Barbaresco Flashcards
What is the climate of Piedmont?
Continental
What two mountain ranges surround Piedmont on three sides?
Alps and Apennines
What is the name of the major river that runs through Piedmont?
Po River
What Piemontese-born man was responsible for the unification of Italy in the 19th century and became its first king?
Vittorio Emanuele II
True or false: 94% of Piedmont’s wine is DOC or higher
True (national average: 45%)
Barbaresco is in what province of Italy?
Cuneo
What are the denominations of Barbaresco?
Barbaresco
Barbaresco Riserva
Barbaresco “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive” (cru)
Barbaresco “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive” and “vigna” (single vineyard)
What is the minimum alcohol required for Barbaresco?
12.5%
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?
Minimum 26 months beginning November 1st of harvest year
Minimum 9 months in wood
Cannot be released before January 1st three years following harvest
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco Reserve?
Minimum 50 months beginning November 1st of harvest year
Minimum 9 months in wood
Cannot be released before January 1st five years following harvest
Vineyards in Barbaresco are prohibited to face completely in which direction?
North
What is the minimum planting density in Barbaresco?
3,500 vines per hectare
What are the maximum yields in Barbaresco?
8 tons/ha
56 hl/ha
For “vigna” wines: 7.2 tons/ha; vineyard must be minimum 7 years old or maximum yields decrease
What is the principal soil type in Barbaresco?
Tortonian calcareous marl
When was the DOCG established in Barbaresco?
1980 (DOC in 1966)
Which river is the most significant tributary of the Po and runs through Barolo and Barbaresco?
Tanaro River
True or false: historically most landowners in the Langhe made wine themselves
False (most sold to Négociants in Alba)
Who are two famous young grape growers who traveled to Burgundy in the 1970s in search of solutions to cellar hygiene, vineyard management, and production of fine wines?
Elio Altare
Enrico Scavino
What are some approaches to winemaking characteristic of the “traditionalists”?
Long macerations
Large old barrels of chestnut or acacia passed down for generations
Stem inclusion
Open vat fermentation
Foot trodding
No temperature control
What are some approaches to winemaking characteristic of the “modernists”?
New French barriques
Rotary fermenters
Lower yields to increase concentration
Focus on physiological ripeness
Tannin management
What is the maximum altitude for Barbaresco vineyards?
550 meters (1,800ft)
What is the minimum altitude for Barbaresco vineyards?
None
What are the ten regions of the Langhe?
Barolo
Barbaresco
Roero
Dogliani
Diano d’Alba
Barbera d’Alba
Dolcetto d’Alba
Verduno Pelaverga
Nebbiolo d’Alba
Langhe
What four countries border Italy to the north?
France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia
