Foundation Chapter Flashcards
How long have been fossiles vines detected in different parts of italy?
At Quaternary period (2.5 Ma)
Name the different tribes which cultivated the Vitis vinifera in Italy at:
. Northwest :
. Northeast :
. Central Italy
. South Italy
. Serdegna
. Northwest : Rhaeti, Salasi and Liguri
. Northeast : Veneti
. Central Italy : Piceni
. South Italy: Samnites
. Serdegna : Nuragic
Which people promoted the developement of viticulture and wine before the arrival of greeks and expansion of etruscans?
The phoenicians
Which civilization developed in the modern Tuscany and Umbria ?
The Etruscans
When did the Estruscans have their peak as civilization?
Which river valley as well which regions did they habit?
6th century BC
They habited north part along Po River in the modfern areas of Lombardia, Veneto, Piemonte and Emilia-Romagna
By which trellising system did the estruscans domesticated the wild vines?
Using trees as natural supports
Alberata or vite maritata all’albero
In which italian DOC they are still using the alberata trellising method?
Aversa DOC in Campania region
Aspirnio grapes on poplar and elm trees
Did the etruscans developed a market up to France and spain? If yes, when?
Yes.
7th century BC
When did the Greeks arrived to the southernmost part of Italy?
Which regions?
7th century
Sicilia, Campania, Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia
How did the Romans named the area of Southern Italy where Greeks settled?
Magna Grecia
How did the Greeks name the south of Italy and why?
Oenotria
Since they released the enormous potential of Italy because of its ideal climate and heterogeneity of soils
Which was the Greek God of Wine?
And its roman name?
Dionysius
Bacchus
Because of who the Etruscans started its decline and when?
Because of the invasion of celitic tribes to the north of Italy between 6-5 century BC
Since which century the Roman Republic became a major political and militar power?
Which was the status on 3th BC
What did happen on the 42 BC
Since 4th BC
By the 3rd BC Rome dominated almost all the italian peninsula
In 42 BC the Roman citizenship was given to every inhabitant on the pemninsula
Name some of the authors which wrote relative works on vines in Roma
Columella
Cato the elder
Horace
Virgilius
Pliny the elder
Which was the work of Columella related to the wine?
What did he mention on it
De re rustica
Ideal soils and most indícate
winegrowing areas for each grape variety
Which wines from which regions could be considered the first grand crus of Roman Italy?
Caecubum at the Lazio
Falernum at Campania
Mamertinum at Sicily
What does mean that the wines drunk by Romans followed greek habits?
THat they were sweet and alcoholic.
Often diluted with water, usually flavoured and stabilized with a mixture of:
. sea water
. resin
. herbs
. spices
. honey
What did happen in Italy in 49 BC?
Juluis Cesar finished the 500 years of Roman Republic
Who followed Julius Cesar?
His great-nephew Octavius who would become Augustus
How was the scenario of the Roman Empire
Roma was the largest city in the world
The Empire covered:
. all the western Europe including Britain
. large part of middle and eastern Europe
. northern Africa
. middle east
Organized into large provinces
No foreign province enjoyed of the Roman citizenship with the exception of the Italian peninusla
Which wines acquired respect and esteem under Augustus?
Rhaeticum(Retico) produced in the Veneto aroun Verona (Valpolicella)
Pucinum made in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Everywhere romans invaded they brought know how and wine making.
Where they were?
Spain
Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhone Valley
Mosel and Rhine rivers
When and why was once forbidden the planting of more vines in Italy?
In 92 AD since the plantings were replacing the planting of wheat.
when and who gave the roman citizenship for all the empire
212 AD Caracalla
When Rome lost supremacy?
In 330 when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople
When was the roman empire divided in Western and Eastern?
Which was the capital of the Western one?
395 AD
Milano
Later Ravenna
When was the roman empire divided in Western and Eastern?
Which was the capital of the Western one?
395 AD
Milano
Later Ravenna
When did fall the Western Roman empire and why?
What did happen with the wine industry?
476 AD due to the invasions from the north by the Goths and Vandals
It entered on a profound regression
When started the use of wooden barrels?
What did they replace?
Which was it worst defect?
The middle ages 6 - 13th centuries
Terracota Vessels
They were not airtight
Which people invaded most of the italian territory between the late 5th century and 6th century?
Who battled against then and recover the country?
Which was the state of the country after this war?
Who reconquered it?
What would they got finally?
The Germanic Ostrogoth
The Eastern Roman emperor Justinian and conquered for himself in 533 AC.
The country was left in starvartion.
The weak moment was profited by another German tribe, the Lombards settled in Italy in 568
They would conquer the rest of Italy leaving for the Empire just the Veneto Adriatic coast, parts f central and southern italy and Sicilia and Cerdegna.
Today’s Lazio remained as Duchy of Rome
Which prople invaded most of the italian territory between the late 5th century and 6th century?
Who battled against then and recover the country?
The Germanic Ostrogoth
The Eastern Roman emeror Justinian and conquered for himself in 533 AC
Which was the main weakness for the Lombard Kingdom?
That it was divided in duchies more independent with time
When did the Lombards occupied Ravenna capital of the Western (aka eastern Roman Empire)?
What did it mean?
In 751 AC
They defeated the Eastern Roman Empoire presence in central Italy
When did the Franks defeat the Lombards defending the Pope?
And the second time?
In 756 AD
In 774 AD
Which were the territories that were donated to the Pope by the Franks after defeating the Lombards?
Lazio, Marche, Umbria and part of Emilia -Romagna
When does Chatlemagne die?
What was the implican y of his death?
In 814
Several towns and cities acquirted increasing independence
What did happen in the south in 9th century?
The arabs started to attack.
In the 10th centurt they took control of Sicily
When did the Normans (from north of France) defeat the arabs in the south of Italy and take control of Sicily
In 1130
About 11th century which was the main difference between Italy plitical organization and the rest of the territories as France or Spain?
In the rest of Europe, most of contries witnessed the arise of absolut monarchies while italy was divided into several kingdoms, duchies, pricipalities and small politial entities known as comuni
Give some examples of comuni
Milanio, Bologna Parma and Firenze
Which was the century when the decline of the viticulture and wine culture fially reversed?
13th century, due to a rising class of wealthy merchants
Who was Pier de Crezcensi?
An important agronomist who wrote documents about wie in 13th century
Which grapes were first mentioned on the Renascimento arount the 15th AC
. Nebbiolo and Garganega
. Cinque terre
. Aglianico
. Aleatico
. Chianti
. Vino nobile de Montepulciano
. Sangiovese di Romagna
What was the mezzadria
Practice of share-cropping adopted particularly in Central Italy
Which was the form of government which gradually replaced the comuni in the 13th and 14th?
La signoria: ruled by whelathy families which took control of the comuni
Samples of signorias
Medici in the Republic of Firenze
Sforza in Milano
Gonzaga in Mantova
Which were the Maritime Republics
Some cities that controlled the Mediterranean Sea trade
Which was the main problem of the commerce between state cities in the 15th?
Which was the solution?
The quantity of tolls, duties and taxes to be pais between states
To export
Name some kingdoms and cityi-states that controlled the Italian territoy by 15th century
Republic of Ventzia
Firenze (Medici family)
Republic of Genova
Milano (Visconti and Sforza families)
Papal states
Duchy of Savoy (Savoy, Valle d’Aosta and part of Piemonte)
Kingdom of Napoli and Kingdom of sicilia (linked to the kingdom of Aragon in Spain)
Between which centuries Italy was the center of the Renascimento ?
13th - 16 th
In spite of being cuturally advanced, which was the political status of the italian peninsula during the Renascimento?
France took control of the north
Spain of the south
Just the Republic of Venetia and the Papal states remained independent
What did mark a huge decline of the commerce in mediteranean, specially in the south of Italy?
The discovering of America in 1492
Scenario of Italian peninsula between 17 and 18th century
France, Spain and the Austrianb Hasburg house play and important role.
Spain kept control of the Kingodoms of Sicilia and Napoli
Papal states remained independent
Grand Duchy of Toscana remained independent (unitl second half 19th)
Why Italy remained far from innovations and glass bottles and corks commonin France or Germany?
Because during 17 and 18th Italy was isolated from most dynamic markets, with no incentive to improve
How and when did varieties as Trebbiano and Verduzzo arise?
In 1709 a winter freeze detroyed many european wine growing regions and many growers planted cold resistant varieties as these both
Which crucial step was taken in 1720 towards the Italian unification?
The Duchy of Savoy obtained the island of Serdegna, a major political power in italy.
How long was the Napoleon control fo a large part of central and northern Italy?
What did start at that year?
From end of 18th century until 1814-15 when the Austrian Hasburg Empire took the control
In 185 statted a political and cibil rebirth known as Risorgimiento
Which were the most famous and prestigious wines of Italiy which took their contemporary forms during the 19th century?
Barolo
Chianti
Brunello de Montalcino
When and which enological schools arose on 1870/80?
Enological School of Conegliano (Veneto)
Agrarian Institute of San michele all’Adige (Trentino)
Enological School of Alba (Piemonte)
Who and when was main responsables of the unification of Italy?
The actions of the Kingdom of Serdegna under the leadership of Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia.
His prime minister Camilo Benbso count of Cavour and
Giusseppe Garibaldi
When the Kingdom of Serdegna defeated the Austrian Empire and which regions were incorporated?
In 1869
The Gran Ducato di Toscana
Duchy of Amilia, Romagna and Parma
When was declared the United Kingdom of Italy
Which regions remained under the Austrian Empire
Which regions were independent?
March 17, 1861
Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tendtino Alto Adice remained under austrians (part of them would be incorporated in 1866 - not yet Trentino alto Adice)
Papal state (lazio, Unmbria and part of Emilia romagna) still independent (finally incorporated in 1870)
When and where started the phyloxera louse arrived to Italy?
When arrived to campania
where was the replanting of new varieties (and lost the indigenous ones) affrected more?
Lombardia, 1875
In Campania 1920-30
Veneto, Trentino Alto Adice and Frouli Venezia Giulia
When was declared Italy a Republic?
After the War, in 1946
When was launched the DOC systems and which was the first DOC?
In 1966
Vernaccia di San Gaminiano DOC
Where was declared the first single vineyard
In Barolo in the ’60s
Name important oenologists of the ‘60
Giacomo Tachis (Toscana)
Mario Schioopetto (Friuli Venezia Giulia)
Goirgio Lungarotti (Umbria)
Antonio Mastroberardino (Campania)
When were the first regluations rom EU and with which standard adopeted
2009
World trade Organization
In how many group the EU divided the wines
. wines with Designation of Origin
. wines without DEsignation of Origin (or generic wines)
Are still valid the local designations of each EU country
Yes they are still valid
Pyramid for EU wines
PDO (wine with protected DO)
PGI (wine with geographical designation)
Generic wines with grape and/or vintage
Generic Wines
Pyramid for Italian wines before 2009
DOCG wines with controlled designation of origin guaranteed
DOC wines with controlled desgination of origin
IGT Tipical Geographical Indication
** Vino da tavola**
Modern Italian wine Pyramid
DOCG/DOC wine with protected designation of origin
IGT wine with geographical indication
Vino (generci wines with grape and/or vintage/generic wines**
Can the producers choose between:
. *Denominazione de Origine Controllatta**
. Denominazione de Origine Protetta**?
Yes.
It’sm the same
What does reffer the Protected Desgination of Origin
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
. Region or specific place that produces wines of distinct quality with characteristics that are exclusive of tha region.
All the wines must be produced with grapes entorely grown in the stated geographical are and the production also
From a delimited goegraphical area
Stringent production rules
tested organoleptocally
States the type of wine (red, spraklings, sweey or white)
Fix :
grape varieties
vineyard yields
minumum potential alcohol
final alcohol level
munimum aging
What does refer the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita?
In addition to accompñish with the requirements of the DOC, the DOCG must include:
. lowers yields
. higher planting density
. higher minumum potential alcohol
. undergo laboratort analysis (chemical, physical and organolpetic parameters
. blind testing (tipicity)
it received a fascetta or sigillo
Colours of the facettas or sigillos
Sparkling : pink salmon
Yellow : white
Red : reds
Colours of the facettas or sigillos
Sparkling : pink salmon
Yellow : white
Red : reds
When can a DOC be promoted to DOCG?
After 10 years
Number of DOC and DOCG
74 DOCG
334 DOC
When asking for a new DOC or DOCG is it necessary to get any other approval besides the italina government one?
Yes, the approval of the UE
What is a sottozona?
Give an example of a sottozona
A subzone inside a DOCG or a DOC unique by climate, topography or soils
Example : Grumello, one of the subzones of Valtelina Superiore DOCG
Does a sottozona imply a more stringent production standard than the DOC or DOCG?
Yes
Informar DOC - DOCG Sottozona
Friuli Colli Orientali Ribolla Gialla di Rosazzo DOCG
Friuli Colli Orientali DOC
Rosazzo DOC
Can a Sottozona be named due to a grape variety?
Yes
What does it mean Classico
It can be considered a special case of subzone.
Original and historic winegrowing area within a DOCG and DOC
What is ia Menzione Geograficia Aggiuntiva?
It is an addtiuonal geographic designation of a specific delimited vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG
What is the difference between a MGA and a subzone?
MGA is smaller and owned by smaller producers
What is
Protected Geographical Inndication PGI
Indicazione Geografica Protetta IGP
Indicazione Geografica Tipica IGT
Middle level of Quality pyramid
Geographical indication of where the wines are made
They can be an entire province, region or multiple regions
The 85% of the grapes has to come from the tated geographical area
Less stringent requiremenrs than DOC or DOCG
What are Generic wines or Vini
Division
Wines without indication of origin.
It was before *vino a tavola”
Usually blends of multiple appelations
Division:
a. wines with indication of color
b. indication of the grape (85% in Italy from the known: cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, Chardonnay, merlot, Sauvignon blanc, syrah and cabernet)
What are the discipline di produzione
Official document behind IGT, DOC, DOCG
Guidelines and production rules
i.e in a DOC:
Viticulture
. grapes
. geographical aqreas
. where vineyards can be plantes
. planting density
. pruning
training syste,, maximum yields
Vinification
alcohol content
wood aging
chemical phyisical and roganolepiutc parameters
color aromas and flavors
What is a Consorzio
A voluntary asociation of producers, merchants and cooperatives belonging to a DOCG or DOC
Is regulated by law
Before the UE refomr had more power
List the EU Mandatory labeling requirements
. Name of the appelation (i.e. Barolo or Barbera d’Alba
. Categeory of the appelation DOC, DOCG or IGT
. Country of origin
. Year of vintage (harvest) exccept sparkling and fortified
. Name and location of the bottles
. Actual alcohol strength
. Indication of the batch
. Nominal volume of wine
. Sulfite warning
The can include a registered name
Between which paraleles is located Italy?
35º and 47º Lat N
How long is its coaest?
7400 km of coastline
Which is the % of Mountains, hills and Plains in Italy?
35% mountains
42% hills
23 % plains
Main mouintains in Italy
Main origin
. Alps
. Apenines
. Mountains in Serdegna and Sicily
Volcanic origin
Characteristics of the Alps
1000 km at the Italian northern border
Average altitude 140 msnm
Divided in Western, Central, and Eastern
Highest are Monte Bianco, Monte Rosa and Monte Cervino
They block cooler winds coming from the north
There are also Pre-Alps
Charactersitics of the Apenines
Divides in Northern, Central and Southern
About 1500 km from Liguria to Siciliy
Rge Massif of Gran Sasso in Abruzzo is the highest 2900 msnm
Hills in Italy
Division because of origin
Most vineyards are located in hills
Sedimentary hills uplift of ancient sea bed (Langhe, Montferrato and Chianti)
Morainic hills from alpine glacial deposits (Lake Garda, Bardolino)
Volcanic hills in Veneto, Toscana, Lazio, Campania and Sicily.
Plains in Italy
From the 23% of plains in Italy, the 1/3 part com from the Padana plain por Po Valley (600 km to the W)
What is the Pianura Veneto Friulana?
The eastermost part of the Padana plain between Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia
Which is the second largest plain in Italy?
La Tavoliere delle Puglie
Besides la Pianura Veneto Friulana and la Tavoliere della Puglia which other regions have plains in italy?
Emilia Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Puglia.
Name the seas around italy (the Mediterranean sea is divided in 4 major basins
. Adriatic sea (separating from the Balkan peninsula)
. Ionian sea separation from Greece
. Tyrrhenian separating Italy, Serdegna and Sicilia
. Ligurian Separating ligura from Corsica
From where does the Mediterranean name derives from
Middle of the earth
How are the Italian rivers compared with the ones from the rest of europe?
How is the impact of them on the climate?
Shorter and smaller
Less important.
Which is the most important basin in Italy
Name its more important tirbutaries
The Po, which runs through the Padana Plane
Tanaro
Dora Baltea
Sesia
Ticino
Adda
Ogglio
Which rivers empty directly to the Adriatic Sea
Adige
Brenta
Tagliamento
Al norte de Nápoles, los ríos Tavere, Arno and Volturno are rivers that empty where?
Thyrrenian sea
Where are important the lakes?
In the Northern part of the country
Name some important Italian LAKES
Lake Garda, Lake Cuomo, Lake Maggiore, Lale Isseo (these ones moderate the cooling influence of the Alps)
In central Italy Lake Trasimeno, Lake Bolsena and Lake Bracciano
Which could be a description of the climate in Italy?
Local weather patterns influenced by the Mediterranean Sea
When does the harvest take place in Italy compared to the rest of Europe
LATE
Which is the climate in norther Italy?
Mostly continental
Which is the difference in climate between the Italian Alps and Padana Plain?
Italian alps
. continental with alps influence
. winters long and severe
. summers warm with a lot fo sunshine
Padana plain
. fully continental
. hot summers and col winters
. Hilly Area between Alps and Apenines semicontinental
. Zones like liguria, Emilia romagna, Veneto and Friuli Venezia are affected by the sea
Which is the climate in central and southern Italy?
Warm Mediterranean
Mild winters and warm to hot summers
Which seas give more maritime influence, thrrhenian or Adriatic
Tyrrenhian since it is deeper and larger
How can vineyards find moderate climatic conditions in the central and south Italy?
with the altitude
Where are found the lowest average temperatures in Italy?
In the north
Affected by the Alps
Sea with no influence to the plains
Which particularity does have the Padana plain regarding the temperature
One of the coolest in winter one of the hottest in summer due to the isolating presence of Alps and apenines
Climate of central and south
Hot in the Coastal Areas as Liguria , Calabria, Marche, Puglia and Serdegna
Notes about rainfall
highest at mountainous areas as alps ans apenines (2500 - 3000)
lower in coast and plains (500 - 1200)
When does rainfall mainly occur?
Autum and winter
Which climatic zones from the UE cliatic scal enter in Italy?
CI : Trentino alto adice - Val d’Aosta
CII: norther and central italy
CIII : southern italy
Most of Italy vinieyards are found on (soils)
Sedimentary soils either alluvial or marine result of orogenesis or glaciation
Most of soils of the Padana plain are
alluvial (gravels, silt and clay)
Which are the italian soils of marine origin
Sedimentary limestones, calcareous marls and dolomites (250 mA).
Hardened clay and sandstone are found in Alps and Apenines
Italian famous wines from sedimentary soils
Langhe (Barolo and Barbaresco)
Valpolicella
Collio
Colli Orientali del Friuli
Conegliano Valdobbiadene
Chianti
Montalcino
Which is a moraine soil
Deposit of sediment transported by a glacier
Where did the last glaciation occur?
The peak was in 18.000 years ago in the Alps from the alps to the Padana plain
Where are the moraine soils found?
Northern Piemonte
Franciacorta
Valtelina
Lake Garda
Examples of Metamorphic soils
Serdegna
Calabria
NW Sicilia
Some areas on the Alps
Which are the volcanos aroun vineyards are planted on volcanic soils?
Etna in sicilia and Vesubio in Campania
Where are basalrtic soils found?
Soave
Which was the center of volcanic activity in the Paleozoic (300 250 Ma)
Alto Adige
Where did the orogenesis of the Alps provoked volcanic activities?
Veneto Prealps (Lessini, Colli Euganei, Colli Berici)
Where did the orogenesis of the Apenines provoked volcanic activities?
Toscana
Lazio
Basilicata
Campania
How many hectares are cultivated in Italy?
695.000 has
Was the mezzadria system focuses on quantity or quality?
Quantity
Where was the mezzadria system common?
In Northern Italy
When was the mezzadria system abolished?
in the 60s
List italian vine trained systems
High trained
. Alberata
. Pergola
. Tendone
. Geneva Double Curtain
. Casarsa
. Sylvoz
Low trained
. Cordone Speronato
. Guyot
. Capuccina
. Alberello
Alberata train system
Introduced by Estruscans
Ancestor of the pergola and tendone systems
Is the Alberata train system used with low or high density?
Low density (about 2500 to 3000 vines /ha)
Which are the types of pergola training?
. Horizontal
. Inclinede (also known as Pergola Trentina widely used in Trentino, Alto Adige, Veneto and Romagna
What’s the name of the alternative overhead training system where the canopy grows horizontally as a tent with grape clusters hanging underneath the canopy?
Tendone
Where is common the use of the tendone training system?
Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia and sSicilia
The tendone training system is used for table wines or quality ones?
Explain
Tendone training system is used for table wines due to its productivity.
I t was readapted to the Pergola Abruzzese
Give other examples of high vine training (besides alberatta, pergola, and tendone
. GDC (Geneva Double Courtain) common in Emilia-Romagna and Veneto
. Sylvoz - common in Emilia-Romagna and Veneto
. Casarsa - common in western and central Friuli
List the low-trained vine systems
Cordone Speronato
Guyot
Capuccina
Alberello
Which is the most common training system in Italy?
Vertical Shoot Positioning (or variants)
Which systems fall into the VSP category of low trained vine systems?
Cordone Speronato
Guyot
Describe the Cordone speronato train system
It is characterized by a permanent cordon (or two) of old wood trained horizontally.
. Suitable for medium to poor soils
. Allows mechanical pruning
Describe the Guyottraining system.
Namer its variants
One or two canes trained horizontally.
Suitable for poor hillside soild.
Variants:
a. Cappuccina (or Capovolto) (tyipical in Veneto)
b. Archetto (typical in Toscana)
Describe the Alberello train system
Known as bush-training is common in Sicilia, Puglia and Sardegna.
Brought to Italy by Ancient Greeks to protect wines from the sun.
On the opossite it can be found aldo in Valle D’Aosta (cooler) to receive the heat from the ground
What is the Zonazione?
It’s the systematic study that began in the 1980’ collecting and recording data on soil, climate, topography, altutude, humidity, rainfallm sunlight hours in order to understand **how these parameters affect the vine’s growth cycle
T or F
Italy is not the country with more abundant native grape varieties
False
It is.
What is the reason Italy is the country with more abundant native grape varieties
Because of its geographical, political and topographic isolation
F or T
The majoritiy red grapes of italy tendo to be late ripening
True.
Since thgey need wanrm conditions in summer and early autum
ow mammy indigenous grapes are in taly (early XXI)
between 1000 and 2000
Bt genetics they reach the 350 to 600
350 represents the 1/3 of the total
Which main origins have the international grape varieties?
French and German introduced in early 19th century
Which varieties were included in the first wave?
From France: Pinot, Chardonnay y Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon
From Germany: since Italy was under the Austrian Empire rules
When did it take place the second influx of international grapes?
After the out break of the phyloxera and the urgent need to replant vineyards with american rootstocks (unfortunately many indigenous varieties were lost forver
When did it take place the third onflux of international grapes?
In 1970 (Pinot Grigio)
In 1980 (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc)
In the 1990 Syrah and Viognier
Where is was the epicenter of international varieties as Merlot and Cebernets
Tosaca and its Supertuscan
Which is the most planted variety in Italy and where doest it spread?
Sangiovese (In toscana and Romagna)
Which is the second most planted variety in Italy and where doest it spread?
And the third one?
Montepulciano red (Abruzzo)
3rd. Merlot (specially in the Veneto)
Which is the ranking of white grapes?
1 (3rd from total) Cataratto Bianco
2d (5 from ttoal) Trebbiano Toscano
3rd (7 from total) Chardonnay
When wine making started to chyange in Italy?
Which were the reasons?
In the ‘70’s
a. Investment in technology
b. Experimentation
Is the chaptalization allowed in Italy?
Is forbidden
However the arricchimento or enrichment is allowedthrough the addition of MCR if the DOC or DOCG individual discilpnare allows it Strictly regulated!
Is the acid adjustment allowed in Italy?
Yes, but strictly regulated and based upon the wine regions EU classification
North Regions : EU CI as Valle d’Aosta can De-acidify
EU CII can acidify and de-acidify
EU CIII can only acidify
Basics on Italian red wine production
Stainless steel vs. wood barrels : Inox replaced traditional barrels but after some years they understood the importance of wood in fermentation
Cap management the traditional punching down was replaced by pumping over, submerging the cap or rotofermenters
Vinification before : long fermentation / long maceration. Today: shorter maceration (with exception of high quality wines
Cellar one major change was the time are cellared and matured before release. Before large Slovakian oak or chestnut. Today French oak barrels and tonnaux in order to tame tannins to a more international style
Basics on Italian white wines
Technology since the 70’s due to new technologies and equipment white wines were reborn
Skin fermentation which was traditional was abandoned and replaced by slow and cool fermentation, stainless steel tanks, cultivated yeasts, filtrationand centrifugation.
*All these brought the wines to be impeccable but suffered of a lack of complexity
Particularly in North Italy natural yeasts regained place linked with the territorio.
Wood for fermentation and aging regained place. Preferementative macerations came back
Basics on Italian Sparkling wines
Most of the increase of quality and quantity is due to the north Italian wine districts
i.e. Asti DOCG and Conegliano Valdobiadene DOCG and Prosecco DOC
Use of large tanks and less time on lees: ideal for aromatic grapes
Who was Federico Martinotti?
A piamontese enologist that on 1895 created the tank method after took by Eugene Charmat
Which are some of the regions that produce sparkling with the traditional Method on wines based on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
Franciacorta DOCG
Trento DOC
What’s the frizzante?
Where it is common?
Wines with 1 - 2.5 atm
Emilia romagna
Oltrepo Pavese in Lombardia
Made in tank or in ancestral method: rifermentazione naturale in bottiglia or metodo ancestrale
What does mean TALENTO?
The term and its symbol was introduced in 1996 in order to distinguish quality Italian Sparklings made with traditional method but it was almost ignored by the producers (i.e. in Franciacorta)
Basics on Italian Sweet wine production
The sweet wines are produced all along Italy sine middle ages.
I.e.
Passitos del Valle d’Aosta and Alto Adice or the Passito di Pantelleria
Reciotos of Veneto
Vin santo in Toscana
Mosto of them are produced by the *appassimento** late harvesting of from grapes affected by the muffa nobile
Basics on Italian Rose wines
The rosatos are a minor category , some highlights:
. Salento in Puglia
. Lake Garda
Proeuced by direct press or bleeding the tank or salasso
