Italy Flashcards
what are the 8 regions of northern italy
- liguria
- piedmont
- valle d’aosta
- lombardy
- trentino-alto Adige
- veneto
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Emilia-Romagna
where in Italy is the region of Piedmont, and what 2 countries border it
- northwestern italy
- france, switzerland
what does the word Piedmont translate to in english
foot of the mountain
the mountain range that lies to the north of Piedmont is the …, and the mountain ranges that lies to the south and east is the …
north: Alps
south and east: apennines
what is the climate of piedmont
continental
what effect do the alps have on piedmont
rain shadow
the alps protect Piedmont from cold northerly winds
what is the landscape of Piedmont
mountains and rolling hils
what are the soils of piedmont
- limestone
- sandstone
what are the white grapes of piedmont
- moscato
- cortese
- arneis
- timorosso (an older varietal making a comeback)
what are the red grapes of piedmont
- nebbiolo
- barbera
- dolcetto
- brachetto
what are the 2 most important DOCGs of piedmont
- barolo DOCG
2. Barbaresco DOCG
the wines of Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG are only allowed to be … , … , … wines
dry, still, red wines
besides barolo and barbaresco, what 4 other DOCGs are of importance in Piedmont?
- moscato d’Asti/ Asti DOCG
- Barbera d’Asti DOCG
- Gavi DOCG
- Brochette d’Acqui DOCG
what is the only grape allowed in Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG
nebbiolo
the best Nebbiolo vineyards in Barolo and Barbaresco are planted where
south-facing hillsides to maximize sun exposure to ripen nebbiolo
all Barolo and Barbaresco must aged in:
only oak for longer ageing
what are the ageing requirements for Barolo DOCG
- 38 months total ageing
at least 18 of those 38 months must be in oak, whether it’s new barriques or large, neutral barrels
what are the ageing requirements of Barbaresco DOCG?
- 26 months total ageing
- at least 9 of those 26 months must be in oak, whether it’s new barriques or large, neutral barrels
which DOCG ages their wines longer: Barolo or Barbaresco
barolo
Barolo requires at least 38 months of ageing prior to release while Barbaresco requires 26 months
what is the grape in moscato d’ Asti DOCG and Asti DOCG
moscato
what are the similarities and differences between moscato d’Asti and Asti
similarity:
- same grape, moscato
differences:
- moscato d’Asti = sweeter than asti, frizzante
- asti = off-dry, Spumante, an also be made methodo classico
what is the grape in Barbera d’asti DOCG
what style of wine is Barbera d’Asti
- barbera
- dry, still, red wine
what is the grape in Gavi DOCG
what style of wine is Gavi?
- cortese
- dry, still, white wines
what is the grape in Brochette d’Acqui DOCG?
what style of wine is brochette d’Acqui?
- brachetto
- sweet, sparkling pale red wines
where is the region of Lombardy located?
east/ northeast of milan
what 3 lakes in Lombardy do you need to know?
- lago di como (near Valtellina)
- lago d’Iseo (near Franciacorta)
- Lago di Garda (shared with Veneto)
what is the climate of lombardy
cool continental
what is the general landscape of the winegrowing regions of lombardy
mountainous with rolling foothills
what are the white grapes of lombardy
- chardonnay
- pinot bianco
what are the red grapes of lombardy
- pinot nero
- nebbiolo
Valtellina superiore is literally on the southern side of the Alp from switzerland. what kind of climate and terrain does Valtellina have?
- alpine climate
- high altitude, mountainous
what are the 2 most important DOCGs of Lombardy
- Franciacorta DOCG
2. Valtellina Superiore DOCG
what is the only style of wine made in Franciacorta DOCG?
sparlkling wines only, made methodo Classico (or traditional method, same as in champagne)
what are the grapes allowed to be used in Franciacorta docg?
- chardonnay
- pinot bianco
- pinot nero
what is the grape allowed in Valtellina Superiore DOCG and what is the style?
nebbiolo vinified dry (in oak, new and/or used)
where is trentino- Alto Adige located?
north/ northeast Italy, bordering Austria and Switzerland
what is the general style of wine that comes out of Trentino-alto adige?
-clean and linear
what is the climate of Trentino- alto Adige?
continental, with very cold (alpine) winters and warm summers
with the alps separating Trentino-alto adige from its neighbouring countries, what kind of terrain would you expect in trentino- alto adige?
mountainous with rolling foothills
what are the 3 main white grapes of trentino- alto adige?
- pinot grigio
- pinot bianco
- sauvignon blanc
what are the 2 main red grapes of trentino-alto adige
- merlot
2. lagrein
what are the 2 main DOCs of trentino - alto adige
- trentino DOC
2. Alto Adige D/OC (aka südtiroler doc)
where is Veneto located in italy
northeastern corner (its the region where Venice is)
on what sea is Veneto located
Adriatico sea
what is the climate of veneto
continental, though it becomes more warm maritime closer to the coast
what major/larger Veneto DOCs and DOCG are important
- soave DOC
- Prosecco DOC
- Valpolicella DOC
- Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
in soave DOC, name the
- grape
- style of wine
- superior sub-zone that’s a DOCG
- garganega
- dry, still, white wines
- soave superiore DOCG
in prosecco DOC, name the
- grape
- style of wine
- superior sub-zone that’s a DOCG
- glera
- sparkling wine made Tank Method (charm)
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
in Valpolicella DOC, name the :
- grapes
- style of wine
- superior sub-zone that’s a DOC
- corvina + rondinella
- dry, still, red wines
- valpolicella classico DOC
what are the grapes in Amarone della Valpolicella docg?
- corvina (primary)
- rondinella
what particular process is used in the vilification of amarone della Valpolicella?
appassimento process
what is the appassimento process
drying out the grapes after harvest for several weeks, allowing the grapes to develop concentrated, dried-fruit characteristics and aromas of oxidation
to what level of sweetness is amarone della Valpolicella vinified
dry to off-dry
what is the typical abv for amarone della Valpolicella docg?
14-16 % abv
generally speaking, how would you describe amarone della Valpolicella docg?
- full bodied
- high alcohol
- usually off-dry (though some are dry)
- flavours of concentrated, dried fruit
where is Friuli-Venezia Giulia located? What country does it about?
way northeastern Italy abutting slovenia
what is the climate of Friuli-Venezia Giulia?
continental
what are the top white grapes planted in friuli-venezia giulia
- Pinot Grigio
- sauvignon
- friulano
the majority do not see new oak and are meant to be drunk young + fresh
in Friuli-venezia giulia
a. wines are bottled with the name of the grape on the label, like in alsace
b. grapes are not allowed to appear on the label
a. the name of the grape appears on the label, like in Alsace
what is the most planted red grape in Friuli- Venezia giulia
merlot
most do not have a lot of new oak and are meant to be drunk young + fresh
where is Emilia-romagna located in italy
north-central Italy extending eastward towards the Adriatic (it does have a coastline on the Adriatic)
what is the climate of Emilia Romagna ?
continental
what is the landscape/ terrain of Emilia Romagna
a lot of flat, fertile plains
Emilia Romagna is better known for agriculture than it is for its wine
what is Emilia Romagna’s most famous DOC
lambrusco DOC
In lambrusco DOC:
- grape
- style
- sweetness levels
- Lambrusco grape
- sparkling red made tank method (charmat), can be either frizz ante or Spumante
- dry (secco) or off-dry (amabile)
what are the 5 regions of central italy
- tuscany
- umbria
- Latium (aka Lazio)
- marche
- abruzzo
what are the climates of central italy
coastal parts: martime
inland: continental
what is the major white grape to know from central italy
vernaccia (grown in Tuscany)
what are the red grapes to know from central italy
- sangiovese
- syrah
- cabernet sauvignon
- merlot
what 3 DOCGs of Tuscany are important
- chianti docg
- chianti classico DOCG
- Brunello di Montalcino docg
what are the minimum percentages of Sangiovese required for:
- chianti docg
- chianti classico docg
- Brunello di Montalcino docg
- chianti - 70% min
- chianti classico - 80% min
- Brunello di Montalcino - 100% only
the one style of wine allowed to be made in chianti, chianti Classico, and Brunello di Montalcino is …, …, … wines
dry, still, red wines – all based on sangiovese
what are the soils of chianti classico
- sandstone
- galestro, a layered, friable, clay/marl-like soil
Brunello di Montalcino is in and around which town
montalcino
what are the soils of Brunello di montalcino
lower elevations: clay + marine sediment
higher elevations: galestro
what is the name of the Sangiovese clone that goes into Brunello di montalcino
sangiovese grosso, aka Brunello by lokals
what are the ageing requirements for Brunello di montalcino
- aged in wood barrels minimum 2 years
- aged in bottle minimum 4 months
- cannot be sold before jan 1 the 5th year following harvest
what kinds of oak barrels are used in Brunello di montalcino
- small barriques
2. large Slavonian casks
where is le marche (aka marches)?
on the Adriatic (east coast)
what is the climate of marches
mediterranean
what is the white grape of le marche?
what’s it like?
- verdicchio
- crisp white that’s vilified dry and unoaked
what are the DOC to know in le marche
- verdicchio di materica DOC
- verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
which DOC is bigger and closer to the coast:
a. verdicchio di matelica
b. verdicchio dei castelli di Jesi
b. verdicchio dei castelli di Jesi
what are the 5 regions of southern Italy?
and what are the 2 big islands that are also regions?
- campania
- basilicata
- calabria
- molise
- puglia
- sicily
- sardinia
on what sea is campania
Tyrrhenian sea
what is the climate of campania
mediterranean
what is the terrain of campania
inland/east: volcanic mountains rugged landscape
coast/west: low-lying flatter
what famous volcano is in campania
mount vesuvius
what is the soil in campania
mostly alluvial sediment turning into volcanic sediment in the east (near Vesuvius)
what are the 3 white grapes of campania
- fiano
- falanghina
- greco
what is the red grape of campania
aglianico
what is the DOCG in campania famous for its aglianico
Taurasi DOCG
what are the ageing requirements for Taurasi DOCG
minimum 3 years prior to release, with at least 1 of those years in wood
what are the 2 white DOCGs of campania?
What are the grapes in each?
- Fiano di Avellino DOCG
- Greco di Tufo DOCG
where is Sicily I relation to italy
it’s the football that Italy’s “toe” is kicking; located in the mediterranean
what are the climates of sicily
- mediterranean generally
- maritime near the coast
- hotter inland, though cooler as the elevation rises on Mt. Etna
what is the terrain of sicily
- flatter near the coast
- hilly inland and near Mt. Etna
what are the soils of sicily
varied around the island, but strikingly volcanic on and around the slopes of Mt. Etna
what is the white grape of sicily
carricante
what are the red grapes of sicily
- nero d’avola
- nerello mascalese
what is sicilys most important DOC?
Etna DOC
where is Etna DOC
eastern side of the island; the vineyards are actually on the slopes of mt. Etna
what is the soil of Etna DOC
volcanic, well drained soil
what are the 2 grapes of Etna DOC?
- Carricante (white)
2. nerello mascalese (red)
colour of Romandolo DOCG
yellow
colour of Lacrima di Morro d’alba DOC
red
colour of Castel del Monte bambino nero DOCG
red
colour of Castel di Jesi verdicchio Reserva docg
White
colour of Fiano di Avelino docg
white
colour of Gaglianico del Vulture Superiore docg
red
colour of vernacchia di Oristano doc
white
location of Valtellina Superiore Grumello docg
lombardy
location of cinque Terre doc
liguria
location of Torgiano Rosso Riserva docg
umbria
location of verdicchio di Matelica Reserva doc
marche
location of Castel del Monte rosso doc
puglia
location of Etna Rosso doc
sicily
location of amazon della valpolicella
veneto
location of gattinara
piedmont
location of verdicchio dei castelli di jesi
marche
location of Lambrusco di sorbara
veneto
location of taurasi
campania
location of greco di tufo
campania
location of vino Nobile di Montepulciano
tuscany
location of cinque Terre sciaccetra
liguria
