IT: Piemonte Flashcards
What is the assemblagefor Alta Langa DOCG?
Min 90% Pinot Nero and/or Chardonnay
Max 10% “others”
What is the aging requirement for Alta Langa DOCG?
30 months on lees for normale
36 months for Riserva
*must be vintage dated
What is the minimum elevation for Alta Langa DOCG vineyards?
250M
Explain the topography/area of the Alta Langhe DOCG.
Covers 149 villages in the hills of Asti, Alessandria, and Cuneo on the right bank of the Tanaro River. Min. elevation for vineyards is 250M.
Explain the difference between acquired alcohol and potential alcohol.
2 alcohol requirements are typically listed when the wine in question has residual sugar.
Potential alcohol will always be higher than acquired as you are leaving RS in solution for an off-dry style of wine.
If you are looking for a specific minimum abv that will be in bottle, you’ll consider the acuquired alcohol.
What are the 3 subzones of Asti DOCG? Which gained its own DOCG in 2023?
Strevi
Canelli**DOCG!
Santa Vittoria d’Alba
What are the minimum ABV’s for all styles of Asti DOCG?
Asti and Asti Metodo Classico: min. 6% acquired; 11 and 11.5% potential respectively
Moscato d’Asti: 11% potential; 4.5 to 6.5% acquired
Vendimmia Tardiva: 14% potential, 11% acquired
What is the assemblage for Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
97% Moscato Bianco with “other aromatics”
What is the maximum pressure for Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
2.5 bars
(also logical cause if it ferments to higher pressure, it gets drier)
Which of Asti DOCG’s subzones was awarded its own DOCG?
Canelli DOCG
What is the ABV range for Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
4.5 to 6.5%
Piedmont climate?
Strongly continental with cold winters, hot summers, and chances of hail
In what 2 vintages since 2015 was the Langhe heavily impacted by frost?
2015
2021
What is the common training method used in the Piemonte? Why?
Guyot
- excellent sunlight interception/cool climate friendly
- low humidity to reduce fungal disease
- easy access between rows
VSP/”renewal” training system
What is the biggest fungal/disease pressure in the Piemonte?
Flavescenza dorata
(spread by leafhoppers; the disease where the leaves curl and turn yellow)
What is the most planted variety in the Piedmont?
Barbera
The areas of Canelli and Santo Stefano Belbo are strongly associated with what grape?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains aka Moscato
What is the difference between a phenotype and a biotype?
Phenotype: versions of a variety that show visible differences from each other
Biotype: the product of small-scale mutations that occur in a vine due to the influence of the environment in which it grows
What are the 2 main phenotypes of Nebbiolo?
Lampia
Michet
(Rosé was found to be a distinct variety)
Name 3 Piemontese DOC/G that have defined MGA’s.
Barolo
Barbaresco
Roero
Dogliani
Diano d’Alba
Gavi
What is an MGA?
- DOCG with MGA (4)
MENZIONE GEOGRAFICA AGGIUNTIVA: a defined area that communicates where the grapes are grown. Municipality, subzone or vineyard. No quality guarantee or status.
DOCG:
Barolo
Roero
Barbaresco
Gavi
“The Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive (aka MGA - Additional Geographical Mentions), in the case of Barolo, are 181 and follow the French concept of Crus, indicating production areas or, more properly, the French definition of Climat, that is, specific portions of vineyards with well-marked boundaries and which is historically known for its high wine-growing vocation.”
What 2 rivers define the Langhe’s boundaries?
River Tanaro to the SW, W, and N
River Bormida di Spigno to the east
Producers in Barolo/Barbaresco declassifying their grapes would use what Nebbiolo-focused DOC?
Langhe DOC Nebbiolo
(Nebbiolo d’Alba’s boundaries do not overlap)
Sant’Agata Fossili Marls: describe this soil type. Name some communes that they dominate in?
Limestone, clay and blue-grey marls from the Tortonian Age.
Found in: Barolo, La Morra
Verduno, Novello, Grinzane Cavour, Castiglione Falletto
Where is MGA Monvigliero? Who is the most important producer?
Verduno, G.B. Burlotto
* 220-310M; full southern exposure, close to the Tanaro
* Vietti, Luigi Einaudi, Oddero
Nascetta was discovered in what commune? What is this variety like?
Novello is its historic home
Difficult to grow - it was almost lost for a good reason. Semi-aromatic. Lightly herbal with floral, citrus and stone fruit notes.
**Elvio Cogno is the savior
Barolo vineyard plantings are limited to what range of elevation?
170M - 540M
(Barbaresco = 0 to 550M)
What is the elevation range allowed for Barbaresco DOCG vineyards?
0 - 550M
What is Barolo’s minimum ABV?
13% (12.5% potential at harvest)
*for all levels, includes Normale, Riserva, and “menzioni geografiche aggiuntive”
What is the aging requirement for Barolo DOCG?
38months + 18m in wood from Nov 1 of year of harvest
(RSVA= 62/18)
What is the aging requirement for Barolo DOCG Riserva?
62m, 18 in wood, from November 1 of the year of harvest
Compare to:
- Brunello: 2yrs oak/6m bottle; cannot be sold until Jan 1 of 6th year
- Barbaresco: 50m w 9m in wood
La Morra and Barolo’s vineyards sit primarily on bedrock from what geological period?
Tortonian
*tends to contain more calcareous marl
Serralunga d’Alba and Monforte d’Alba lie principally on bedrock from what geological period?
Serravallien
*tend to be less fertile and contain more sandstone
What are the basic differences between Serravallien bedrock and Tortonian bedrock?
Tortonian has higher proportions of calcareous marl
Serravallien are less fertile and tends to have more sandstone
Arborina
La Morra
Its reputation are based on the wines of Elio Altare
- Bovio
- Mauro Veglio
Rocche dell’Annunziata
La Morra
*Renato Ratti
*Roberto Voerzio
*Trediberri
*Paolo Scavino
*Bartolo Mascarello
Cerequio
- location
- what sets it apart
- who bottles it
Barolo (6ha) / La Morra (18ha)
* magnesium is 5x higher than any other cru
* perfect exposure + altitude - this microclimate is so warm that it can sustain a small grove of olive trees (allegedly the only ones in Barolo)
- Vietti, Michele Chiarlo, Roberto Voerzio, Boroli, Damilano
Brunate
- location
- 3 producers
La Morra (19) / Barolo (9)
* Vietti
* Robert Voerzio
* Oddero
* Francesco Rinaldi
* Damilano
* M. Marengo
Middle of a trio of S-facing vineyards.. Cerequio to the south, Rocche Annunziata to the north. Great historical importance, many of the greatest growers in the region have vineyard here.
Center section: 250 to 400m. Cerretto and Marcarini. Historic heart.
Lower section: further east, one foot in Barolo. Traditional producers prevail here, including both Rinaldi’s. This part can be too warm at times.
Upper section: cooler, windier. More modern wineries have holdings here - Vietti, Voerzio, Marco Marengo. Oddero represents the traditionalists.
Cannubi
- commune
- sub-Cannubi’s (5)
- soils
Barolo
- S/SE exposure
SOILS: Tortonian - sand, silt clay. Agatha marls meet Diano sandstone. Cannubi Centrale has particularly high sand content and lower clay than the extended hillside
Oldest known label in 1752 - Michele Chiarlo
- Ceretto
- E Pira
- Bartolo Mascarello
- Marchesi di Barolo
SUB-CANNUBIs:
1. Cannubi Moscatel
2. Cannubi San Lorenzo
3. Cannubi Valletta
4. Cannubi Boschis
5. just… Cannubi
(all can label just Cannubi)
“sub-Cannubi’s”
Cannubi Centrale
Cannubi Muscatel
Cannubi Valletta
Cannubi Boschis
Cannubi San Lorenzo
Monprivato
- producer
- village
- 1st vintage
Giuseppe Mascarello
NOT a monopole - they own 93% and are the only producer to use the label
Castiglione Falletto
7ha of prime SW-facing blue-grey clay soils with high active limestone content sitting at 280M. Named as early as 1666.
*1st vintage 1970. Made only in best vintages and from Michet clones
(Current release 2019, $349 retail)
Cà d’Morissio
Giuseppe Mascarello
Subsection of Monprivato in Castiglione Falletto, planted to Nebbiolo Michet. Released as Riserva, 1st vintage in 1993 and only released in outstanding vintages.
*1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and ???
Villero
Castiglione Falletto
* Vietti
* Giuseppe Mascarello
* Brovia
* Cordero di Montemezolo
* G. Fenocchio
* Poderi Oderro
Vignarionda
Serralunga d’Alba
*Luigi Pira
*Oddero
*Guido Porro
*Massolino
Falletto is a monopole of ______? Where is it located, what’s special about it?
Bruno Giacosa
Serralunga d’Alba
*exceeds 400M, noted for its high elevation
*source of Giacosa’s Le Rocche del Falletto - a section of oldest vines in the vineyard. White label normale, red label riserva
What are Barbaresco’s communes of production?
- Barbaresco
- Neive
- Treiso (a frazione of Barbaresco)
- San Rocco Seno d’Elvio (part of Alba)
What is the aging requirement for Barbaresco DOCG?
26 months with 9 months in wood from Nov. 1 of harvest
** May be released on January 1 of 3rd year post harvest
(RSVA = 50m, 9 in wood. 5th yr)
What is the aging requirement for Barbaresco Riserva DOCG?
4yrs + 2 months from Nov. 1 of harvest with at least 9 months in wood
**May be released on January 1 of 5th year post harvest
What is Barbaresco’s largest cru?
Ovello (78ha)
What are Martinenga’s 2 most important subsections?
Camp Gros: Marchesi do Gresy’s top wine, made only in best vintages since 1978. Eastern portion of Martinenga with the most perfect exposure
Gauin: western side of amphitheater
What are the only 2 Piemonte DOCG to allow production of both a red and a white wine?
Roero DOCG
Terre Alfieri DOCG
What are Barbera d’Asti DOCG’s 2 subzones?
Colli Astiano
Tinella
Which of the Piedmont’s DOC/G for Barbera require 100%?
Nizza DOCG only
What are the 3 Barbera-focused DOCG in the Piedmont?
- Nizza DOCG
*100% Barbera. 18 (6in barrel) for normale; 30/12 for RSVA - Barbera del Monferratto Superiore DOCG
*min. 85% Barbera; 14 months with 6 in barrel - Barbera d’Asti DOCG
*min 90% Barbera, ages 4 months for Normale, 14 for Superiore, and 24 for Superiore + Subzone
Roero DOCG red wines require at least how much Nebbiolo? Arneis?
95% for both
Which Barbera-focused DOC/G overlaps with Barolo and Barbaresco?
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Which of the Piemonte’s DOCG are dedicated to Dolcetto?
Dogliani DOCG
Diano d’Alba DOCG
Ovada DOCG
**all require 100% Dolcetto
**Dogliani and Diano d’Alba both have MGA
Timorasso is found primarily in what DOC?
Colli Tortonesi DOC
What is the assemblage for Gattinara DOCG?
Min. 90% Nebbiolo
Max. 10% Uva Rara + max. 4% Vespolina
What DOCG sits directly across the Sesia River from Ghemme?
Gattinara
Gattinara DOCG soil type?
Volcanic with iron and granite
Aging requirement for Gattinara DOCG - normale and Riserva?
Min. 35 months with 24 in barrel for normale
Min. 47 with 36 in barrel for Riserva
Ghemme DOCG soil type?
Granitic sand subsoil**
Alluvial-morainic
Volcanic stone
Clay
*highly acidic
Assemblage for Ghemme DOCG?
Min. 85% Nebbiolo with max. 15% Uva Rare and/or Vespolina
What body of water is an important feature in Caluso? Why?
Lake Viverone
*the lake’s humidity is key to the appassimento process. Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG is one of Italy’s few passito wines to show botrytis character
What is the main white grape of the Canavese DOC, Costa del Sesia DOC and Colline Novaresi DOC?
Erbaluce
The Orco River affects what DOCG?
Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG
The Belbo River affects what DOCG?
Alta Langa DOCG
The Orba River affects what DOCG?
Dolcetto di Ovada DOCG?
Name 2 DOCG influenced by the Sesia River.
Gattinara DOCG
Ghemme DOCG
3 DOC on the east bank of the Sesia River?
Fara DOC
Sizzano DOC
Boca DOC
2 DOC on the west bank of the Sesia River?
Bramaterra DOC
Lessona DOC
Vermentino is known as _______ in the Piemonte?
Favorita
What does “bricco” mean in Piemontese dialect?
Top of the hillside or ridge
Where the snow melts first
The best translation for the term bricco or bric is crag (“a steep or precipitous rugged rock,” equivalent to the Italian dirupo
Dirupo
same as Bricco - translates to cliff, crag, precipice. Top of the hill
Rocche
cliffs
What does “Sori” mean in Piemontese dialect?
South-facing hillside
What does “poggio” mean in Piemontese dialect?
Small hill
Bricco dell’Uccone, Ai Sum, and Quorum are made in what DOCG?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Best Barolo vintages in the 1980’s?
1982
1985 [considered a turning point - the 1st modern “warm” vintage with higher ABVs. Wines were open from the start and stayed accessible]
1989
Talk about Barolo’s vintages in the 1990’s.
1993 were passable, 1995 were good - otherwise the first half of the decade were tough.
1996 to 2000 were decent - but only 1996 was truly great.
Best Barolo vintages between 2000 and 2010?
Lots to pick from!
2001
2004
2005
2006
2008
2010
Worst Barolo vintages between 2000 and 2010?
2002 was a washout due to rain
2003 was too hot/ripe
2007 and 2009 were good not great not bad
Best Barolo vintages for 2010 to 2020?
2010, 2013, 2016, 2019
What was the common characteristic for the worst Barolo vintages in the 2010’s?
Too warm!
2011, 2015, 2017, and most notably… 2018, were simply too warm
How many Barolo MGA can you list on a bottle? How many MGA can you blend?
Only 1
The listed MGA must be at least 85%; max 15% MGA #2
For Barolo, Barbaresco - Vigna requirements?
100% of grapes must be from stated Vigna
Vigna is registered with the consorzio. Must include an MGA + Vigna on label
Giacomo Conterno
- home village
- top bottling
Monforte d’Alba
*est 1908. Monfortino (1920), much acclaim. Purchased fruit until purchase of Francia in 1974.
*Francia, Arione, Cerretta (all Serralunga d’Alba)
*bought Nervi in Gattinara DOCG
Monfortino
- producer
- sourcing
Giacomo Conterno
1st vintage 1920
*Purchased fruit until 1974.
*100% Francia from 1978 to 2014
* Blend of Arione, Francia, Cerretta
Francia
- location
- owner
Giacomo Conterno (MONOPOLE), 1974
* Serralunga d’Alba
* 16ha, SW facing, 400M
* was Monfortino from 1974 until 2014 - now Monfortino is blend of Francia, Cerretto, Arione
Arione
Giacomo Conterno
Serralunga d’Alba
Cerretta
Serralunga d’Alba
40ha
Elio Altare
Giacomo Conterno
Azelia
Luigi Baudana
Produttori del Barbaresco’s crus - name 5 (10 total)
Asili
Rabajà
Pajé, Pora
Moccagatta
Montestefano
Montefico
Ovello
Rio Sordo
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo (the commune)
* 5ha spread through Cannubia, Lorenzo, Rue, Rocche
*BLENDS ONLY! One of the last staunch traditionalists
cappello sommerso in context of Barolo?
an old traditionalist technique the cap of seeds and skins is held within the fermenting wine instead of punched down
Bruno Giacosa
- top wines/sites
- labelling conventions
NEIVE/BARBARESCO
Barbaresco:
- Santo Stefano di Neive #1.. 1964 - 2011 (Castello di Neive monopole)
* Asili, Rabaja
Barolo:
- Falletto di Serralunga d’Alba, made into Falletto (white) and Rocche del Falletto (red, white labels)
Red labels = RSVA
Died 2018. Daughter Bruna took over.
* “Casa Vinicola Bruno Giacosa” label = purchased grapes
Giuseppe Mascarello
Castiglione Falletto
*Monprivato is their primary holding - near monopole ownership
*also bottle Villero, Santo Stefano
Ca d’Morrissio is the special Monprivato Riserva
Gaja
- vineyard sites
- langhe rosso years
Barbaresco
* introduced: green harvest, barriques, malo, temp control, grand cru prices
* Barbaresco sites: Sori Tilden, Costa Russi, Sori San Lorenzo (2 in Albesani)
* Barolo: Sperss
* Pieve Santa Restituta: Rennina, Sugarille
Langhe Rosso from 96 to 13 (for inclusion of Barbera)
Gaja bottlings in the Piemonte
Barolo Sperss
Barbaresco Costa Russi
Barbaresco Sori Tildin
Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo
Vietti
Castiglione Falletto
*Villero, Brunate, Lazzarito, Rocche, Castiglione
*Alfredo Currado is the “father of Arneis”
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Barolo (commune)
* Brunate, Bussia
(used to be known for only blending?)
Barolo producers who don’t do single vineyards?
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Oddero
La Morra
Barolo Vignarionda
Barolo Brunate
Barolo Villero
Barolo Bussia Vigna Mondoca
Barolo Rocche di Castiglione
Barbaresco Gallina
Elio Altare
La Morra
Barolo Arborina
Barolo Brunate
Barolo Cerretta Vigna Bricco
Roagna
Barbaresco (commune)
Barbaresco: Rionda, Pajé, Montefico
Barolo purchased in 89 - Rionda, Pira in Castiglione Falletto
*Very traditional
Aldo Conterno
- cru
- top wine
Monforte d’Alba
*Granbussia is top - blend of Cicala, Romirasco, Colonello
*Bussia only! nothing else
Vigna Cicala, Vigna Romirasco, and Vigna Colonello
Granbussia
Aldo Conterno bottling
* a blend from his 3 Bussia subsections: Vigna Cicala, Vigna Romirasco, and Vigna Colonello
*made only in best vintages
G.B. Burlotto
- commune
- top vineyard
Verduno
*1st producer to sell Barolo in bottle rather than cask or demijohn
*Monvigliero, Acclivi, Nierane
Paolo Scavino
Castiglione Falletto
*Bric dël Fiasc was one of the 1st Barolo single vineyards, 1978
*19 crus in 6 villages
*modern! new French barrique usage
Fratelli Brovia
Castiglione Falletto
*very traditional
*great plots in Castiglione & Serralunga
*Villero among others
Fratelli
brothers
Cappellano
Serralunga d’Alba
*~4ha, 800 cases - so small
*mostly in Gabbutti cru
*Very traditional
*known for Chinato
Luciano Sandrone
Barolo (commune)
*Aleste = Cannubi Boschis
Giacomo Borgogno
Barolo (commune) - est 1761
*holdings in Cannubi, Liste, San Pietro, and Fossati & others
*very traditional
La Spinetta
Asti & Grinzane Cavour
*made Moscato’s 1st single vineyard bottling - Moscato Bricco Quaglia
*Gallina was their 1st Barbaresco, Campi and Garetti are top Barolo
*Modern - new French
Bricco Quaglia
Moscato’s 1st single vineyard bottling, made by La Spinetta 1977
E. Pira
Barolo (commune)
*Owned by Boschis fam since 81, post-Luigi’s death
*Modern - uses new oak, short ferments, soft and approachable
Renato Ratti
La Morra
*Marcenasco, Conche, Rocca
*somewhat modern
Elvio Cogno
Novello
*very traditional
*Makes a pre-phylloxera Barbera
*Pernice, Ravera
Marcarini
La Morra
*1958 Brunate
*Boschi di Berri are 150+ yr old pre-phylloxera Dolcetto
1st single vineyard Barolo bottling?
1958 Marcarini Brunate
Ascheri
La Morra
Fossati
Barolo, La Morra
*primarily east-facing
Sarmassa
Barolo
Marchesi di Barolo, Cabutto Tenuta La Volta, G. Scarzello Vigna Merenda
Ravera
Barolo (5ha) + Novello (25ha)
- Abbona Barolo Terlo Ravera
- Elvio Cogno: Barolo Vigna Elena & Barolo Bricco Pernice
Bricco delle Viole
Barolo
- Vajra
- Marengo
Bussia
- villages
- producers
Monforte d’Alba (292ha) + Barolo (7ha)
- Prunotto (1st to label Bussia under Beppe Colla’s leadership for 1961 vintage)
- Parusso
- Aldo Conterno **
- Fantino
- Oddero
- Fenocchio **
Perno
Monforte d’Alba
- Giuseppe Mascarello, Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna Cappella, Sordo
*Perno surrounds a Monforte d’Alba frazione of the same name, and contains the vineyards “Santo Stefano di Perno” and “Ceretta.”
Ginestra
Monforte d’Alba
*Elio Grasso, Domenico Clerico
Ginestra has a famous (if recent) reputation, gained through the success of Elio Grasso’s Gavarini Vigna Chiniera and Casa Maté, as well as Domenico Clerico’s Ciabot Mentin and Pajana.
Bricco Boschis
Castiglione Falletto
*Cavallotto fam are main owners and responsible for the prestige
Scarrone
Castiglione Falletto
Oddero Barolo Rocche dei Rivera
Rocche di Castiglione
Castiglione Falletto (14) + Monforte d’Alba (2ha)
* Brovia, Vietti, Terre del Barolo
Le Rocche is a geological formation with a thin strip of vines; excellent reputation; coveted vineyards
Fontanafredda
an MGA as well as a producer
* Serralunga d’Alba
*La Rosa, Gattinera vineyards are within
*Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna la Rosa
Lazzarito
Serralunga d’Alba
Fontanafredda Vigna La Delizia, Vietti, Ettore Germano
Marenca
Luigi Pira, Gaja
Serralunga d’Alba
Serra meaning- in context with Barolo?
greenhouse in Italian. It is possible the name comes from the fact that temps are milder here and diurnal shifts are slightly less drastic
Neirane
Verduno
Largest cru in Barbaresco?
Ovello
Largest MGA in Barolo?
Bricco San Pietro (380ha)
(Bussia #2 @ 290ha)
Bussia sub-Cru’s in historic heart
- Bussia Soprana (home to A Conterno’s Romarisco, Cicala, Colonello)
- Bussia Sottanna
- Arnulfo
- Dardi (and Mondoca)
- Fontanille (Munie)
- Pian Della Polvere
- Pugnane
What is the US legal limit for VA?
1.2 gl
Ghemme/Gattinara blending partners?
Uva Rara
Vespolina
Who were the “Barolo Boys”
Elio Altare
Giorgio Rivetti
Robert Voerzio
Bruno Ceretto
Chiara Boschis
.. to name a few
