D3 - Northeast Italy Flashcards
Examines the regions, grapes, method of production, and styles of Northeast Italy.
What is Alto Adige also known as?
Südtirol
What are seven key white grapes of Trentino?
- Pinot Grigio;
- Chardonnay;
- Müller-Thurgau;
- Pinot Bianco;
- Riesling;
- Sauvignon Blanc;
- Gewurztraminer.
What are 6 key red grapes of Trentino?
- Teroldego;
- Merlot;
- Marzemino;
- Cabernet Sauvignon;
- Cabernet Franc;
- Lagrein.
How much of Trentino’s wine production is made by co-ops?
70%
What is the climate of Trentino?
Moderate continental climate with cooling influences.
Name three climate influencers in Trentino.
- Mountains which protect the area from cold north winds;
- Lake Garda to the south which provides a moderating influence;
- Large diurnal range.
In Trentino, what two environmental factors help intensify grape flavors?
- Cold nights;
- Prolonged growing season (altitude and diurnal range).
What are the maximum yields for white and red grapes in Trentino?
White grapes = 100 hl/ha
Red grapes - 90 hl/ha
Where does the best Teroldego in Trentino come from?
What are the soils there?
- Teroldego Rotaliano DOC;
- Sandy, gravelly soils.
What appellation does Teroldego take if grown outside of Teroldego Rotaliano DOC?
Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT
In Trentino DOC, what subzone do the ripest Marzemino grapes come from?
How do they get so ripe, and what soils are there?
The Ziresi subzone – it gets full sun exposure and has rich calcareous/clay and basalt soils.
What is the warmest area in Trentino DOC (what is its climate)?
What white grape grows there?
- Valley of the Lakes;
- Nosiola.
Valley of the Lakes has a sub-continental climate.
What two styles of wine is Nosiola made into?
- Dry white with hazelnutty notes;
- Vino Santo, made with semi-dried fruits.
In what vessel are most white wines in Trentino fermented? At what temperature?
Some white wines are aged in this vessel.
- Stainless steel at (12–16°C/54–61°F) to retain primary fruit aromas;
- Some aged in oak.
What are the two styles that red wine is made into in Trentino?
How is each made?
- Fresh and fruity – skin maceration during alcoholic fermentation (5-7 days) at moderate temperatures (17– 20°C /63–68°F), aged in stainless steel or old, neutral wooden casks;
- Oak aged – post-fermentation maceration (1-2 weeks) at warm temperatures (26–32°C/79–90°F).
In the Trentino DOC, bottles labeled as single varieties must have a minimum of ___% of the stated grape.
85%
White wines from Trentino DOC labeled ‘Bianco’ must have a minimum ___% of these two grapes.
80% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco.
Red wines from Trentino DOC labeled ‘Rosso’ must be a monovarietal or a blend of these four grapes.
- Cabernet Sauvignon;
- Cabernet Franc;
- Carmenère;
- Merlot.
Rosé from Trentino DOC can also be called one of these two words.
Rosato or Kretzer.
Select the correct answer.
The province of Trentino has:
a. Lots of small growers
b. Lots of large land owners
a. Lots of small growers
What is the largest co-op in Trentino?
How much wine do they make?
Cavit – they made ~60% of all wine in the province.
Cavit is a consortium of 11 co-operatives spread around Trentino.
What is the climate of Alto Adige?
Mild Alpine continental climate.
At what elevation are most vineyards in Alto Adige?
300-700m
What creates the good conditions in Alto Adige for ripening grapes that retain acidity?
- Mountains to the north protect the area from cold winds;
- 300+ days of sun;
- Large diurnal shifts;
- Warm air currents in the valleys.
Select the correct answer.
Rainfall in Alto Adige falls:
a. Only in the spring, which is problematic for flowering
b. Throughout the year, which is problematic for harvest
b. Throughout the year, which is problematic for harvest
Select the correct answer.
The soils in Alto Adige are:
a. Consistent
b. Varied
What are they?
a. Varied
- Volcanic porphyry;
- Quartz;
- Mica rock;
- Dolomitic limestone.
What vineyard practice is being reconsidered in Alto Adige with climate change?
Leaf picking.
Formerly a common practice but viticulturists need to be more careful now about leaf picking so as not to burn/dry out the grapes.
What are the two largest growing zones in Alto Adige?
- Bassa Atesina;
- Oltradige.
Bassa Atesina:
- Where in Alto Adige is it (north or south)?
- Is it warm or cool there?
- What is the one red grape not grown there?
- In the south;
- Warm;
- Schiava.
The grapes in Oltradige are grown in 3 distinct growing areas.
What are they, and which grapes are grown in each area?
- Lake Caldaro area: Schiava;
- In valleys: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon;
- At higher altitudes: Pinot Noir and white varieties.
What is the German name for Schiava?
Vernatsch.
What grape is blended into Schiava in the Santa Magdalena DOC?
Up to 15% Lagrein.
Because most white wines of Alto Adige are focused on primary fruit aromas and flavors, how are they vinified?
- Must fermented at low to moderate temperatures (12–15°C/54–59°F);
- Selected yeasts;
- Stainless steel;
- Aged on fine lees 4-6 months.
Wines from Alto Adige labeled ‘Bianco’ must be a minimum percent of what grapes?
What other rule surrounds this designation?
- Minimum 75% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco or Pinot Grigio;
- Two of these varieties must be present but no single variety can exceed 70% of the whole blend.
In the Alto Adige DOC, bottles labeled as single varieties must have a minimum of ___% of the stated grape.
85%
Lago di Caldaro DOC grows only this grape.
Schiava
The largest subzone in Alto Adige is ______.
Alto Adige Valle Isarco
The maximum yield for white wines in Alto Adige is ___ hL/ha.
90 hL/ha
Co-ops in Alto Adige account for ___% of total production.
70%
This is the same percentage as Trentino’s co-op production
___% of the wines produced in Friuli are white.
76%