Italy Flashcards
Denominazione Origine Controllata (DOC)
- created in 1963, to provide much-needed structure and standards of production
- based on the French DOC Laws
- the regionals laws were established to define:
- yields
- grape varieties
- geographical boundaries
- viticultural and vindication techniques
- alcohol levels
- AGING REQUIREMENTS (not in French AOC Laws)
*There are 333 DOCs in Italy…and counting
Denominazione Di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG)
- first conceived in 1963, enacted in 1980
- Garantita: wines must be approved by a government tasting panel on an annual basis
- wines follow a stringent production criteria, including: Lower yields, higher planting density, longer aging and higher minimum alcohol levels
- Golden Seal: wine bottles carry a golden seal label called FASCETTA or SIGILLO with an alphanumeric ensuring authenticity
- Initially 3 appellations upgraded to DOCG:
- Brunello
- Barolo
- Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano
*Total of 75 DOCGs…and counting
Most planted grape in Italy
Sangiovese
This grape is allowed to be planted in all 20 regions of Italy
What’s the synonym for Nebbiolo in Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG
Spanna
Famous red grapes of Piedmont
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
White:
Arnais
Cortese - in Gavi
Moscato
Important white wine appellation of Piedmont
Gavi DOCG - cortese grape
Name 3 DOCGs in Piedmont where wines are produced from 100% Dolcetto
Dogliani DOCG
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore DOCG
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG
Roero DOCG
Located in Piedmont - opposite Barolo and Barbaresco
Dry White: from Arneis grape
Sparkling Wine: from Arneis grape
Dry Red: from Nebbiolo grape
Goria Laws
-Enacted in 1992 to address the shortcomings of the DOC system
-Introduction of the IGT to address the Vino da Tavola (VdT) issue
-
Classico
Best zone within a region
Is a wine produced in the most typical and renowned area of the appellation
Superiore
Is a wine having a percentage of alcohol by volume higher than the normal requirement for the appellation
Riserva
Is a wine that went through a longer aging process than the normal requirement for the appellation
Appassimento
- the process of drying grapes to make wine
- it’s carried out in Valpolicella, VENETO REGION on a much wider scale than anywhere else
- it’s central to the unique style of Veneto’s wines: Valpolicella Ripasso and Amarone. It is the process of drying grapes in ventilated drying lodges (fruttai) over the winter months
- losing around 30% of their water content, the sugars and flavor compounds in the grapes are concentrated. In addition, acidity decreases while RESVERATROL and Glycerin levels increase, lending balance, richness and a unique glossy texture to the wines
- Amarone - is made from the fermentation of these appassimento grapes and due to the concentrated sugars these wines can reach 15-17% ABV. This level of alcohol kills off the yeasts, leaving some unconverted sugars in the pomace (the residue from the grapes, including skins and pips)
- Recioto- is made in the same way but fermentation is stopped early, leaving plenty of remaining sugars for sweetness
- Valpolicella Ripasso -
Traditional Method: Quintarelli
Modern Style: Dal Forno Romano
Most planted grape in Piedmont
Barbera grape
Minimum Aging Requirements for:
- Barolo
- Barolo Riserva
- Barbaresco
- Barbaresco Riserva
- Brunello
- Brunello Riserva
- Barolo - 3 years (18 months wood aging)
- Barolo Riserva - 5 years (18 months wood aging)
- Barbaresco - 2 years (9 months wood aging)
- Barbaresco Riserva - 4 years (9 months wood aging)
- Brunello - 5 years (2 years wood aging)
- Brunello Riserva - 6 years (2 years wood aging)
Barolo and Barbaresco is 100% Nebbiolo and Brunello is 100% Sangiovese
The high tannins require the wine to age longer before being out on the market. Aging does more than just reduce tannins, it also changes the way the fruit flavors taste in a wine.
Barolo: 3 years or 38 months (2months harvest + 18 months in wood)
Barolo Riserva: 5 years or 62 months (2 months harvest + 18 months in wood)
DOCG for Arneis in Piedmont
Roero DOCG
Why does Nebbiolo grape have high tannins if it’s a thin skinned grape like Pinot Noir?
Nebbiolo goes through extended mace ration and spends longer in contact with the grape skins
Alta Langa DOCG
Alta Langa Metodo Classico is among the newest SOCGs in Piedmont, Northwest Italy
- created in 2011
- the title is the regions first to specialize in Sparkling White Wines made from Pinot Noir or Chardonnay using the Metodo Classico (Methode Traditionelle)
Synonym for Nebbiolo in Lombardy
Chiavennasca
Synonym for Nebbiolo in Gattinara DOCG and Ghemme DOCG in Piedmont
Spanna
Nebbiolo Synonyms
Piedmont (Gattinara DOCG & Ghemme DOCG) - Spanna
Lombardy (Valtellina Superiore DOCG) - Chiavennasca
Franciacorta Producer
Ca del Bosco
Belleuista
Name Italy’s first mandatory Metodo Tradizionale sparkling wine DOCG
Franciacorta DOCG in Lombardy
Franciacorta Saten: Blanc de Blanc from Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco made only Brut with
Atmospheres of Pressure: 5
Months on Lee’s: 24 months
Aging Requirements:
- Minimum: 18 months on Lees (25 months total after harvest)
- Millesimato (vintage): 30 months on Lees (37 months total after harvest)
- Riserva: 60 months on Lees ( 67 months total after harvest)
Sparkling Wine in Champagne, France has a minimum of 12 months on Lees which is lower than in Italy.
Region of Italy where German Grapes are Common
Trentino Alto-Adige- Northernmost region of Italy with steep alpine valleys that is close to Germany. There are no DOCGs here BUT highest number of DOCs than any other regions
Whites Grapes: Pinot Grigio Muller Thurgau Lerner Gewurtraminer Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc
Red Grapes:
Teroldego,
Lagrein
Schiava