is a full-bodied, richly flavored Sangiovese wine with deep color, firm tannins, and high aging potential, from the warmer region of Montalcino in Tuscany.

Question 13

What is the primary grape of Chianti, and what is the minimum percentage required in Chianti Classico?

Answer 13

The primary grape of Chianti is Sangiovese, with Chianti Classico requiring at least 80% Sangiovese.

Question 14

What is Vin Santo, and how is it traditionally produced?

Answer 14

Vin Santo is a sweet dessert wine, traditionally made by drying grapes on mats or rafters, then fermenting them in small barrels over several years.

Question 15

What grape is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo made from,a nd what are its characteristics?

Answer 15

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is made from the MOntepulciano grape, featuring a medium- to full-bodied profile with dense black fruit flavors and smooth texture.

Question 16

What ar ethe primary grape varieties used in CAmpania’s DOCG wines?

Answer 16

Key DOCG grapes include Aglianico for reds and Falanghina Fiano, and Greco for whites.

Question 17

What is Primitivo’s significance, and where is it primarily grown?

Answer 17

Primitivo, a cousin to Zinfandel, is mainly grown in Puglia, Ital’s “heel of the boot”

Question 18

What are the main characteristics of Nebbiolo grown in Barbaresco region?

Answer 18

Barbaresco Nebbiolo is less tannic than Barolo, often more elegant, with a higher acidity and red cherry notes, making it more approachable in its youth.

Again - talk about tannic in wines and prices for reds.

Question 19

What climatic feature helps shape the wines of Barolo in the Langhe region?

Answer 19

The Tanaro River moderates the summer heat in Barolo, along with clay and marl soils, which help balance Nebbiolo’s acidity and create big, tannic wines.

Question 20

What white grapes is the primary component of Gavi, and what flavors does it bring?

Answer 20

Gavi is primarily made from the Cortese grape, which provides lean, dry wines with graphite-like minerality, citrus, and a finish of grapefruit pith.

Question 21

Describe the Dolcetto grape’s typical wine style in Piedmont.

Answer 21

Dolcetto wines are juicy with black plum and boysenberry flavors, bold tannins, and lower acidity, making them ready to drink young.

Question 22

Describe the Dolcetto grape’s typical wine style in Piedmont

Answer 22

Dolcetto wines are juicy with black plum and boysenberry flavors, bold tannins, and lower acidity, making them ready to drink young.

Question 23

How does the Chianty Classico region differ from the broader DOCG area?

Answer 23

Chianti Classico is the original Chianti zone between Florence and Siena, know for its stony soils and high-quality Sangiovese-based wines.

Question 24

What is Vernaccia di San Gimiagnano, and where is it produced?

Answer 24

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a white wine from Tuscany, know from its floral , crisp character, often with notes of almond and minerality.

Question 25

What unique aging requirement does Brunello di Montalcinno have?

Answer 25

Brunello di Montalcino must age for at least 4 years, with a minimum of 2 years in oak, before release, allowing for complex development in the wine.

Question 26

What flavors are typical of the Aglianico grape in Campania?

Answer 26

Aglianico often has flavors of dark fruit, black pepper, leather, and firm tannins, producing structures, age-worthy wines.

Question 27

Which grape is known as Chiavennasca in the Valtellina region, andhow does it differ from its Piedmont expression?

Answer 27

Nebbiolo is called Chiavennasca in Valtellina, producing a more elegant, lighter style compared to the bold Piedmont Nebbiolo wines.

Question 28

What is Reciotto della VAlpolicella, and how is it made?

Answer 28

Recioto della VAlpolicella is a sweet red wine made from dried Corvina grapes, where fermentation is stopped early to retain sweetness.

Question 29

Which region in ITaly is famous for LAmbursco, and what distinguishes its modern style?

Answer 29

Emilia-Romagna is know for LAmbursco, often a dry, sparkling red with fruity and floral notes, distinct from eh sweet styles of the past.

Question 30

What is the primary grape in Prosecco, and what tasting notes are common?

Answer 30

prosecco is primarily made from the Glera grape, with flavors of green apple, pear, and honeydew melon, often enjoyed as a light, bubbly wine.

Question 31

What are the main flavors and aromas of Soave wines, and which grape dominates these wines?

Answer 31

Soave wines, primarily from the Garganega grape, are typically sweet with flavors of white flowers, citrus, and almond, with a light to medium body

Question 32

What grape variety dominates Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and what are its tasting characteristics?

Answer 32

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is dominated by Sangiovese, offering flavors fo cherry, plum, and floral notes, with medium to high acidity

Question 33

What distinguishes Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s Pinot Grigio from others?

Answer 33

Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia is light with citrus and gentle herbaceous notes, often more zesty and refreshing than other Italian Pinot Grigios.

Question 34

What makes the Amarone della Valpolicella’s appassimento process unique?

Answer 34

In the appassimento process, grapes are dried for up to 120 days to concentrate sugars, resulting in Amarone’s bold, raisined flavors and high alcohol

Question 35

What is the Charmat method using in Prosecco production?

Answer 35

The Charmat method involves a secondary fermentation in tanks rather than bottles, creating lighter, fruiter bubbles than traditional bottle fermentation.

Question 36

What types of wine is Torcolato, and what is its primary grape?

Answer 36

Torcolato is a concentrated dessert wine from Veneto, made primarily form the Vespaiola grape, with creamy texture and balanced sweetness.

Question 37

What is the significance of Negroamaro in Puglia wines?

Answer 37

Negroamaro, often blended with Malvasia Nera, produces robust, fruit-forward wines with bold tannins, characteristic of Puglia.