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Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1: The Wines of Northern Italy > Foundation > Flashcards

Foundation Flashcards

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1
Q

How far back have Vitis Vinifera vines been dated in Italy?

A

The Quaternary Period (2.5 mya)

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2
Q

Which civilization first promoted the development of viticulture and wine in the western Mediterranean?

A

The Phoenicians

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3
Q

Who were the Etruscans?

A

A winegrowing civilization that developed in Toscana and Umbria before the 8th century BC

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4
Q

What wine skills did the Etruscans teach the indigenous tribes of Italy?

A

How to grow grapes, make wine, and preserve wine.

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5
Q

What is alberata?

A

An Etruscan system of training vines high above ground using trees as supports.

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6
Q

How are vines trained in Aversa DOC?

A

Alberata

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7
Q

Where did the Greeks settle in Italy? What name did the Romans give their settlements?

A

Sicilia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia, called Magna Graecia by the Romans

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8
Q

What did the Greeks call southern Italy?

A

Oenotria, meaning “the land of vines”

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9
Q

Who was the Greek god of wine? Who was the Roman equivalent?

A

Dionysus to the Greeks, Bacchus to the Romans

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10
Q

When did the Roman Republic become the dominant force in Italy?

A

The 4th century BC

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11
Q

In what way did the Roman road network affect the wine industry?

A

Made Italy a major center for production and trade because goods were easy to transport

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12
Q

Where else in Europe did the Romans spread grapevines?

A

Throughout Spain, the Rhone Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Mosel, and the Rhine

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13
Q

When did Rome lose its political supremacy over Italy?

A

330 AD, when the capitol of the Roman Empire was moved to Constantinople

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14
Q

What happened in 395 AD?

A

The Roman Empire was split into Eastern and Western Empires

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15
Q

How did viticulture and winemaking survive the Dark Ages in Italy?

A

Monasteries carried on wine production for religious and medical purposes

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16
Q

Who were the Lombards?

A

A Germanic tribe who settled in Italy in 568 AD and controlled most of the north

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17
Q

Which territories made up the Papal States?

A

Lazio, Marche, Umbria, and part of Emilia-Romagna

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18
Q

Why was Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor?

A

He defended the Papal States against the Lombards and drove them out of Italy

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19
Q

Who united the Kingdom of Sicilia? When?

A

The Normans in 1130

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20
Q

What were the communi of the Middle Age?

A

The kingdoms, duchies, principalities, and small political entities that evolved into city-states

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21
Q

Define metayage

A

An Italian form of sharecropping in which the landowner took half of each year’s harvest from the farmer working the land as payment

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22
Q

Define signoria

A

A 14th century system in which wealthy noble families ruled over the communi

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23
Q

What made up the “Maritime Republics”?

A

The city-states of Venezia, Genova, and Pisa

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24
Q

Which kingdoms made up Italy by the 15th century?

A

Savoy, Milano, Venezia, Genova, Firenze, the Papal States, Napoli, Aragon (Spain), and Sicilia

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25
Q

What was the Rinascimento?

A

The Italian Renaissance

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26
Q

How did the discovery of the Americas in 1492 affect Italy?

A

It created an economic crisis by making Mediterranean trade routes less important to global commerce

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27
Q

What happened as a result of the winter freeze of 1709?

A

It destroyed the vineyards of Northern Italy, leading growers to replant with cold-resistant, but lower-quality, varieties

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28
Q

When did Barolo, Chianti, and Brunello di Montalcino adopted their contemporary styles?

A

The 19th century

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29
Q

What was the Risorgimento?

A

A period of political and civil rebirth that began in 1815 and led to Italy’s political unification

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30
Q

Who began the actual process of unifying Italy?

A

The Kingdom of Sardegna, by defeating the Hapsburg Austrians in 1859

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31
Q

What changes took place in Italy after phylloxera?

A

Vineyards were replanted with international varieties, and many indigenous varieties were lost forever

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32
Q

When was the DOC system adopted?

A

1963

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33
Q

What was the first DOC?

A

Vernaccia di San Gimignano in 1966

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34
Q

Which country is the largest producer of wine in the world?

A

Italy and France go back and forth

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35
Q

When did Italy’s “second wine renaissance” begin?

A

The 1990s

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36
Q

What did the EU introduce in 2009?

A

Regulations to standardize quality levels and labeling of wines with geographical place names

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37
Q

What are the tiers of the EU Wine Quality Pyramid?

A

Designation of Origin (DOP), geographic indication (PGI), generic wine with grape and/or vintage, generic wine

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38
Q

What were the tiers of the Italian Wine Quality Pyramid prior to the EU reform in 2009?

A

DOCG, DOC, IGT, Vini da tavola

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39
Q

What are the tiers of the Italian Wine Quality Pyramid since the 2009 EU reform?

A

DOCG/DOC (PDO), IGT (PGI), vino (comprising both generic designations)

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40
Q

What geographic designations do the majority of Italian wines use?

A

DOCG, DOC, or IGT

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41
Q

What are the EU criteria for DOP wines?

A

Quality wines of distinct regional character grown and made within the DOP’s boundaries

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42
Q

What distinguishes DOCG wines from DOC wines?

A

DOCG wines have more stringent production criteria; may include lower yields, higher planting density, higher potential alcohol, higher final alcohol, longer aging requirements

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43
Q

In order to be sold as DOCG, how are wines evaluated?

A

Lab analysis and blind tasting

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44
Q

What is a fascetta?

A

The golden seal on DOCG (blue on DOC) wines that ensures authenticity. Prior to 2011 DOCG seals were purple for reds, green for whites, pink for sparkling

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45
Q

How long must an appellation hold DOC status before it can be promoted to DOCG?

A

10 years

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46
Q

How many DOCGs are there in Italy?

A

74 (as of 2017)

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47
Q

What are the requirements of a DOC wine?

A

Type of wine produced (red, white, etc.), grape varieties, vineyard yields, minimum potential alcohol, final alcohol, minimum period of aging

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48
Q

How many DOCs are there in Italy?

A

334 (as of 2017)

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49
Q

What is a sottozona?

A

More restricted areas within a DOCG or DOC that have special climatic, topographical, or soil conditions, usually requiring more stringent production rules

50
Q

Define classico

A

A DOCG or DOC sub-zone corresponding to an original or historical production area for a specific wine

51
Q

What does MGA stand for and what is it?

A

Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva, a specific delimited vineyard area within a DOCG/DOC analogous to the French “Cru”

52
Q

What are the requirements of an IGT wine?

A

Middle tier of the quality pyramid defined by geographic indication. May show grape variety and vintage. At least 85% of the fruit must come from the stated region and production must take place there

53
Q

How many IGTs are there in Italy?

A

118 (as of 2017)

54
Q

What is a disciplinare di produzione?

A

The legal document containing guidelines and production rules for a DOCG, DOC, or IGT

55
Q

For DOCGs and DOCs, what does the disciplinare di produzione formalize?

A

Label nomenclature, varieties, geographic boundaries, where vineyards can be planted, viticultural and winemaking requirements, chemical-physical and organoleptic parameters

56
Q

What is a consorzio?

A

A voluntary association of producers, merchants, and cooperatives belonging to a specific DOCG or DOC

57
Q

What is the purpose of the consorzio?

A

Protecting, promoting, and developing the reputation and interest of the DOCG/DOC

58
Q

What must be contained on an EU wine label?

A

Appellation, quality designation, country, vintage, name and location of the bottler, indication of batch, ABV, volume, residual sugar (if sparkling)

59
Q

What countries does Italy border?

A

Switzerland and Austria to the north, France to the northwest, and Slovenia to the northeast

60
Q

What are the important mountain ranges of Italy?

A

The Alps and the Apennines

61
Q

How do the Alps affect wine production in Italy?

A

They block the cold Northern European winds and the humid currents from the Atlantic Ocean, moderating the climate of northern Italy

62
Q

What are the Prealps?

A

Lower altitude mountains contiguous to the Alps that links the northern Italian plains with the Alps proper

63
Q

The origin of many Italian mountains is…?

A

Volcanic

64
Q

On what topographical feature are most Italian winegrowing districts found?

A

Hillsides flanking both sides of the Apennines

65
Q

What are the three main categories of Italian hills?

A

Sedimentary, Morainic, and Volcanic

66
Q

What are sedimentary hills, and where are they found in Italy?

A

Hills formed by the uplift of the ancient sea bed, found in Langhe, Monferrato, and Chianti

67
Q

What are Morainic hills, and where are they found in Italy?

A

Hills formed by Alpine glacial deposits with high gravel and sand content, found parallel to the Prealps and Alps (as in Lake Garda and Franciacorta)

68
Q

What are volcanic hills, and where are they found in Italy?

A

The remains of ancient, extinct volcanoes, found in Veneto, Toscana, Lazio, Campania, and Sicilia

69
Q

What is Italy’s largest plain?

A

The Padana Plain (or Po Valley), making up 2/3 of Italy’s total plains

70
Q

What is Italy’s largest river?

A

The Po

71
Q

The Padana Plain is made up of parts of which regions?

A

Piemonte, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Friuli Venezia Giulia

72
Q

Which seas surround Italy?

A

The Adriatic in the east, Ionian in the southeast, Tyrrhenian in the southwest, and Ligurian in the northwest

73
Q

Where does the Po River empty?

A

The Adriatic Sea

74
Q

Which lakes play a role in moderating the cool Alpine climate?

A

Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, and Lake Iseo

75
Q

What metric is key to determining the climate of Italian winegrowing areas?

A

Elevation (not latitude!)

76
Q

What is the unifying feature of Italy’s cllimate?

A

Interplay between elevation and Mediterranean influences - Italy has some of the latest harvests in Europe

77
Q

What is the climate of Northern Italy?

A

Fully continental in the Padana Plain, with Alpine influence in Alps, with Mediterranean influence in coastal areas

78
Q

What is the climate of Central and Southern Italy?

A

Warm Mediterranean

79
Q

What special effect does the Tyrrhenian Sea have on Italy’s western climate, and why?

A

It is deeper and larger than the Adriatic, exerting a stronger moderating influence on Western Italy than the Adriatic in the east

80
Q

Why can vineyards be found in moderate climatic conditions even in the south of Italy?

A

The inland areas of Italy are mountainous, and are therefore cooler due to higher elevations

81
Q

Where in Italy is hail a serious threat?

A

In the north

82
Q

Define sedimentary rock

A

Rock formed over a period of time through the accumulation and cementation of sediment of various origins, transported by water, ice, wind, or gravity

83
Q

What are the origins of most sedimentary Italian soils?

A

Alluvial or marine matter, the formation of mountains, or from glaciers

84
Q

What are the origins of Italy’s alluvial soils?

A

The result of sediment transported by flowing rivers, largely composed of gravels, sand, silt, and clay

85
Q

What is the composition of Italy’s marine soils?

A

Sedimentary limestones, calcareous marls, and dolomite formed by the accumulation of marine fossils and mineral deposits when Italy was covered by the sea

86
Q

Which major Italian wine regions have sedimentary soils?

A

The Langhe, Valpolicella, Collio, Colli Orientali del Friuli, Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Chianti, and Montalcino

87
Q

Define a moraine

A

A deposit of sediment (rocks and soil) transported by a glacier. Think of it as a sedimentary mound

88
Q

Which Italian wine regions have moraine soils?

A

Northern Piemonte, Franciacorta, Valtellina, and the areas around Lake Garda

89
Q

Define metamorphic rock with examples

A

The result of sedimentary or igneous rock changed by high temperatures and extreme pressure. Schist and gneiss are examples

90
Q

Which Italian wine regions have high metamorphic rock content?

A

Sardegna, Calabria, northeastern Sicilia, and some areas along the Alps

91
Q

Where in Italy are vineyards cultivated on active volcanoes?

A

Etna in Sicilia and Vesuvio in Campania

92
Q

Where in Italy are volcanic soils caused by the formation of the Apennines found?

A

Toscana, Lazio, Basilicata, and Campania

93
Q

Where in Italy are volcanic soils caused by the formation of the Alps found?

A

Veneto, particularly Lessini, Colli Euganei, and Colli Berici

94
Q

What is a regioni, and how many are there in Italy?

A

The administrative regions of Italy. There are 20

95
Q

How are regioni divided?

A

Into smaller provincie (provinces), named for the main city located within the province

96
Q

How are provincie divided?

A

Into comuni (municipalities)

97
Q

What is significant about the current regional and provincial boundaries of Italy?

A

They follow the pre-unification territorial borders, and represent major differences in culture, traditions, languages, food, and wine

98
Q

What are the top three countries for area under vine in the world?

A

Spain, France, Italy

99
Q

What are the viticultural drawbacks of mezzadria?

A

It incentivizes quantity over quality, disincentivizes limiting yields, and provides no capital for subsistence farmers to invest in advanced equipment or methods

100
Q

When was mezzadria abolished?

A

The 1960s

101
Q

What high-trained vine systems are descendants of the alberata system?

A

Pergola and tendone

102
Q

Where is the pergola system used in Italy?

A

Trentino, Alto Adige, Veneto, and Romagna

103
Q

Why has the tendone system been largely replaced?

A

It is highly productive

104
Q

What are the broad categories of Italian Vertical Shoot Positioning systems?

A

Cordone Speronato and Guyot

105
Q

Define cordone speronato

A

A single spur-pruned, permanent cordon, trained horizontally, suitable for medium-to-poor soils and allowing for mechanized pruning

106
Q

Define Guyot training

A

One or two new canes are kept every year and trained horizontally, particularly suited for poor, dry, hillside soils

107
Q

Define alberello

A

Bush-trained vine system found in Sicilia, Sardegna, Puglia, and Valle d’Aosta

108
Q

When were international grape varieties introduced to Italy?

A

The 19th century

109
Q

What are the three most widely-planted variety in Italy?

A

Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Catarratto Bianco

110
Q

What is the most widely-planted white variety in Italy?

A

Catarratto Bianco

111
Q

Is chaptalization allowed in Italy?

A

No

112
Q

Define arricchimento

A

Must enrichment by rectified concentrated grape must, permissible in some DOCGs/DOCs

113
Q

Is acid adjustment permitted in Italy?

A

Yes, but strictly regulated by climate zone

114
Q

High-quality red wine producers still use macerations of what length?

A

3-4 weeks

115
Q

How were red wines traditionally aged in Italy?

A

Large Slovenian oak or chestnut botti

116
Q

What Italian white wine production practice was largely abandoned in the 1970s?

A

Fermentation on the skins

117
Q

How are most Italian sparkling wines produced?

A

Tank (charmat) method

118
Q

Two examples of Italian traditional method sparkling wines

A

Franciacorta DOCG and Trento DOC

119
Q

How are most Italian sweet wines produced?

A

Drying the grapes after harvest (appassimento)

120
Q

How are most Italian rosatos produced?

A

Direct press or bleeding the tank

Italian Wine Scholar Unit 1: The Wines of Northern Italy (3 decks)

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