Italy Flashcards
What are the acronyms for Italian PDO wines, what do they mean and what conditions are attached?
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Subject to geographical boundaries, limits on grape varieties and rules on production methods.
DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
As above, often stricker, plus must be bottled in area of production.
What are Italian Classico wines?
Wines made solely from the original classified area.
What does ‘Riserva’ on an Italian wine mean?
Wine with both higher alc and longer ageing than the minimum for the appelation
In Northern Italy how were grapes traditionally trained and, increasingly, how are they trained now?
What is a major benefit of this change?
Traditionally - high yield vines planted with low density.
Pergola, vine canopy with grapes hanging down allowing good airflow and so less rot, along with shade against grape sunburn. Still used for high acid, low sugar grapes intended for sparkling wine.
Change > modern - VSP training allows higher density but fewer grapes per vine, resulting in higher quality grapes.
Pinot Grigio is key in which 6 regions?
Alto Adige, Trentino, Friulli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Colli Oriental and Veneto.
Where is Gargenega, primarily, grown?
Veneto for Soave
What is Trebbiano like and what is it used for?
High yield grape, usually simple and fruity for IGT wines
What are IGT wines?
PGI wines of Italy
IGT = Indicazione Geographica Tipica
What is Cortese? What does it taste like and where is it predominantly grown?
White grape, high acidity, floral, pale, light, body with aromas citrus, green apple and pear.
Mainly used in Gavi (in Piedmont).
What is the typical profile of Nebbiolo?
Identify 2 DOCGs for which it is most associated?
High acidity and tannin but light in colour.
At altitude it has aromas of sour cherries, roses, herbs and dried flowers. With age develops aromas of tar, truffle and leather
Used in Barolo and Barbaresco
What is the typical profile of Barbera?
Identify 2 DOCGs for which it is most associated?
Low to medium tannin with high acidity.
Aromas of red cherries, plums and sometimes black pepper. Can be youthful and fruity or barrel aged for spicy flavours.
Mainly Barbera d’Alba DOC and the higher quality Barbera d’Asti DOCG
What is the typical profile of Dolcetto?
Identify a key DOCs for which it is most associated?
Deep colour, high tannin (double t in its name!), medium acidity. Aromas black plums, red cherries and dried herbs.
Mainly used Dolcetta d’Alba DOC
Which is Italy’s most northerly wine region and what is mainly produced there?
Alto Adige
Aromatic whites mainly from Pinot Grigio but also Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc
Identify 5 regions of the north of Italy.
Alto Adige
Trentino
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Veneto
Piemonte
Where is Veneto?
What are its two most famous appellations?
North East Italy, neighbouring Lake Garda (cooling influence).
Soave and Valpolicella.
What is the main grape grown in Soave?
What is sweet Soave called?
Gargenega
Recioto di Soave DOCG
What is the main grape grown in Valpolicella?
How is the wine labelled?
What is sweet Valpolicella called?
Corvina.
Valpolicella Classico from the higher altitude hills, and Valpolicella from the flats.
Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
What is Passito, and what wine is most associated with this?
A process whereby grapes are picked early with high acidity, then dried indoors to concentrate colour, sugars and flavour.
Most famous - Amarone Della Valpolicella
Sweet - Recioto Della Valpolicella DOCG
