Grapes and wines of Northern Italy Flashcards
What is the overall climate of Northern Italy, with associated features
Moderate climate with short, dry summers
Alps shelter vineyards from rain
River Po and Lake Garda (glacial lake) provide moderating influence to inland areas
Areas closer to the sea have higher rainfall, so fungal diseases can be a problem
Describe vineyard management of Northern Italy
Pergola training with high yielding vines at low densities: vine canopy trained high with fruit hanging down below a horizontal canopy of leaves
Protects grapes from sunburn
Allows air circulation, minimising risk of rot
Still used where high acidity and low sugar levels are required (sparkling wine), and when wines are made form dried grapes which need to be free from damage and disease
Now VSP with higher density is more commonly used
Describe the climate and associated features of Alto Adige
Moderate climate
short, dry summers and low rainfall during growing season
Large diurnal range experienced by vineyards due to altitude, ideal for aromatic whites and elegant and light-bodied reds
Describe the vineyard layout of Alto Adige
Planted on terraces on south-east and south-west facing valley sides of River Adige (high altitude)
Describe a typical Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige
Dry style
light to medium body
High acidity, citrus and green fruit flavours
List the important international grape varieties of Alto Adige
Gewurtzraminer
Chardonnay
Pinot Blanc
What local Alto Adige variety dominates red wine production? Describe a typical wine
Schiava
Light fruity wine with low to medium tannins and flavours of raspberries and plums
Describe the climate and associated features of Trentino
Dry summers, low rainfall during growing season (like Alto Adige) but experiences a slightly warmer climate (southerly latitude, more vineyards at lower altitudes, mountains to the west shelter from cooling of Lake Garda)
Describe the vineyard landscape of Trentino
As Trentino has a wider valley, more vineyards are found at lower altitudes i.e. on valley floor and slopes on both sides of valley, meaning they experience a warmer environment than Alto Adige further north.
What are the main white varieties of Trentino?
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Describe a typical Trentino white
As grapes come from valley floor, they produce medium-bodied wine with medium acidity and ripe stone fruit flavours
If grown at higher altitude, they resemble Alto Adige styles
What are the main red varieties of Trentino?
Merlot
Teroldego
Both grown on mid-slopes and valley floor
Describe a typical Teroldego wine from Trentino
Deep colour, medium to high tannin, high acidity, medium to full body, aromas of black fruit
Normally matured in oak, with best examples improving with age
What is the typical label for an Alto Adige wine?
Alto Adige DOC
What is the typical label for a Trentino wine?
Trentino DOC
Describe the climate and associated features of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Moderate continental, cooled by cold air from the Alps
Southern part is near the Adriatic sea on a flat plain, experiences a warm maritime climate
List the most important grape varieties of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Pinot Grigio
Merlot
Friulano
Describe a good Pinot Grigio from Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Very rich
Medium to full-bodied
Juicy peach and tropical fruit flavours
Describe Merlot from Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Medium-bodied Medium acidity Medium tannins Ripe red fruit Hint of spice from oak
Describe Friulano from Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Medium to high acidity
Medium body
Aromas of pear, red apples, herbs
What labelling is used for wines made in the flat plain? Briefly describe their style
Friuli Grave DOC
White wines, made in simply fruity style
What labelling is used for wines made in the hills? Briefly describe their style
Collio DOC
Colli Orientali DOC
Premium and more concentrated white wines, Colli Orientali DOC is also known for reds
What is the PDO label for Italian wines?
Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP)
What is DOC?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Wines subject to geographical boundaries and limitations on grape varieties and production methods
What is DOCG?
Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
- Meet all DOC requirements
- AND must be bottled in area of production
- AND subject to a Ministry of Agriculture tasting
What is the PGI label for Italian wines?
Indicazione Geografica Protetta (IGP)
Traditionally: Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT)
What does Classico mean?
The term acknowledges that wines have been made solely from the original classified land (as over time the regions have expanded in size from this land), usually includes the best wines from the area.
What does Riserva mean?
Acknowledges wines with higher alcohol AND longer ageing than minima stipulated by appellation laws
Describe the overall climate and associated features of Veneto
Warm, moderate rainfall
Cooling influences from altitude (Alps in north), i.e. large diurnal temperature range in foothills
Breezes from Lake Garda cool western region
Flat plains affected by moist air and fog from River Po - more spraying needed to combat disease and rot
What are the most important varieties of Veneto?
Pinot Grigio Chardonnay Merlot Corvina Garganega Trebbiano Glera
Describe the style of Veneto IGT
From flat fertile plain i.e. inexpensive and high volume wine
Simple and fruity
What is the key region for Prosecco DOC in Veneto?
Conegliano-Valdobbiadene DOCG
Describe the vineyard layout and soil composition of Soave, and how it affects grape quality
Foothills in the north: limestone and clay with some volcanic rocks - naturally cool + cooling influence of altitudes = slower ripening and grapes with full flavour ripeness yet high acidity, capable of maturation
Flat plain in the south: sandy alluvial soils - aid ripening = grapes are fruitier with medium acidity, meant for younger drinking
Describe the best known Soave wines
Made from Garganega, possibly with small amounts of other white grape varieties in a blend
Medium to high acidity levels, medium body, aromas of pears, red apple stone fruit, sometimes white pepper, rarely new oak flavours/aromas
Best examples can age, developing aromas of almonds and honey
Recioto di Soave DOCG = sweet white wine via passito method
List the key Soave appellations and their vineyard locations
Soave DOC: entire region
Soave Classico DOC: Only from foothills
Describe the vineyard layout and soil composition of Valpolicella, and how it affects grape quality
Similar layout to Soave:
Foothills in the north: limestone, clay, volcanic soil - cooling influence slows down ripening = grapes with higher acidity
Flat plain in the south: gravel and sand - warming influence = fruitier and less acidic grapes
What is the main variety of Valpolicella? Describe its characteristics
Corvina
Thin skinned, moderate colour, low to medium tannins, high acidity
List the key appellations of Valpolicella and corresponding wine styles
Corvina is main grape, but can be blended with other local varieties to increase colour and tannins
Valpolicella DOC
Valpolicella Classico DOC
Simple and fruity, light tannins, red cherry flavours, rarely oaked, drink immediately
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG - dry or off-dry, full-bodied, high aclohol, medium to high tannins and intensely concentrated red berry and spice flavours. Aged in large oak casks.
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG - sweet, intense red fruit flavours, high alcohol, full body, medium to high tannins
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC - medium to full-bodied, medium to high tannins, flavours of stewed red cherries and plums
Describe the passito method
Widely used in Veneto, increases structure and flavour concentration (and colour for red wines)
Grapes are picked early when they are still high in acidity
Dried indoors, concentrating sugars and flavours
Fermentation not started until winter
In some cases e.g. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, the grapes are so sweet that fermentation stops naturally
Describe the ripasso method
Uses grapes from a fermenting Amarone della Valpolicella: to make Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
- Shortly after fermentation, Amarone is drained off the skins which are NOT pressed
- Skins are added to a vat of Valpolicella that has finished fermentation
- Yeast are also transferred through the skin transfer, and ferment remaining sugar on Amarone grape skins
- Grape skins give more colour, flavour, and tannins to the Valpolicella wine they have been added to
Describe the climate and associated features of Piemonte
Mountains to the north provide rain shadow and protect from northern winds
Moderate and continental
Long, cold winters and summers subject to thunderstorms, hail, fog
Some moderating influence from Po river and Lake Maggiore
Describe the overall vineyard terrain of Northern Italy
Foothills ranging from 150-600m - range of aspects and altitudes = wide variety of wine
List the key black grapes of Piemonte
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
List the key white grapes of Piemonte
Cortese
Moscato (Muscat)
Is there an IGT for Piemonte?
No, all wines have either DOC or DOCG status
Describe the vineyard layout of Barolo
A horse-shoe shaped valley across several villages with steep (300-500m) south-facing slopes
Describe Barolo DOCG, give examples
100% Nebbiolo
High acidity and tannins, little colour
Slow ripening at high altitude, develop perfumed aromas of sour cherries, herbs, sometimes dried flowers
Better years produce wines with a full body, high acidity and tannins with the potential to develop in bottle.
Barolo DOCG must be aged for three years before release, of which 18 months must be in oak. Traditionally was aged for several years in oak but now better vineyard management techniques and winemaking practices with gentler extraction means wines have smoother and riper tannins and can mature for shorter periods. Can mature in small (some new) oak barrels or larger casks depending on style desired. All Barolo benefit from further bottle ageing which soften tannins further and give wine aromas of truffles tar, leather
Typically made from grapes sourced from different villages e.g. Barolo Serralunga d’Alba DOCG
Best wines come from cru villages e.g. Barolo Cannubi DOCG
What label do Dolcetto and Barbera use?
Alba DOC
Describe the vineyard layout of Barbaresco and the effect on grape quality
South-facing slopes at lower altitudes than Barolo (200-400m)
Lower altitude and influence from local river = Nebbiolo ripens earlier than Barolo = fruitier and less perfumed with similar tannin and acidity levels which means wines can still age in bottle
Describe Barbaresco DOCG with associated appellation rules
Must be aged two years before release with 9 months in oak
Usually fewer mentions of village on label as it is a smaller area than Barolo, but higher quality wines are from single cru vineyards
Fruitier and less perfumed than Barolo, similar high tannin and acidity, can age in bottle
What are the key varieties of Asti and Alba and their associated DOC/DOCGs?
Barbera (Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Barbera d’Alba DOC)
Dolcetto (Dolcetto d’Alba DOC)
Nebbiolo
Moscato (Asti DOCG)
Describe the vineyard layout of Gavi and effect on grape quality
Vines grown in hills where altitude and sea breezes result in long, slow ripening of Cortese
Describe the key wines of Gavi
Made from Cortese:
Gavi DOCG
Cortese di Gavi DOCG
If the grapes come from the town of Gavi: Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Pale and light-bodied, high acidity, aromas and flavours of citrus, green apples, pears.
Protective winemaking is typically used i.e. cool fermentation in stainless steel, but some can use old oak vessels for fermentation and lees stirring to add complexity to the wines. Usually ready to drink on release, but better examples can age in bottle.
How is Asti DOCG sparkling wine made (varieties and winemaking)? Describe typical style.
Uses Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains Asti Method (fermentation of juice in tank with some CO2 initially released, sealed and fermentation interrupted by chilling at around 7%abv & 5-6 atm before filtering off lees and bottling)
Sweet, low alcohol, pronounced fruity aroma of peach and grape overlaid with floral notes, no autolytic character. Drink young, does not benefit from ageing.
How is Prosecco DOC sparkling wine made (varieties and winemaking)? Describe typical style.
Uses Glera
Cartizze and Rive terms indicate wine made from exceptional vineyard site.
Tank method (1st fermentation in temp control ss tank, no MLF or oak ageing. 2nd fermentation in sealed tank and filter to remove yeast then bottle)
Medium acidity, fresh aromas of green apple and melon. Brut, Extra-Dry, Dry styles, but usually slightly higher residual sugar than Champagne and Cava (from interrupting fermentation by chilling, then filtering). Rarely any autolytic character (some producers may choose to stir lees in tank). Consume young and fresh, do not benefit from ageing.
