Italian Wines Flashcards
How many wine regions are there in Italy?
20 wine regions.
What is the grape Piedmont is famous for?
The Nebbiolo.
What are the 3 most famous wine regions in Italy and where are they located?
Piedmont in North-West Italy, Toscany slightly South (west side) and Veneto in North-East Italy.
What grapes are used in Barolo and Barbaresco?
Only Nebbiolo can be used.
Where is the Nebbiolo cultivated in Piedmont?
On the hills of Langhe (a hilly region) around Alba (Town)
Where are the name Barolo and Barbaresco from?
It is named after villages of the production zone.
Describe the Barolo and the Barbaresco
They are full-bodied wines high in tannin, acidity and alcohol with aromas of Roses, Violette, Strawberry and tar.
How long does the Barolo need to age before drinking?
3 years minimum and 5 years for the mention “Riserva” on the bottle. If traditionally made they might need 10-20 years of aging and decanted for hours prior to drinking.
How long does the Barbaresco need to age before drinking?
2 years minimum and 4 years for the mention “Riserva” on the bottle. If traditionally made they might need 10-20 years of aging and decanted for hours prior to drinking.
What is the difference between the Traditional method of producing wine and the Modern method?
Traditional method: long fermentation with the stalk to extract tannins then long aging in large oak barrels to soften the tannins. They usually require more aging.
Modern method: Short fermentation then aging in small oak barrels to amplify the tannins and oakiness. Wines using this method tend to be fruitier and requires less aging.
What is Gattinara?
It is another appellation in the north of Piedmont that also uses Nebbiolo as a grape.
Name grapes used in Piedmont.
Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Cortese (white), Arneis (white)
What wine is as famous as Michel Ange or the tower of Pisa in Tuscany?
The Chianti. Which is a wine district and appellation.
Tell a fun fact about the Dolcetto grape
It is only limited to Piedmont, and the translation is soft/doux but wines made with it themselves are extremely dry.
In how many districts is Chianti divided in?
In seven districts throughout the whole of Tuscany.
What district makes the best wine in Tuscany? The second?
Chianti Classico. Chianti Ruffino.
What grapes are the mostly used in Tuscany?
Sangiovese and Trebbiano.
What distinguishes Chianti’s wines between themselves?
The district where it is produced, the aging style and also the grapes used.
What is Brunello di Montalcino ?
It is a Wine district in Tuscany, in the south of Florence.
What are the 3 most famous wine in Veneto?
Soave white, Valpolicella and Bardolino. All three are made close to Verona city.
What grapes are used in Veneto?
Corvina, Rondinella, Trebbiano (white)
