Italian Wine Law/Northern Italy Flashcards
When was the DOC system established and why?
1963 as a means of formalizing and protecting Italian wine appellations.
When was the DOCG system introduced, when was the first awarded and what was it?
1963 1980 Brunello di Montalcino Barolo Vino Nobile de Montepulciano
What is a main difference between DOCs and AOCs?
Many DOCs have minimum aging requirements while AOCs do not.
What was the biggest problem with the DOC system?
Over time, the system became unwieldy and too lenient; yields and geographical restrictions became too generous. Hundreds of DOC zones were established, leading to consumer confusion. Even the DOCG category, which should only include the recognizable benchmarks of Italian wine, was watered down by such unlikely promotions as Romagna Albana.
What did producers do in the 1970’s and 1980’s to get away from the corrupt DOC system?
Use the Vino da Tavola designation
What is Goria’s Law?
This law established the category of Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT), a more relaxed regulation, offering winemakers wider freedoms. The first IGTs appeared in 1994. IGT wines are often varietally labeled, and IGT wines range from basic quality to some of Italy’s most sought-after bottles. Today, IGT wines are considered PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) by the European Union, whereas DOC and DOCG wines are considered PDO (Protected Designation of Origin), on par with France’s AOC/AOP. IGT status may be used as a springboard to DOC, and regions recognized as DOC for at least five years may apply for DOCG status.
What is Vino da Tavola called now?
Vino
What does Piedmont mean?
Foot of the Mountain
What mountains cradle Piedmont?
Apennines and Alps
What river flows through Piedmont and where does it start?
Po River, Western Alps
Where does most of the growing occur in Piedmont and why?
Foothills of the Po valley. The river creates a fertile valley that won’t support grapes.
What are the 3 provinces in Piedmont that grow most of the grapes
Asti
Alessandria
Cuneo
What hills within these provinces are good for growing grapes?
Monferatto
Langhe
What is Sori?
South facing exposure in Piedmontese dialect
What are the three major red grapes of Piedmont?
Barbera
Dolcetto
Nebbiolo
Of the three major red grapes what is the earliest to ripen?
Dolcetto
6 Lesser Known Red Grapes of Piedmont
Brachetto Grignolino Ruchè Croatina Vespolina Freisa
16 DOCGs of Piedmont
Alta Langa DOCG Asti DOCG Barbaresco DOCG Barbera d'Asti DOCG Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG Barolo DOCG Brachetto d'Acqui (Acqui) DOCG Dogliani DOCG Dolcetto di Diano d' Alba/Diano d' Alba DOCG Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada) DOCG Erbaluce di Caluso/Caluso DOCG Gattinara DOCG Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) DOCG Ghemme DOCG Nizza DOCG Roero DOCG Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
How many DOCs are in Piedmont?
40
What province are Barolo and Barbaresco in?
Cuneo
What river runs through Barolo and Barbaresco?
Tanaro
11 Communes of Barolo
Entirely included in DOCG: Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga d’Alba
Partially included in DOCG: Monforte d’Alba, La Morra, Diano d’Alba, Novello, Verduno, Grinzane Cavour, Cherasco, Roddi
90% of Barolo included in these 5 townships
Barolo Castiglione Falletto Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba La Morra
What is Tortonian Soil?
Tortonian soils contain a higher proportion of calcareous marl
Where in Barolo do you find Tortonian Soil, and how does it effect the wine?
La Morra
Barolo
Softer Style of Wine
What are Serravallian soils?
Sandstone
Where are there Serrafallian soils in Barolo and how does it effect the wine?
Monforte d’Alba
Castiglione Falletto
Serralunga d’Alba
More structured and tannic
What are the aging requirements for Barolo?
Barolo must be aged at least 38 months from November 1 of the harvest year, but only 18 months need be in oak
What is the aging requirements for Barolo Riserva?
62 months total, 18 months in oak
Examples of traditional Barolo producers
Giacomo Conterno
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Examples of modern Barolo producers
Paolo Scavino
Luciano Sandrone
Elio Altare
3 Towns of Barbaresco
Barbaresco
Neive
Treiso
Aging requirements for Barbaresco
2 years, 9 months in oak
Aging requirements for Barbaresco Riserva
4 years, 9 months in oak
When were crus officially allowed to be labeled in Barbaresco? Barolo?
2007, 2010
Where is Roero?
Roero lies on the northwestern bank of the Tanaro River, opposite Barolo and Barbaresco.
Soils of Roero
Sandy
What do the soils of Roero do to the wine?
Provide a lighter style of Nebbiolo than Barolo or Barbaresco.
What percentage of Roero DOCG red must be Nebbiolo?
95%
Where are Gattinara and Ghemme DOCGs?
In the hills north of the Po River.
What river do Gattinara and Ghemme straddle?
Sesia River
What is Nebbiolo known as in Gattinara and Ghemme?
Spanna
What are the two grapes that can be blended with Nebbiolo in Gattinara and in what percentage?
Bonarda di Gattinara and Vespolina. 10% total, no more than 4% Vespolina.
What are the two grapes that can be blended with Nebbiolo in Ghemme?
Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese) and Vespolina. 15% total
Where are Lessona and Sizzano DOC?
Produces similar Nebbiolo blends to Ghemme and Gattinara, 85% Nebbiolo in Lessona with remainder being Uva Rara and Vespolina. 50%-70% Nebbiolo in Sizzano, 30%-50% Uva Rara and Vespolina and Max 10% other aromatic red varietals suitable for growing in the area.
What and where is Carema?
Carema near the border of the Valle d’Aosta produces fragrant Nebbiolo wines, especially in warmer vintages.
When were the two Barbera DOCGs established and what and where are they?
2008
Monferrato hills east of the Langhe
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG
Aging requirements for Barbera Asti
Barbera d’Asti: 4 months from November 1 of the harvest year
Barbera d’Asti Superiore: 14 months from November 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in oak
Barbera d’Asti Superiore Tinella: 24 months from October 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle
Barbera d’Asti Superiore Colli Astiani: 24 months from October 1 of the harvest year, including at least 6 months in wood and 6 months in bottle
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore Blend
minimum 85% Barbera, combined maximum 15% of Freisa, Grignolino, Dolcetto
When was Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG established and where is it?
2010
Monferrato Hills
Nizza DOCG Blend
100% Barbera
When was Nizza DOCG approved
2014
3 100% Dolcetto DOCGs
Dogliani
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore (Ovada)
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba (Diano d’Alba)
Which Dolcetto DOCG has to be Superiore to be DOCG?
Dolcetto di Ovada
Which Dolcetto DOCG is allowed to add menzioni geografiche aggiuntive (Specific Sites) to the label and how many are there?
Diano d’Alba DOCG
77
First still white wine DOCG in Piedmont and when was it established?
Gavi (Cortese di Gavi DOCG)
1998
Gavi Riserva Aging requirements
1 year, 6 months on the Lees
White wine DOCG just south of Carema
Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG
When was Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG elevated from DOC
2010
What are the styles of Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG?
Still
Spumante
Passito
Minimum alcohol for Passito
17% natural total alcohol after drying
Largest producing appellation of DOCG wine in Italy and how much is produced?
Asti/Moscato d’Asti
650,000 hl+/year
Grape Variety of Asti DOCG
Moscato Bianco blended from across southern Piedmont
How is Asti made?
Charmat
What is the difference between Asti and Moscato d’Asti?
Moscato d’Asti is more artisanal, made from riper grapes only slightly sparkling (frizzante) as opposed to fully sparkling (spumante)
Maximum atmospheres for Moscato d’Asti
2 (Raised from 1.7 in 2011)
Alcohol range of Moscato d’Asti
4.5%-6.5%
Where in Piedmont are traditional method wines made?
Alta Langa DOCG
Blend of Alta Langa DOCG
90% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir
10% Non-aromatic varietals suitable for cultivation in Piedmont
Alta Langa Spumante Aging Requirements
30 Months
3 Years Riserva
Valle d’Aosta DOC sub regions
Arnad-Montjovet Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Chambave Donnas Enfer d’Arvier Nus Torrette
Valle d’Aosta Climate
Continental, Long cold winters, short hot summers
Petit Rouge grape is primary grape in what sub regions?
Torrette
Chambave
Enfer d’Arvier
What is Nebbiolo called in Valle d’Aosta?
Picotendro
Where is Picotendro a large portion of the blend?
Donnas
Arnad-Montjovet
Blanc de Morgex is also called what?
Prie
Where is Prie grown and what type of wines does it make?
Slopes of Mont Blanc in some of the highest elevation vineyards in Europe to make still and sparkling wines.
Popular grapes allowed to be varietally labeled in Valle d’Aosta
Petit Arvine Gamay Petit Rouge Fumin Premetta (Premetta is usually bottled as rosé)
Minimum Percentage of Varietal in Varietal Designated wines in Valle d’Aosta
85%
Capital of Lombardy
Milan
Most important DOCG zone in Lombardy
Franciacorta
Still wines of Franciacorta can be released under what appellations?
Curtefranca (formerly Terre di Franciacorta) DOC
Sebino IGT
Who spearheaded Franciacorta Appellation
Guido Berlucchi, whose house released the first modern sparkling wines and Maurizio Zanella of Ca’Del Bosco
In what decade did Guido Berlucchi release his first sparkling wines?
1960’s
Prestige Cuvee of Ca’Del Bosco
Annamaria Clementi
When was the DOCG for Metodo Classico in Franciacorta approved?
1995
Permitted Grape Varieties in Franciacorta
Chardonnay Pinot Nero (Noir) maximum 50% Pinot Bianco
Time on lees and release date for DOCG Franciacorta
minimum 18 months on Lees
released no earlier than 25 months after harvest
Stipulations for wines labeled “Saten”
All white grapes, bottled at less than 5 atmospheres, as opposed to 5-6 atmospheres for regular bottlings
How is Franciacorta Rose produced?
Minimum 25% Pinot Nero, produced by blending as opposed to saignee
VIntage Franciacorta release date and percentage of vintage
Minimum 37 months
85% from stated Vintage
Vintage Reserve Franciacorta Aging
5 years on lees
released 67 months after harvest
Other sparkling DOCG in Lombardy
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
Grapes of Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
at least 70% Pinot Nero, labeled varietally if 85% of the blend
Oltrepo Pavese DOC
Still wines from the region
Aging of Oltreop Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
15 months on Lees for NV
24 months for Vintage
Nebbiolo appellation in Lombardy
Valtellina, north of Franciacorta
Nebbiolo is called this in Valtellina
Chiavennasca
Style of Nebbiolo in Valtellina
Light and Angular
Subzones of Valtellina Superiore DOCG
Valgella Inferno Grumello Sassella Maroggia
Aging for Valtellina Superiore DOCG
24 Months, 12 in Cask
Aging for Valtellina Superiore Riserva DOCG
3 Years
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
Valtellina made in a similar style to recioto called Sfurzato, grapes are dried to produce no more than half of the juice of fully ripe Nebbiolo grapes. Resulting wine is fermented dry to no less than 14% alcohol and aged for 2 years.
Where is Moscato di Scanzo DOCG?
Surrounding the town of Bergamo west of Franciacorta.
What type of wine is Moscato di Scanzo DOCG?
Sweet, passito wines made from Red Moscato Grapes, aged a minimum of two years without any oak.
Name for Vermentino in Liguria
Pigato
Successful Pigato DOCs
Colli di Luni DOC
Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC
Riviera Ligure di Ponente DOC Red Grape
Rossese
Grape of Cinque Terre DOC
Bosco
Style of Cinque Terre DOC
Light, Basic
Italy’s first white wine DOCG
Romagna Albana
Grape and location of Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto
Grechetto
Surrounds Bologna
What is Pignoletto?
Pignoletto was a commonly accepted synonym for Grechetto, a grape popular in nearby Umbria. But with the creation of the Pignoletto DOC, Pignoletto, like Prosecco, became an appellation. Producers outside of the DOC/DOCG area are barred from using the name on varietal labels.
Multi-Regional DOC that encapsulates Trentino-Alto Adige and Verona
Valdadige DOC
Subzone in NE Alto Adige gaining recognition for high quality wines
Valle Isarco
Grapes frequently used in Valle Isarco
Silvaner
Veltliner
Kerner
What is Kerner
a modern Schiava Grossa x Riesling crossing
Predominant red grape of Trentino-Alto Adige
Schiava
Type of wine made from Schiava
Lighter Red
Best geographical appellation for Schiava
Santa Maddelena (St-Magdalena)
Grapes blended in Casteller DOC
minimum 50% Merlot,
maximum 50%, combined or separate, Schiava Grossa, Schiava Gentile, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata (Enantio), Lagrein, Teroldego
Best growing area for Lagrein
Flat growing area of Gries
Blend of Valpolicella DOC
45-95% Corvina (Corvinone may substitute for up to 50%)
5-30% Rondinella
Maximum 25% other red grapes (no single variety may comprise more than 10% of the blend)
Of this 25%, a maximum 15% are non-aromatic red grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona, and a maximum 10% are native Italian red grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona
Blend of Amarone DOCG
45-95% Corvina (Corvinone may substitute for up to 50%)
5-30% Rondinella
Maximum 25% other red grapes (no single variety may comprise more than 10% of the blend)
Of this 25%, a maximum 15% are non-aromatic red grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona, and a maximum 10% are native Italian red grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona
Blend of Bardolino DOC
minimum 35% - 80% Corvina Veronese (Cruina or Corvina) of which 20% may be replaced by Corvinone,
10% - 40% Rondinella,
maximum 15% Molinara.
May also include up to 20% other non-aromatic grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona of which no single grape may exceed 10%
Where is Valpolicella Classico?
Western part of the appellation near the shores of Lake Garda
What is recioto and when did it originate?
Drying of grapes to be fermented and it was the precursor to modern Valpolicella and Amarone
What are the lofts called that are used to dry grapes for recioto?
fruttai
Difference between Recioto della Valpolicella and Amarone
Recioto is dried for additional time and will end up a sweeter wine while Amarone is fermented to dryness or near dryness.
How long does Amarone age before release?
Minimum two years after January 1st after harvest
What is Valpolicella Ripasso?
Finally granted its own DOC in 2010 as well, is a steppingstone in style between Valpolicella and Amarone: a wine “re-passed” over and re-fermented with the unpressed skins of grapes previously fermented for Amarone or Recioto wine.
Where is Bardolino?
Eastern shores of Lake Garda west of Valpolicella Classico
Blend of Soave DOC
min. 70% Garganega,
max. 30% combined Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay; plus max 5% other white non-aromatic grapes suitable for cultivation in Verona.
Minimum RS Recioto di Soave DOCG
70 g/l
Blend of Gambellara DOC
minimum 80% Garganega, maximum 20% Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Trebbiano di Soave
Three notable indigenous red grapes of Friuli
Refosco
Schioppettino
Pignolo
What grape is Refosco closely related to?
Mondeuse
Blend of Friuli Colli Orientali DOC labeled as Cabernet
min. 85% combined Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Carmenère
max. 15% other red grapes suitable for production in the Udine province
