Italie du Nord Flashcards
Where are the vineyards located in northern Italy?
What kind of climate?
The vineyard regions of Northern Italy are located in the foothills of the Alps and on the extensive plain of the River Po. The Alps form a barrier that extends the length of the north Italian border, and shelter the vineyards from rain.
MODERATE climate with dry, short summers. Local rivers, including the Po (south), and glacial lakes, such as Lake Garcia (north), provide a moderating influence to inland areas. Areas that lie close to the sea
can have higher levels of rainfall, meaning that fungal
diseases can be a problem.
What are the main caracteristics of vines training in the northern part of Italy?
Traditionally planted with high yielding vines at low densities.
A complex trellising system called pergola was common: the canopy is trained high with the fruit hanging down below a horizontal canopy of leaves.
- provides shade, slows ripening/protects from sunburn
- allows air to circulate, minimising the risk of rot
- good for grapes that need high acid/low sugar, e.g. grapes for sparkling wine
- good for grapes that need to be dried after harvest, e.g. passito wines.
However, higher density plantings using VSP training are now more common.
Where is Piemonte and what is its climate?
What is the first red grape to ripen in Piemonte?
Piemonte is in the northwest corner of Italy.
Its climate is moderate Continental.
Dolcetto (purple color)
What are the primary black/red grapes used in Piemonte?
Nebbiolo
Barbera (most planted)
Dolcetto
What are the 2 most important red DOCGs of Piemonte?
What is the only grape allowed?
BAROLO DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
Nebbiolo
What is the aging requirement for Barolo?
38 months, 18 of which must be in oak
What is the aging requirement for Barbaresco?
26 months, 9 of which must be in oak
If a bottle of Barolo has just “Barolo” on it, where can the grapes come from that go into that wine?
The grapes can come from any of the several villages that make up the Barolo DOCG
If the grapes for a Barolo come from just one village or just one vineyard, what appears on the label?
You’ll see Barolo + name of village (e.g. Serralunga d’Alba, La Morra) or Barolo + name of cru (e.g. Villero, Francia).
Is Nebbiolo an early or late ripener?
Nebbiolo is a late ripener.
Note the pale color (Nebbiolo is thin skinned but packed with tannins).
Which mountains create a rain shadow in Piemonte, protecting the region from northern winds?
The Alps
What are the weather threats in Piemonte
summertime hail
fog, which can lead to underripe grapes or rot
What are the 2 primary white grapes in Piemonte?
Moscato (most planted)
Cortese
Are there any IGPs or IGTs in Piemonte?
No, Piemonte has only DOCs and DOCGs.
What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barolo?
Which direction do the most important vineyards in Barolo face?
300-500m
Most vineyards in Barolo face south.
What is the altitude range for vineyards in Barbaresco?
200-400m
Lower altitude means Nebbiolo ripens earlier in Barbaresco, making Barbaresco usually a bit fruitier than traditional Barolo.
Which DOCG can be on a wine if the Cortese grapes only come from the village of Gavi itself?
Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Light body, high acid, citrus, pear/apple aromas
Barbera d’Alba is a DO____.
Barbera d’Asti is a DO____.
Barbera d’Alba DOC
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Which Dolcetto DOC is generally viewed as the one making better Dolcetto?
Dolcetto d’Alba DOC
Veneto lies on what sea?
Adriatic. Venice is in the eastern part of the Veneto.
What lake is on Veneto’s western border?
How does this lake influence the winegrowing area around it?
Lake Garda
Breezes off the lake cool down vineyards in the western portion of the Veneto.
What is the main red grape in Valpolicella DOC and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG?
CORVINA.
It has a profile of sour cherry and high acidity.
Grapes grown on the valley floor in Valpolicella use which DOC?
Grapes grown in the foothills of Valpolicella use which DOC?
Valley floor: Valpolicella DOC
Foothills: Valpolicella Classico DOC
What are the soils of Valpolicella DOC?
What are the soils of Valpolicella Classico DOC?
Which is more fertile?
Valpolicella DOC –gravel and sand (more fertile)Valpolicella Classico DOC –limestone, clay, and volcanic
Valpolicella Classico DOC and Soave Classico DOC, both located in their respective foothills, have similar soils.
What are those soils?
Limestone, clay, and volcanic rock
What are the 2 styles of red wines in Veneto made using the passito process?
1.Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
2.Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
When a winemaker knows they’re going to use the passito process, when do they harvest the grapes and when do they start fermenting them?
Harvested early to retain high acidity.
Ferment the grapes after they’ve dried indoors, which takes months, so fermentation doesn’t start until mid-winter.
How is Valpolicella Ripasso made?
Fresh, just-fermented Valpolicella DOC wine is poured over drained but unpressed skins left over from Amarone or Recioto production; both are racked into a different container where a secondary alcoholic fermentation occurs giving the Valpolicella Ripasso more structure and richness.
Recioto della Valpolicella is made with fresh, semi-dried, or fully dried grapes?
Recioto della Valpolicella wines are dry, semi-sweet, or sweet?
Recioto della Valpolicella is made withsemi-dried grapes, which are dried on straw mats prior to fermentation.
There is still so much sugar in these semi-dried grapes that fermentation stops naturally.
Study These FlashcardsRecioto della Valpolicella wines aresemi-sweet to sweet.They’re also high in alcohol, high in tannins, and full bodied.33Which sparkling wine DOC in Veneto is shared with Friuli?
Study These FlashcardsProsecco DOC Prosecco DOC puts out >2,000,000 hl of wine annually.34What 2 influences help cool down the warm climate of Veneto?
Recioto della Valpolicella wines are dry, semi-sweet, or sweet?
Recioto della Valpolicella wines are semi-sweet to sweet.
Which sparkling wine DOC in Veneto is shared with Friuli?
Prosecco DOC
What 2 influences help cool down the warm climate of Veneto?
- Cool breezes from Lake Garda
- Diurnal shifts affecting vineyards planted in the foothills of The Alps
The flat plains in southern Veneto, where a lot of inexpensive wine is made, are affected by what?
Moisture and fog coming from the Pò River, which increases disease pressure and therefore the need for spraying.
The vineyards on the flat land near the Pò River are planted mostly to which grapes?
Under which IGT are these grapes usually bottled?
Whites: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Garganega, Trebbiano
Reds: Merlot, Corvina
These high-yielding grapes go into inexpensive wines usually bottled under VENETO IGT
Many wines that have been labeled as Veneto IGT are now using this newer DOC.
In what year was this newer DOC launched?
delle Venezie DOC, since 2017
(to be confirmed)
Describe the 2 distinct areas of Soave.
Northern foothills:
- soils are limestone, clay, and some volcanic rock
- grapes ripen slowly due to altitude
- resulting wines have higher acid and can age.
Southern flat plain:
- soils are sandy and alluvial
- grapes ripen faster
- resulting wines are fruitier and are meant to be drunk young.
What is the main grape used in Soave and Soave Classico?
Garganega
other grapes permitted in Soave and Soave Classico are Trebbiano di Soave and Chardonnay
Grapes grown in the foothills in Soave can use which DOC?
Soave Classico DOC
Amarone della Valpolicella: is it dry, off-dry, or sweet?
Amarone della Valpolicella can bedry or off-dry.
What is Italy’s northernmost region?
Centred around the town of Bolzano in the foothills of
the Alps, ALTO ADIGE is Italy’s most northerly wine region.
How are the majority of wines from Trentino-Alto Adige labelled: by grape variety, by fantasy name, or by zone?
By grape variety
What are the main white grapes of Alto Adige?
And the main white grapes of Trentino?
PINOT GRIGIO in Alto Adige, in a dry style, with a light to medium
body, high acidity and citrus and green fruit flavours.
Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc are the next most important white grapes.
TRENTINO: The main varieties are Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio
What are the main red grapes of Alto Adige?
And the main red grapes of Trentino?
ALTO ADIGE: Italian variety SCHIAVA, producing light fruity wines with low to medium tannins and flavours of raspberries and plums.
TRENTINO: MERLOT and the Italian variety TEROLDEGO are
the two most planted black grapes, grown mainly on the
mid -slopes and valley floor. The latter grape produces
wines with a deep colour , medium to high tannins, high
acidity and a medium to full body with aromas of black
fruit .The wines are normally matured in oak, some can age.
Are there any DOCGs in Trentino-Alto Adige?
no, only DOC
What is the climate of Trentino and Alto Adige?
Moderate climate
with cole winters, short and dry summers, low rainfall during the growing season. Most of the vineyards experience a large diurnal range due to their altitudes, making them ideal for the production of aromatic whites and elegant, light-bodied reds.
What 2 bodies of water provide moderating influences to Trentino-Alto Adige?
Lake Garda
River Adige
Where are vineyards planted in Alto Adige and what aspect do they have?
Vineyards in Alto Adige are planted on terraces on both sides of the River Adige facing south east and south west.
Vineyards in Trentino are planted where: on the valley floor, on slopes, or both?
Vineyards in Trentino are planted both on the valley floor and on slopes, however lower in altitude than in Alto Adige
Trentino is north or south of Alto Adige?
Trentino is south of Alto Adige
What factors make Trentino slightly warmer than Alto Adige?
- More southerly latitude
- Vineyards at lower altitudes
- Mountains to the west protect it from cooling breezes off Lake Garda.
The northeastern region of Friuli abuts which countries?
Austria to the north
Slovenia to the east
Friuli receives airflow from which two sources?
The Alps
The Adriatic
What is the climate of northern Friuli?
What is the climate of southern Friuli?
Northern: moderate Continental
Southern: warm Maritime
What is the most prevalent white grape in Friuli?
What is the most prevalent red grape in Friuli?
PINOT GRIGIO: medium to full bodied, richly textured, and stone fruited.
MERLOT
Besides Pinot Grigio, what is another important white grape in Friuli?
FRIULANO
What are the 3 most important DOCs in Friuli?
- Friuli Grave (largest)
- Colli Orientali
- Collio (smallest)
What is another name for Nebbiolo in Lombardy?
Chiavennasca
What are the four defining lakes of the Lombardy region?
Lake Como
Lake Garda
Lake Iseo
Lake Maggiore
Valtellina Superiore DOCG must be made from what percentage of Nebbiolo?
Valtellina Superiore DOCG must be made from at least 90% Nebbiolo.
What appellation in Lombardy is known for producing wines from the Lambrusco family of grapes?
Lambrusco Mantovano DOC
Lambrusco Mantovano DOC is unique in that it is the only Lambrusco made outside of Emilia-Romagna.
What grape variety has the greatest vineyard acreage in Lombardy?
Croatina
How many DOCGs are in Lombardy?
5
Franciacorta Moscato di Scanzo (Scanzo) Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Sforzato di Valtellina Valtellina Superiore
What are the subzones of the Valtellina Superiore DOCG?
From west to east:
Maroggia Sassella Grumello Inferno Valgella
The Lugana DOC is shared between Lombardy and what other Italian region?
Veneto
What is the smallest DOCG in Lombardy in terms of geographical area?
Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
In terms of geographical area, Moscato di Scanzo is the smallest DOCG in all of Italy.
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG is authorized to produce what style of wine?
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG are Nebbiolo-based wines, vinified dry, made using the appassimento (grape-drying) process.
The Lugana DOC is located nearest which lake?
Lake Garda
The Lugana DOC makes wines primarily from what grape variety?
Verdicchio
In Lombardy, Verdicchio is also known as Trebbiano di Lugana. For Laguna DOC white wines, 90% must be Verdicchio (Trebbiano di Lugana).
The Valtellina wine region runs along what river?
The Valtellina wine region runs almost perfectly east-west along the course of the Adda River.
The Vespolina grape variety is more widely known as what in Lombardy?
Ughetta
Ughetta/Vespolina is more widely grown in Piedmont, but plays a significant role in the Nebbiolo-based wines of Lombardy as well.
What does the term Chiaretto mean on a bottle of Lombardian wine?
Chiaretto is a term for rosato (rosé) style wines made in certain parts of Lombardy.
Chiaretto is also used in the Veneto for rosato wines from the Bardolino DOC, called Bardolino Chiaretto.
The Croatina grape variety often goes by what other name in Lombardy?
Bonarda
If a cru is on a bottle of Barolo or Barbaresco, what percent of grapes must come from that cru?
What are the other grapes allowed in Valpolicella DOC and Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG?
