Chapter 21 - Cortese, Garganega, Vedicchio and Fiano

Question 1

What are basic characteristics of Cortese?

Answer 1

• Dry, light-bodied white wines with high acidity
• light floral aromas (blossom), flavours of green fruit (apple, pear), citrus (lemon)
• Gavi DOCG from Piemonte region
• Fermented in inert vessels, not matured in oak
• Ready to drink on release, not intended to age

Question 2

What are basic characteristics of Garganega?

Answer 2

• Dry, medium-bodied wines with high acidity
• Green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon), stone fruit (peach)
• From Veneto region
• Most important variety in Soave DOC and Soave Classico DOC
• Fermented in inert vessels, not oak
• Should be drunk when young and fresh
• Best Soave Classico DOC develop complex flavours of honey and almonds in bottle
• Recioto di Soave DOCG: sweet white wine from grapes using appassimento method

Question 3

What are basic characteristics of Verdicchio?

Answer 3

• Dry wines with high acidity, medium body
• Flavours of green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon), herbal notes (fennel)
• Simple, fruity wines, not intended for ageing
• Widely planted in Central Italy, Marche region and east coast
• Most famous wine is Verdicchio die Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 4

What are basic characteristics of Fiano?

Answer 4

• Medium acidity, medium to full body
• Flavours of stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (melon, mango)
• Inert vessels, secondary aromas from lees contact (bread, biscuit) or oak (smoke)
• Often made to be drunk young
• Important grape in southern Italy
• Fiano di Avellino DOCG an example from Campania