Italy Flashcards
What are italy’s wine laws?
PDO :
DOP
DOC - geographical boundaries/production methods
DOCG - bottled in area of production
PGI:
IGP
IGT
classico - classified land
Riserva - ageging and alcohol
what is the overall climate of northern Italy and cooling influences?
located in the foothills of the alps and the river po - the mountains shelter from rain
moderate climate with dry short summers
lake po and lake garda provide moderating influence to inland areas
close to the sea - fungal disease can be an issue due to rain
how are vines trained in northern italy
traditionally Pergola, now more commonly VSP
where are vines planted in Alto adage?
south east and south west facing valley sides
what is the style of pinot grigio in Alto Adige?
dry, light to medium body, high acidity, citrus and green fruit flavours
where are vines planted in Trentino? and how do they differ from location?
valley floors and slopes
valley floor wines are medium bodied with medium acidity, and ripe stone fruit flavours
higher altitudes are more citrusy
2 most planted black grapes in trentino?
merlot and teroldego
what is the climate of Friuli Venezia Giulia
moderate and continental cooled by mountain air
where are the richest pinot grigios in italy coming from?
Friuli Venezia- juicy peach and tropical
what are the labels in Friuli Venezia
Friuli Grave - plains (simple white)
Colio DOC/Colli Orientali DOC - hills ( concentrated whites and reds )
what is the climate and cooling influences of Veneto
warm with moderate rainfall
cooling from altitude with a large diurnal range from lake guarda
a wine labeled Veneto IGT will be ?
simple and fruity
In Soave there are 2 distinct parts, the foothills to the north and flat plain to the south describe the soils here and the effects on the wine
foothills are made up of limestone and clay soils with some volcanic rock, soils are naturally cool combined with altitude this slows down ripening leading to higher acidity and full flavour
the vines on the plain are planted in sandy soils that aid ripening - the grapes are fruitier with medium acidity
what is the main grape of soave?
Gargangea, but other whites can be added to the blend
displaying pear, apple, stone fruit and white pepper - can age into almonds and honey
what are the labels in Soave?
Soave DOC - entire region
Soave Classico - foothills
What is the topography of Valpolicela similar to?
Soave
clay and limestone in foothills
sand in plains
what is the main grape and labeling terms of Valpolicela
Corvina - thin skin, low to medium tannin, high acidity
Valpolicela DOC - entire region
Valpolicela Classico DOC - foothills
simple and fruity with light tannins and red fruit, unoaked
Describe the Passito and Ripasso Methods
Passito - used in veneto to increase structure and flavour, grapes are picked early when high in acidity and dried indoors, concentrating sugar and flavour, fermented in winter,
Ripasso - uses grape skins from a fermenting amarone della valpolicela, before fermentation is is finished the armone is drained off the skins, the skins remain unpressed and added to a vat of valpolicella that is finished fermenting, yeast ferments further giving more colour and tannin
what are the 2 types of Passito methods Valpolicella
Armone della Valpolicella DOCG- dry or off dry, full body, high alc, high tannin, red spice and berry
Recioto della valpolicella DOCG - grapes are so sweet the fermentation stops naturally- sweet intense red fruit high alc, full body , high tannin
Soave also makes Recioto di Soave DOCG
describe a Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Med- full body, med - high tannins, stewed red cherries and plums
what is the climate of piemonte?
moderate and continental, long cold winters and risk of hail and fog in summer
moderated by po river and lake maggiore
altitude aspect
All wines of Piemonte achieve DOC and DOCG - what are the most prestigious?
barolo
barbaresco
describe a Barolo DOCG and the region
300-500 m slopes
100% nebiolo
high tannin and acidity, full body, cherries,!herbs, dried flowers
describe the labeling of Barolo?
a village name may appear on the label if they are sourced purely from that village
the best are from vineyards or crus
if it is not nebbiolo it will be labeled alba DOC
explain the differences between barolo and barbaresco?
barolo has hugger altitudes and ageing requirements of 3 years 18 mo in oak
barbaresco has lower altitude - grapes ripen earlier and is fruited and les perfumed with aging requirements of 2 years and 9 mo in oak
what are the 2 most planted grapes in in Asti and Alba
Barbera - barbera d asti - low to medium tannin high acidity, red fruit
Dolcetto - dolcetto d alba - early ripening so can be planted in cooler sites - deep purple med - high tannin, med acidity, black plum,, herbs
what is the grape grown and the growing influences in gavi
cortese - high acidity and floral, citrus and green fruit
grown in hills where altitude and sea breezes result in long and slow ripening
mostly in stainless steel some use old oak and lee’s stirring for texture and complexity
what is the general climate of southern italy
grapes are planted in the hills and valleys of the apennine mountains that provide a moderating influence on the hot climate
the 3 para of tuscany are?
mountainious north - chianti
hills and valleys of - southern tuscany
flat coastal plain - the coast
what is the grape of tuscany?
Sangiovese - red fruit, dried herbs, oaked to soften tannins
explain the labeling in Chinati?
7 sub zones
large volume will source grapes from the greater region and use Chianti DOCG
a particular sub zone could be - Chianti Rufina and Chianti Colli Sensi
Chianti Classico is it’s own DOCG
what are the aging requirements for Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Gran Riserva?
Classico - 12 months ageing
Gran Riserva - 24 months, 3 in bottle
note ; the highest designation for chianti classico is Gran Selezione - must be sourced from single estate + extra 6 months ageing
Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are the best known appellations of?
what are the differences between them?
Southern tuscany
Brunello - entirely sangiovese, and 5 years of ageing 2 in oak
Vino Nobile - blend and 2 years ageing
Rosso DOCs are an indication of?
a declassified DOCG from southern tuscany
the coastal region of tuscany birthed?
the super tuscan - a cabernet sauvignon at a premium price
Toscana IGT and Bolgheri DOC allow wines to be made entirely from french varieties
what is Umbria’s white wine?
Orvieto DOC, a blend of Grechetto and Trebbiano
light in body, med-high acidity, grapefruit and peaches
made protectively and in stainless steel
What is Lazios grape and growing conditions?
cooling effects from altitude and small lakes
Frascati DOC
a blend of Malvasia and Trebbiano
fresh unoaked medium body with medium to high acidity - citrus and floral
grape of Marche?
Verdicchio
Verdicchio die Castelli Di Jesi DOC - natural to high acidity with green apple lemon and fennel
can develop in bottle
Conero DOCG is?
blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese in Marche
Describe a montepulciano d abruzzo
high colour and tannin, medium acidity, black plum and cherry
what is the climate of southern italy?
hot and dry inland, humid near the coast, vineyards on slopes, and sea breezes cool near the pulgian peninsula.
how are vines trained in souther italy?
traditionally bush trained but now cordon training and trellising
what are the best whites in Campania?
Fiano and Greco
Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Greco di Tufo DOCG
Fiano is medium acidity, medium to full body stone fruit melons and mango, oak can provide wax and honey
Greco has more acidity and is leaner producing wines with stone fruit and apple oak and lee’s stirring can enhance the wines and can age
what is the most prestigious black grape in campania?
aglianico - deep colour, high acidity, black fruit, bottle ages develops earth and forest floor
at its best in Taurasi DOCG
what is the grape and topography of Basilicata?
900 m altitude vineyards
Aglianico del Vulture
Pulla IGT is producing?
high yield simple fruity primitivo and negromaro
controlled yield of Negromaro from Salice Salentino DOC in Pulgia produces?
high quality and full body wines with medium tannin and acidity high alcohol and baked fruit
describe Sicilia DOC
nero d avola,
medium to full body, medium acidity, low tannins, plum and black cherry, fruity early drinking style
what does Sicily do to slow down oxidation?
picks grapes in the cool night
what are the international variety’s in sicily?
chardonnay and syrah
Etna DOC produces some of the best wines in sicily.. describe them
old low yielding vines grown at high altitudes, reds are blends of nerello mascalese and nerello cappuccio to create fragrant wines with high acid and tannin, red fruit and dry herbs
a high quality white wine from sicily may be?
full body, high acidity, citrus, stone and steel
