Italy

Question 1

What do Classico and Riserva mean?

Answer 1

Classico: vines are limited to the initial area of planting and covers some of the best regions (the region hasn’t been extended)
Riserva: higher alcohol, elevage plus long than what’s required by the appellation

Question 2

Name the 4 geographical acronyms for classifying Italian wines

Answer 2

AOP (DOprotetata).
DOC: geographic limit, cahier des charges, specific cépages
DOCG: DOC + bottles in the region of production and tasted by the minister of agriculture
IGP/IGT

Question 3

What 5 areas does Northern Italy (Piemonte) include?

Answer 3

Includes Haut Adige, Trentin, Frioul-Venice-Julienne, Venetie and Piemonte

Question 4

Describe the climate and geography of Northern Italy (Piemonte) in general

Answer 4

Climat: tempéré, êtes courts et secs
Les Alpes=barrier that protects the vineyards from rain. Rivers (Po) and glacial lakes (like the lac de Garde) temperent les zones dans les terres. Rain near the coasts=risk of maladie cryptographiques

Question 5

What is the pergola system?

Answer 5

It consists of palisser la vigne en hauteur so that the grapes pendent sous la surface foliaire horizontally. Protects the grapes from the sun, circulates the air, minimises rot risk. Also used to get high acidity and low sugar (especially for sparkling wines for example), and for the passerilage that requires healthy, whole grapes. Vertical palissage and hautes density de plantations are répandue today.

Question 6

Describe the climate/location of Alto Adige (Haut Adige)

Answer 6

Haut Adige (Alto Adige)
The most northern wine region of Italy, located around Bolzano
Vines plantes en terrasses sur les flancs orientées sud-est/sud-ouest de la vallée de l’Adige.
Climat tempérée, été courts et secs, low rain during the cycle vegetative.
Altitude accounts for a big amplitude thermique diurne, ideal for making aromatic white wines and elegant light reds.

Question 7

List the cepages de Alto Adige

Answer 7

White=Pinot Grigio. Dry, corps leger a moyen, acidité élevé, agrumes + fruits vert.Also have Gewurtz, Chardonnay and pinot Blanc.

Red=schiava: vin legers et fruites, peu a moyen tannins, framboise, prune.

Most wines are sold under DOC Alto Adige.