Cortese, Garganega, Verdicchio and Fiano

Question 1

Describe the typical characteristics of wines made with Cortese.
-Sweetness
-Body
-Acidity
-Flavours

Answer 1

-Sweetness: Dry
-Body: Light
-Acidity: High
-Flavours: floral aromas (blossoms), green fruit (apple, pear), citrus (lemon)

Question 2

What is the grape variety used in Gavi DOCG wines?

Answer 2

Cortese

Question 3

Are Gavi DOCG wines typically fermented and aged in oak?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

Are Gavi DOCG wines typically intended to age, or are they best drunk upon release?

Answer 4

Best drunk on release and not intended to be aged.

Question 5

Describe the typical characteristics of dry wines made with Garganega.
-Body
-Acidity
-Flavours

Answer 5

-Body: Medium
-Acidity: High
-Flavours: green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon), stone fruit (peach)

Question 6

What is the most important variety in the wines of Soave DOC and Soave DOC Classico?

Answer 6

Garganega

Question 7

True or false: most Soave DOC wines are fermented in inert vessels and should be drunk young.

Answer 7

True
But the best wines of Soave DOC Classico can age in bottle and gain flavours of honey and almond

Question 8

Name the sweet wine made from the Garganega grape variety.

Answer 8

Recioto di Soave DOCG

Question 9

What is appassimento?

Answer 9

A method where grapes are harvested then dried

Question 10

Describe the typical characteristics of wines made with Verdicchio.
-Sweetness
-Body
-Acidity
-Flavours

Answer 10

-Sweetness: Dry
-Body: Medium
-Acidity: High
-Flavours: green fruit (apple, pear), citrus fruit (lemon), herbal notes (fennel)

Question 11

Name the most famous wine made from Verdicchio in Italy.

Answer 11

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC

Question 12

True or false: outstanding examples of Verdicchio can age in bottle and develop honey and nut flavours.

Answer 12

True, but most are simple, fruity wines which are made to be drunk young.

Question 13

Describe the typical characteristics of wines made with Fiano.
-Body
-Acidity
-Flavours

Answer 13

-Body: Medium to full
-Acidity: Medium
-Flavours: stone fruit (peach) and tropical fruit (melon, mango)

Question 14

What do some producers of Fiano do during winemaking to add flavours of bread and biscuit?

Answer 14

Ageing on the lees/ lees contact

Question 15

True or false: Fiano di Avellino DOCG wines never have secondary flavours from oak.

Answer 15

False. Although many Fiano producers choose stainless steel vessels, some producers use oak