Class 5 - Wines of North and Central Italy Flashcards
How long has wine been made in Italy?
At least 4000 years
Begun with the Etruscans and Greek settlers.
What was the winemaking law under the Romans?
Winemaking was prohibited outside Italy.
Wine was made by slaves.
What percentage of the world’s wine is produced by Italy?
20% of the world’s wine.
What is the per capita wine consumption in Italy?
70 L.
How many grape varieties are there in Italy?
1300 grape varieties.
What makes Italian wines difficult to learn?
A couple hundred indigenous grapes, most grown nowhere else.
What is Montepulciano in Italy?
Both a grape and a city in central Italy (Tuscany).
What are the two broad classifications of EU-wide wine?
Wine WITH origin and Wine WITHOUT origin.
What are the classifications for Wines Without Origin?
- Former VDT wines
- Generic (Bianco/Rosso/Rosato)
- Varietal Wines with/without vintage.
What are the classifications for Wines With Origin in italy?
- IGP (includes IGT level wines)
- DOP (includes DOC/DOCG level wines).
What is the capital city of Piedmont?
Turin.
What is the most widely planted grape in Piedmont?
Barbera.
What are the two most important wines from Nebbiolo in Piedmont?
- Barolo
- Barbaresco.
What are the primary white grape varieties in Piedmont?
- Cortese (Gavi)
- Moscato
- Arneis
- Chardonnay.
What is Barbaresco known for?
Elegant, austere wine with lush red cherry and tart acidity.
What is the average price range for Roero wines?
$19–$27.
What grape is used to produce Moscato d’Asti?
Moscato Bianco.
What are the two main styles of Moscato from Piedmont?
- Asti Spumante (fully bubbly)
- Moscato d’Asti (barely bubbly).
What is the aging requirement for Barolo DOCG?
38 months aging (including 18 months in wood) for normale.
What is the aging requirement for Barbaresco DOCG?
26 months aging (9 months in wood) for normale.
What type of wine is Dolcetto often compared to?
Italian version of Beaujolais (Gamay).
What is significant about the soil in Barolo?
Clay and marl help lessen the naturally high acidity of Nebbiolo.
What characterizes the wines from Ghemme and Gattinara regions?
Floral with high acidity, delicate tart red fruits and earthy notes.
What is the Nebbiolo grape known for?
Big, powerful red wine with great complexity.