Alto Adige DOC, Collio DOC, Friuli Colli Oriental DOC Flashcards
Still white wines
In which region is Alto Adige DOC located?
Trentino-Alto Adige in the foothills of the Alps.
What area does Alto-Adige DOC cover?
All vineyard-viable land and has several distinctive sub-zones within it.
Where are the vineyards of Alto Adige DOC located?
Vines are grown at high elevation on the slopes of the Alps. They are some of the highest in Europe up 1300m ASL.
How does the climate of Alto Adige influence the grapes and wine?
Although it is called an Alpine climate, it experiences warm summer days and cool nights which enhance the aromatic development and provide for gradual ripening and maturation.
Why does wine production differ between the northern valleys and the southern area around Bolzano?
The area around Bolzano is one of the warmest places in Italy in summer, as the surrounding mountains act as a heat trap, which is more suited to red varieties e.g. Schiava. The northern valleys are cooler and offer ideal conditions for cool-climate white grapes.
What are the main grape varieties grown in Alto Adige DOC?
It has a wide range of international varieties grown here, mainly white. Examples are Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Reisling, Sylvaner, Muller-Thurgau, Kerner.
What makes Alto Adige wine special?
It is known for distinctive, aromatic and elegant white wines with vibrant acidity, due to the high elevation vineyards, pronounced aromatics and significant ageing-potential.
Which wines are regarded as Alto Adige’s claim to fame?
Varietal Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Bianco.
Which two varieties grown in Alto-Adige are regarded as among the best expressions of the wine in Italy?
Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.
Which variety is a speciality of Termeno (Tramin)?
Gewurtztraminer (Spicy grape from Tramin)
Which grape achieves unmatched levels of quality and ageing-potential in the vineyards of Alto-Adige?
Pinot Bianco
How are the white wines of Alto Adige fermented? Why is this?
Mainly in neutral vessels to preserve the purity of the fruit, for which the wines are known.
Is oak used on Alto Adige wines?
It depends on the grape variety and style being made.
Which type of oak may be used in Alto Adige DOC wines?
Small new oak are common for Chardonnay;
Large old oak casks for Pinot Bianco.
Which varieties generally see no oak?
Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Gewurtztraminer are usually vinified in stainless steel.
Why are cooperatives important in Alto Adige?
They provide a way for small growers to pool their resources to make and market their wine.
Why is Friuli regarded as the one of Italy’s top wine regions?
In the 1960’s it embraced modern winemaking techniques and revolutionised white winemaking in Italy.
In which region are Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali (FCO) DOCs located?
Friuli Venezia Giulia. (FVG)
Where are the vineyards of Collio and FCO located?
On two distinct hills on the eastern border of FVG. Collio means ‘hill” and Colli Orientali means “eastern hills”.
Where does Collio DOC lie?
On the border with Slovenia.
What is the topography of Collio DOC?
Hills run east to west, meaning the slopes enjoy a southerly, well exposed aspect.
What is the topography of FCO DOC?
It lies to the north of Collio and has many terraced hills, more south-westerly aspect.
What styles are found in Collio and FCO?
Collio: White grapes & wines dominate;
FCO: Mainly whites, with well respected reds and sweet passiti.
Which varieties are found in FCO and Collio DOCs?
Both are similar - Friulano, Ribolla Giolla, Malvasia Istrania, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio.
Which varieties are used to produce the sweet passito wines?
Less known varieties of Picolit and Verduzzo.
What makes the wines of Collio and FCO special?
They both produce high quality terroir driven varietal and blended white wines from native and international grapes.
What is Friuli’s signature white wine?
Friulano white wine. It achieves consummate expression in both DOCs.
What are the common descriptors of Friulano wine?
Citrus and apple fruit laced with notes of hay, herbs and almonds.
Which grape is the pride of Collio DOC?
Ribolla Giolla.
In what styles is Ribolla Giolla produced in Collio DOC?
It is produced in still white and orange styles.
What is Collio Bianco?
A complex blend of of local and international grapes.
Which white wine produced in FCO and Collio DOCs is among Italy’s best expression?
Sauvignon Blanc.
What is the character of Malvasia Istriana from Collio DOC?
Elegant and minerally.
How are grapes fermented in FCO and Collio DOCs?
Because of the variety of styles and grapes a range of techniques are used ranging from stainless steel wines to those skin-macerated and fermented in amphorae.
