C27 - Northern Italy (reviewed) Flashcards
Describe the key geographical features of Northern Italy
The vineyard regions are in the foothills of the Alps and on the extensive plain of the River Po
What is the overall climate of Northern Italy?
- Moderate Mediteranean, with dry, short summers
- Alps form a rain barrier
- Moderating influences provided by bodies of water such as local rivers (like the Po) and glacial lakes (such as Lake Garda)
What is the effect of proximity to the sea in Italy
These areas can have higher rainfall and be more at risk of fungal disease
Describe how Northern Italian vineyards were traditionally planted
- High yielding vines at low densities
- Pergola trellising systems
Describe a Pergola trellis in Northen Italy
- The vine canopy is trained high with the fruit hanging down below a horizontal canopy of leaves
- This protects the grapes from sunburn and allows for better circulation, minimising the risk of rot
- Still used when high acidity and low sugar levels are required (e.g. for sparkling wine grapes) as well as for dried grapes which need to be free from damage and disease
Which training system in Northern Italy is becoming more common?
High density plantings using VSP
What are the main regions and sub-regions of Northen Italy and name the main grap varieties grown in each sub-region
- Trentino-Alto Adige
- Alto Adige (Pinot Grigio)
- Trentino (Chadonnay, Pinot Grigio)
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Pinot Grigio, Merlot)
- Veneto
- Soave (Garganega)
- Valpolicella (Corvina)
- Piemonte
- Barolo, Barbaresco (Nebbiolo)
- Asti, Alba (Barbera, Dolcetto)
- Gavi (Cortese)
Where is Alto Adige?
- Centred around the town of Bolzano, on the foothills of the Alps
- Italy’s most northerly wine region
Describe vineyard plantings in Alto Adige
Planted on terraces on the south-east and south-west facing valley sides of the River Adige
Describe the climate in Alto Adige
- Moderate climate
- Short, dry summers
- Low rainfall during the growing season
- Most vineyards experience high diurnal range due to altitude
What does the high average vineyard altitude make the vineyards of Alto Adige ideal for?
Production of aromatic whites and elegant, light-bodied reds
What are the main grape varieties of Alto Adige?
White
- Pinot Grigio
- Pinot Blanc
- GEWURTZRAMINER
- CHARDONNAY
Red
- Schiava
What is the most notable white wine of Alto Adige? Describe it.
- Pinot Grigio
- Dry
- Light to medium body
- High acidity
- Citrus and green fruit flavours
Describe wines of Alto Adige made from Schiava
- Light and fruity
- Low to medium tannins
- Flavours of raspberries and plums
How are almost all wines labelled in Alto Adige?
Alto Adige DOC
Where in Italy is Trentino?
Directly to the south of Alto Adige, South of Bolzano on the valley
Where within the valley, are Trentino’s vineyards planted?
On the valley floor as well as on the slopes on both sides of the valley
What is the climate of Trentino?
- Moderate climate Dry summer and low rainfall (similar to Alto Adige)
- Slightly warmer than Alto Adige
- Because more southerly latitude Vineyards at lower altitude and mountains to the west of the valley which protect from the cooling influence of Lake Garda
What are Trentino’s main varieties?
White:
- Chardonnay
- Pinot Grigio
Red
- Merlot
- Teroldego
Describe the white wines made from Trentino - from valley floor vs higher altitude
Valley floor:
- Medium body
- Medium acidity
- Ripe stone fruit flavours
Higher altitude - similar to Alto Adige
- Light to medium body
- High acidity
- Citrus and green fruit flavours
Where within Trentino are Merlot and Teroldego usually planted?
Mid-slopes and valley floor
Describe wines made from Teroldego in Trentino
- Deep colour
- High acidity
- Medium to high tannin
- Medium to full body
- Aromas of black fruit
- Usually matured in oak and best examples have ability to age
How are most wines labelled in Trentino?
Trentino DOC
Where in Italy is Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
In the north’s eastern corner, foothills of the Alps
What is the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
- Moderate continental
- Cooled by cold air from the mountains
- On the flat plain near the Adriatic, the climate is warm maritime
Which grape varieties are planted in Friuli?
Many, the most prevalent being Pinot Grigio and Merlot
What overall style is produced in Friuli?
Rich, ripe white and red wines
Describe Pinot Grigio in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Some of the richest in Italy
- Medium to full-bodied
- Juicy peach and tropical fruit flavours
Describe wines made from Merlot in Friuli
- Medium acidity
- Medium tannins
- Medium body
- Ripe red fruit flavours
- Hint of spice from oak
Give a third widely grown grape from Friuli
How do the wines taste?
- Friulano, native grape variety
- White grape
- Medium body
- Wines with medium to high acidity
- Aromas of pear, red apples and herbs
Describe wines from the plain of Friuli How are they labelled?
- Labelled Friuli Grave DOC
- White and made in a simple fruity style
What are the two major sub-regions of Friuli located in the hills?
What style do they create?
- Collio DOC
- Colli Orientali DOC -
- Premium, more concentrated white wines
- Colli Orientali DOC - also noted for its red wines
Which Northern Italian wine region is also one of its largest?
Veneto
Describe the location of Veneto
Extends from the southern end of Lake Garda in the west, to Venice in the east From the foothills of the Alps in the north, to the flat plains of the Po in the south
What is the climate like in Veneto?
- Warm
- Moderate rainfall
- Cooling influence from altitude (so high diurnal range) and to the west of the region, from Lake Garda
What other weather phenomena are prevalent in Veneto?
- The flat plain is affected by moist air and fog from the Po
- This extra humidity brought by the moist air and fog in Veneto results in more spraying is needed to combat disease and rot
What kind of wines are made from grapes on the flat fertile plain in Veneto?
Inexpensive, high-volume wines
Which grapes are most commonly grown on the flat plains of Veneto?
International:
- Pinot Grigio
- Chardonnay
- Merlot
Local
- Corvina
- Garganega
- Trebbiano
How are the simple wines of Veneto’s plains labelled?
Veneto IGT
Where is Prosocco mostly produced?
Spread across Veneto and Friuli DOC but mostly in Veneto