Foundation Flashcards
How did the Estruscans help Italy’s viticulture and wine history?
- Taught local tribes wine growing, winemaking, and preservation techniques
- Alberata/Maritata all’Albero using trees to train vines. Allowed poly-crop planting training systems
- Developed wine trade and exportation
How did the Greeks help Italy’s viticulture and wine history?
- “Oenotria” - southern wine region
- Alberello low-head training techniques
- Turned wine into essential commodity
How did the Romans help Italy’s viticulture and wine history?
- Improved & refined Estrucan & Greek techniques
- Popularized and spread vine crops through parts of Europe (Spain, Rhône, Rhine)
- Made Italy center for wine production & trade
How did conquering tribes in Italy influence wine regions?
-Viticulture and wine culture declined:
-Lombards: controlled northern regions, some central & southern
-Eastern Roman Empire- central and Papal States
-Sicily- Arab & Norman rule
How did the Dark Ages impact Italy’s wine industry?
-Wine production significantly dropped
-Trade became dangerous
-Wine culture was saved by monasteries
How did the discovery of the Americas impact Italys wine regions?
Mediterranean trade routes lost importance and decreased Italy’s economic and social development
What was instrumental to Italys unification in 1861?
House of Savoy/Duchy of Savoy obtained Sardegna. Because Kingdon of Sardegna
-Kingdom of Sardegna + Resurgimento led to unification
How did phylloxera shape Italy’s wine regions?
-Destroyed and replanted considerable international varieties
-Many indigenous varieties were lost completely
What were the major 20th century events that shaped Italy’s modern wine industry?
-1950s/1960s: consumer class demand for wine
-1963 DOC created to regulate & protect wine industry
-Abolition of “mezzadria” share-cropping
Give the structure of European Union wine laws 
(Bottom to top)
Generic
Generic w/ grape and/or vintage
PGI (with geographical indication)
PDO (with geographical indication)
Italian Wine Laws structure
(Bottom to top)
Vino- Generic
Vino- Generic w/ grape and/or vintage
PGI/IGP (traditionally IGT)
PDO- DOC or DOP
PDO - DOCG
DOC labeling requirements
-PDO
-From delimited geographical area
-Follow discipliaire, less stringent than DOCG
-Lab tested
-Blue fascetta/sigillo (seal) optional
-332 (+/-) DOCs
DOCG Labeling requirements
PDO, highest classification
-Delimited geographical area, usually smaller than DOC
-Stringent discipliaire production requirements including type, production cycle, variety, yield, min potential alcohol, final alcohol & aging
-Laboratory tested + blind tasting
-Gold fascetta/sigillo (seal)
-Min 10 years as DOC
74 DOCGs
IGT Labeling requirements
-Middle quality
-Defined by area made, usually large province(s) or region(s)
- 85% of grapes from stated region
-85% of production from stated region
-Can state IGP (EU term) or IGT (It. Term)
-118 IGTs
What information can be on a vini Label? What varieties are allowed?
Vini = Generic wine.
-Country of origin
-Can be labeled by color, variety (85% min) variety (85%)
-7 permitted varieties: Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Cabernet (CS + CF) Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
DOC/DOCG Regulations
-Labeling terms
-Grape variety
-Geographical boundaries
-Viticulture practices:
planting density, pruning/training, max yields, min ripeness aka potential alcohol)
-Winemaking practices:
Min final alcohol, oak and/or bottle ageing
-Chemical-physical parameters (acidity, sugar)
-Organoleptic parameters (color, aroma, flavor)
Sottozona requirements
Sub-zones within in a DOCG or DOC
-Special climate, topography, soils OR historical tie
-labels can list subzone and/or subzone and grape
What is a consorzio?
Voluntary association of producers, merchants and cooperatives that represent interests of wine district or sub region
-Create disciplinaire
-legally regulated
What is the Disciplinare di Produzione?
Legal document defining IGT, DOC, and DOCG growing and production rules
EU Mandatory Labeling Terms
- Name of Appellation
- Name of quality designation (eg DOC)
- Country of origin
- Vintage (harvest year)
- Name and location of bottler
- Batch indication
- Alcohol level
- Volume of liquid e 
What part of Europe is Italy located in?
Southern
What is the topography of Italy?
35% Mountains: Alps and Apennine’s
42% Hills: Prealps; Central and southern along Apenine
Volcanic, sedimentary, morainic
23% Plains: Padana (Po Valley), Tavoliere d’elle Puglie (Puglia)
Seas: Mediterranean - Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian, Liguarian
Rivers, lakes
How do Italian mountain ranges effect climate?
-Extends the growing season. One of the latest harvest times in Europe
-Helps maintain acidity
-Helps maintain aroma
How do seas effect Italy’s climate?
-Mediterranean provides warmth and humidity
-Tyrrhenian is deep and large and exerts more moderating influence on Western Italy
What are the sedimentary areas of Italy and how did they form?
Sediment: formed through accumulation and cémentation
Alluvial (rivers) - gravel & sand : Padana Plain
Marine - limestone, calcaereous, dolomite: Alp regions - Langhe, Valpolicella, Collio, Colli, Conegliano, Valdobbiadene, Chianti, Montalcino
Define orogenesis
Formation of mountain ranges.
-Created sedimentary soils
Define moraine and where they are found
Sediment that was transported by a glacier; creates a mound
-Northern Piemonte, Franciacorta, Valtellina, Lake Garda
How is metamorphic rock formed and where is it found?
Sedimentary or igneous Rock exposed to high temperatures and pressure which changes rock structure
-Commonly found in mountainous regions - Sardegna, Calabrian, northeast Sicily and Alps
What are the volcanic areas of Italy?
Sardegna,
Alps
Veneto prealps
Toscana
Lazio
Basilicata
Campania
How is Italy divided politically?
5 autonomous: Valle d’Aosta, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli VG, Sicily, and Sardinia, following historical lines
Regions > Provinces (provinci) >Municiplaties (comum)
How did the mezzadria system impact Italy’s wine development?
Mezza- half of the profit of rented farm land went to the owner
-Dominant system of crop growing in Italys development
-While it was legal, quantity and multiple crops were the focus, not quality
-Little money to invest in equipment or method advancements
-After abolished, focus on higher quality clones and vines
Define alberata system and where it is used.
Tying a vine to a tree (vine married to a tree)
-This method transferred to pergola:
-Trentino Alto Adige
-veneto
-Romagna
And Tendone in southern regions
How are Italy’s native grape varieties important to the wine industry?
-Native varieties represent 1/4 of worlds cultivated grape varieties
-Give grape growers unique, non-replicable wines
-Most are late-ripening and need warm conditions
What events led to the planting of international varieties in Italy?
-French and German cuttings brought in 19th century: Pinot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
-After phylloxera outbreak (early 20th cent), grafted onto French varieties and indigenous varieties not replanted
-1970s - 1990s; Pinto Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and rise of super Tuscans
What are the most widely planted varieties overall and where are they grown?
- Sangiovese: Tuscany, Romagna, elsewhere
- Montepulciano: Abruzzo
- Catarratto Blanco: Sicily
- Merlot: Veneto, n/e Italy
- Trebbiano: Tuscany
Other reds: Barbera, Nero d’Avola
Other whites: Chardonnay (for sparkling), Glera, Pinot Grigio
100 varieties widely cultivated
List the common sparkling winemaking techniques
-Tank: Metodo Martinotti
-Traditional: aka Metodo Classico or Talento
-Frizzante: fizzy, 1 - 2.5atm
-Regional methods: Franciacorta, Trento - strict yield and lees aging requirements
-Ancestral: Rifermentazione naturale in bottiglia
White winemaking methods traditional v. Modern
Traditional: must fermentation
Modern, light: stainless steel, cool, long fermenation
Cultured yeast
Filtration & centrifugation
Modern, complex: stainless steel or wood
Short, cold maceration
Red winemaking methods traditional v modern
Traditional: oak fermentation, long
Punching down
Long oak maturation in Slavonian oak or chestnut casks
Modern: stainless steel, oak or both fermentation
Pumping over, cap submerging or rotofermenters
Shortened maceration
Small, new oak or large neutral casks
Winemaking enhancement rules
Chaptalisation: disallowed
Must enrichment: allowed when listed in disciplinare with MCR for poor vintages
Acid addition: Zone CII (some northern, central, and some southern) CIIIb, allowed (south)
Deacdifiy: Zone C1 - Valle d’Aosta, CII (north, central, some southern)
Methods for creating Rosato
direct press
Bleeding the tank (salasso)
Define passito
A sweet wine made from semi-dried grapes
Define recioto
A sweet wine made from semi-dry grapes in the Veneto area
What were the ancient civilizations that influenced Italy’s wine development? When did they rule?
- Etruscans Antiquity - 8th century BC
- Greeks 8 - 6 BCE
- Romans 4th BCE - 5C AD
Who was Carlo ALberto?
King of Savoy
1798 - 1849
Who was Count Camilo Benso di Cavour?
Important in Piedmont unification of Italy
1818 - 1861
1861 - first Prime Minister
Dry Barolo
Who was Vittoria Emanuelle II?
King of Italy during unification
1820 - 1878
When was DOC appellation originally enacted (decade)?
1960s (1963)
Which was the first appellation to receive DOC?
Vernacci di San Gimignao
1966
When was the first DOCG enacted?
1980
Who was Giacomo Tachis?
Wine Renaissance - Sangiovese development in Toscana
Who was Mario Schiopetto?
Wine renaissance: white wine technique development in Friuli
Who was Angelo Gaja?
Wine renaissance: popularized Barberesco in Piedmont
Who was Giorgio Lungarotti?
Wine renaissance: development of Sangiovese in Umbria
Who was Anotonio Mastroberardino?
Wine renaissance: important in saving native varieties in Irpinia, Campagnia
Who was Séverine Garofano?
Wine Renaissance in Puglia
Define classico
Type of subzone
-Usually original historic area
-Longstanding tradition or reputation for particular wine
Define MGA
More specific area of production w/in DOC/G
usually used for labeling terms
Typically smaller than a subzone
Similar to “cru”
Name the regions that make traditional method sparkling wines
Franciacorta
Trento
Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico
Alta Langa DOC
Name the tank method appellations
Asti
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG
Prosecco DOC
Lambrusco
Brachetto d’Acqui
Name the appellations the use Ancestral method sparkling wines
Lambrusco
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore
Name the main passito style appellations
Valle d’Aosta (fletri)
Erbaluce di Caluso {Piemonte}
Cinque Terre Sciacchetra {Liguria}
Moscato di Scanzo {Lombardia}
Romagna Albana {ER}
Colli Piacentini Malvasia {ER}
Colli Piacentini Vin Santo {ER}
Trentino vin Santo
Reciotos (Soave, Gambellara, Valpolicella) {Veneto}
Breganze Torcolato {Veneto}
Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio {Veneto}
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit {FVG}
Ramandolo {FVG}
Name the 5 sweet Nothern whites effected by Noble Rot
Romagna Albana {Albana}
Trentino Vino Santo {Nosiola}
Recioto di Soave {Garganega}
Breganze Torcolato {Vespaiola}
Recioto della Valpolicella {Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella}
Name the principal Rosatos of Northern Italy (4)
Riviera del Garda Classico Chiaretto {Lombardia}
Bardolino Chiaretto {Veneto}
Lagrein Kretzer {Alto Adige}
Oremasco di Pornassio Sciactra {Liguria}
Which northern region is most closely associated with Schiava?
Alto Adige
Trentino
Which northern region is most closely associated with Lambrusco varieties?
Emilia Romagna
Lombardia
Which norther region is most closely associated with Sangiovese?
Emilia-Romagna
Liguria
Which norther regions are most closely associated with Turbiana?
Lombardia (Trebbiano di Lugana)
Veneto (Trebbiano di Soave)
Which northern region is most closely associated with Pinot Bianco?
Trentino
Alto Adige
Which norther region is most closely associated with Muller Thurgau & Gewurztraminer?
Alto Adige
Trentino
Valle d’Aosta (M-T only)
Which northern regions are associated with Pinot Nero?
Valle d’Aosta
Lombardia
Alto Adige
What are the top 3 regions in Italy for total DOC/DOCGs?
- Piedmont
- Toscana
- Veneto
When did the Kindgom of Italy form?
1861
Tai Rosso is a synonym for
Cannanou
Which northern region does not have a continental climate?
Valle d’Aosta - alpine. Liguria - Mediterranean
Trenton and AA have contintal because of moderating effects of lakes and alps blocking air. Some of Veneto is Mediterranean but as a whole continental
What vine training system did Estrucans introduce?
Alberata/Vite Maritata all’Albero
-Vines trained high on or between trees
What vine training system did the Greeks introduce?
Alberello
-Low bush training
Who was instrumental in unification of Italy in 1861?
The House of Savoy with resurgimento movement unified into Kingdom of Sardena
Who were the pioneer producers in Toscana?
Tenuta San Guido - Sassicaia
Capezzana - Carmignano
Ricasoli - Chianti Classico
Antinori - Tignanello (Super Tuscans)
Biondi-Santi - Brunello di Montalcino
Who were the key producers in Umbria?
Lungarotti -Torgiano
Arnaldo Caprai - Montefalco
Who are the key producers in Marche?
Fazi Batteliga
Who are the key producers in Campania?
Mastroberardino - Irpinia
Villa Matilde, Moio - Falerno del Massico
Who is the key producer in Puglia?
De Castris - Rosato/Salento (5 Roses)
Who is the key producer in Calabria?
Librandi - Ciro
Which regions in Central Italy have volcanic soil?
Bolgheri (Toscana)
Orvieto (Umbria)
Frascati (Lazio)
What regions in southern Italy have volcanic soils?
Vulture (Basilicata)
Etna, Lipari, Pantelleria (Sicilia)
Falerno del Massico, Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei (Campania)
What is the main plain in southern Italy?
Tavoliere delle Puglie
What are the major lakes and rivers in central and southern Italy?
Lakes: Trasimeno
Bolsena
Bracciano
Rivers: Arno
Tevere
Volturno
What is archetto?
Vine training technique
Variation on guyot
Balances vigor throughout wine
What are the principal rosatos of Central/Southern Italy?
Barco Reale di Carmignano Rosato
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Castel del Monte Bombino Nero DOC
Salice Salentino DOC
Salento IGT
Name the principal sweet wines of Central and Southern Italy
Vin Santo - Chianti/Classico, Montepulciano, Carmignano
Elba Aleatico Passito DOCG
Montefaclo Sagrantino Passito DOCG
Orvieto Muffa Nobile
Lacrima di Morro d’Alba Passito
Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi Passito DOC
Cannellini di Frascati DOCG
Greco di Bianco
Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale
Marsala
Passito di Panhellenic & Moscato di Panhellenic
Malvasia delle Lipari Passito & Malvasia delle Lipari
Malvasia di Bosa
What regions had Roman crus?
Lazio - Caecubum
Campania - Falernum
Silicia- Mamertinum
What is the Greek and Roman style of wines?
Sweet, alcoholic
Diluted with water (sea water), resin, herbs, spices
