Italian Wine Terms

Question 1

What is Millesmato?

Answer 1

Vintage: Fraciacorta may not be released for a minimum 37 months; may be labled riseva if it ages a min. Five years on its lees, with release after a min 67 months.

Question 2

What is sori?

Answer 2

A Piedmontese word for prized hilltop with southern exposure.

Question 3

What is Secco

Answer 3

Dry (less than 4-9 g/l residual sugar, depending on acidity level, for still wines; 17-32 g/l for sparkling wines; less than 40 g/l for fortified wines)

Question 4

What is Abboccato?

Answer 4

Off-dry; somewhat sweet (approx. 7-15 g/l residual sugar, 12-35 g/l for frizzante wines, and 32-50 g/l for sparkling wines)

Question 5

What is Amabile?

Answer 5

Semisweet; demi-sec (approx 15-45 g/l residual sugar for still wines; 30-50 g/l for frizzante wines; and 40-100 g/l for fortified wines; not used for sparking wines)

Question 6

What is Dolce?

Answer 6

Sweet (more than 45 g/l residual sugar for still and frizzante wines, more than 50 g/l for sparkling wines, more than 100 g/l for fortified wines.)

Question 7

What is Vendemmia Tardiva?

Answer 7

Late Harvest

Question 8

What is Muffa Nobile?

Answer 8

Noble rot; botrytis (Botrytis cinerea)