Italian Wine

Question 1

What did Goria’s Law establish? When was it passed?

Answer 1

Current Italian wine quality tiers:
VdT
IGT
DOC
DOCG

Est. 1992

Question 2

Vino da Tavola (VdT)

Answer 2

Vino da Tavola

Permits varietal and vintage labelling as of 2008

Question 3

Indicazione di Geografica Tipica (IGT)

Answer 3

Established with Law No. 164 (revision of the Vienna Act of 1992)
Equivalent to EU's PGI status
Does not permit
May be varietally labeled
Encompasses wines from an entire region

Question 4

Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)

Answer 4

Est in 1963.

Regulates:
Zones in which the wines originate
Type (or types, since a denomination may include a range of versions)
Color
Grape varieties
Minimum alcohol levels
Maximum yields in grapes per vine per hectare and wine from grapes
Basic sensory characteristics
Maturation (in wood or otherwise and possibly in sealed tanks)
Required minimum periods of aging and special designations identifying particular sub-zones, such as classico or superiore

Question 5

Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)

Answer 5

Est. 1980
First DOCGs: Brunello di Montalicino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Barolo, Barbaresco

More restrictive than DOC:
Lower yields
Longer aging

Question 6

Recioto

Answer 6

Dried grape wines. Especially from NE Italy (Veneto).
Often see botrytis.

Key denominazione:
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Recioto di Soave DOCG

Minor denomiazione:
Recioto di Gambellara DOCG

Question 7

Ripasso/ Amarone

Answer 7

Translates to “repassed”.
Adding dried grapes must to young wine.

Valpolicella Ripasso DOC

Question 8

Vin Santo

Question 9

Superiore

Question 10

Riserva

Question 11

Prosecco