Italy Flashcards

1
Q

Italy

A

Location: 20 regions stretching from the Alps to the Northern tip of Africa
History: Phoenicians, Etruscans, & Romans spread grapes around Europe
Climate: Continental cool in the north, Mediterranean warm in the south
Geography: Alps in the north, Apennine Mountains down spine
Grape Varieties: 300-500 registered grape varieties, 100s to 1,000s of native grape varieties
Viticulture: 900,000 registered vineyards

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Italian AOPs

A

Vino - 50%, typically blanco, rosso, rosato, frizzante

IGP System - IGT, Indicazione Geografica Tipica - 121, mainly in the south

DOP System - of place, rules on grapes, yields, vinification, & vintages
* DOC, Denominazione di Origine Controllata - 333
* DOCG, Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - 77

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Italian Wine Labeling

A

Classico: Traditional, theoretically superior, vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG

Riserva or Reserve: Extended ageing (in cask, then bottle), can denote lower yields and higher alcohol

Superiore: Higher level of alcohol or longer ageing

Vino Vecchio: Old or aged wine

Spumante: Sparkling
Frizzante: Slightly sparkling
Metodo Classico: Traditional method sparkling wines

Secco: Dry
Dolce: Sweet

Recioto or Passito: Wine made from dried grapes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

N Italy

A

Location: Border of Switzerland & France, “Foot of the mountain”, Alps and Apennines mountains, Po River Valley
City: Genova, Turin, Milan, Trento, Venice, Bologna

Liguria, Piedmont, Valle d’Aosta, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Piedmont (region)

A

Location: NW Italy
City: Turin, Milan
Climate: Continental, rain shadow of the Alps, fog “Nebbia”
Geography: Mountains, rolling foothills
Soil: Limestone, sandstone
Grapes: red wine - Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Brachetto, white wine - Moscato, Coretese, Arneis, Timorasso

Barbaresco DOCG, Barolo DOCG

DOCGs: Alta Langa, Asti / Moscato d’Asti, Barbera d’Asti, Barbera del Monferrato Superiore, Brachetto d’Acqui, Canelli, Dogliani, Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba, Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore, Erbaluce di Caluso, Gattinara, Gavi, Ghemme, Nizza, Roero / Roero Arneis, Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato, Terre Alfieri

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Barolo DOCG & Barbaresco DOCG

A

Location: Piedmont
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
Geography: Hillsides
Viticulture: Thin-skinned grape, cool climate
Vinification: Oak aging (old and new), minimum time required by law, large barrels to small barrique

Nebbiolo, Barolo DOCG
Style: Dry red wine
Tell: Contrast of light ruby color with strong aromas and tannin
Tasting Notes: Light ruby to garnet rim, light body, high tannin, high acidity, strong aromas of tart red fruits, raspberry, cherry, orange peel, rose, tar, licorice, fennel, balsamic vinegar
Tannin: High, Acid: High, Alc: M+, Body: Light, Complexity: M+
Pairing: Truffles, risotto, pasta

Other wines: Sangiovese, Pinot Noir

Top vintages: ???

Gaja

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Primary Piedmont DOCGs and Grapes

A

RED WHITE
Nebbiolo - Barolo DOCG (100%), Barbaresco DOCG (100%), Ghemme DOCG (85%), Gattinara DOCG (90%), Roero DOCG (95%)
High tannin, high acidity, oak & age

Barbera - Barbera d’Asti DOCG (90%), Barbera del Monferrato Superiore DOCG, Barbera d’Alba DOC
Low tannin, high acidity, vibrant blue color, oak or no oak

Dolcetto - Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba DOCG (100%), Dogliani DOCG (100%), Dolcetto d’Alba DOCG (100%)
High acidity, youthful

Brachetto - Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG
Red, sweet sparkling
Pairing: Chocolate, strawberries

WHITE WHITE
Moscato Bianco - Asti DOCG (100%)
Aromatic, fresh fruit, sweet or sparkling

Cortese - Gavi DOCG (100%)
Fragrant & mineral, dry, no oak

Arneis - Roero Arneis DOCG (95%)
Fragrant & mineral, dry, no oak

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Lombardy (region)

A

Location: N Central Italy
City: Milan
Climate: Continental cool
Geography: Mountains, rolling foothills

Franciacorta DOCG

Other DOCGs: Oltrepò Pavese metodo classico, Scanzo, Sforzato di Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Franciacorta DOCG

A

Location: Lombardy, Italy
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir)
Vinification: Metodo Classico sparkling
Style: Dry, sparkling rose wine
Paring: Fried & salty calamari

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Valtellina Superiore DOCG

A

Location: Lombardy, Italy
Climate: High altitude, Alpine
Grape: Nebbiolo
Vinification: oak-aged, dry red wines

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

NE Italy

A

Location: Austria / Switzerland border
Climate: Continental, cold winters & warm summers
Geography: Alps

Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Trentino-Alto Adige (region)

A

Location: NE Italy
City: Trento
Grapes: Pinot Grigio, some Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Nero (Noir), Teroldego, Lagrein

Trentino DOC, Alto-Adige (Sudtiroler) DOC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Pinot Grigio

A

Location: Trento, Italy

Style: Dry white wine
Tell: Gray or copper tint (Vidalia onion), hay, bitter almond, lees
Tasting notes: Med straw, not very aromatic, ripe stone fruit, lemon pith, golden apple, peach skin, apricot, fresh cut hay, green almond, peanut shell, lees, crushed gravel, ginger, spice
Acid: M, Alcohol: M, Body: M, Compl: M, Phenolic bitterness
Pairing: light pasta with cream sauce

Other wines: Gruener Veltliner, Chablis Chardonnay, Melon de Bourgogne

Trentino DOC, Alto-Adige (Sudtiroler) DOC

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Veneto (region)

A

Location: NE Italy
City: Venice, Verona
Geography: Foothills of Alps
Climate: Continental to warm maritime (coast)

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Soave Superiore, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

Other DOCGs: Bagnoli Friularo, Bardolino Superiore, Colli Asolani Prosecco, Colli di Conegliano, Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio, Lison, Montello Rosso, Piave Malanotte, Recioto di Gambellara, Recioto di Soave

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Veneto DOC & DOCG and Grapes

A

Garganega, some Trebbiano di Soave - Soave DOC, Soave Superiore DOCG, Recioto di Soave DOCG
Light & unoaked

Glera - Prosecco DOC, Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG, Asolo / Colli Asolani-Prosecco DOCG
* Charmat/ tank method sparkling wine, no lees, light & fresh
Pairing: Crispy, salty cheese, mortadella

Corvina & some Rondinella - Valpolicella DOC, Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Dry and still red wine
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
* Grapes are harvested and dried, dry or off-dry, high alcohol 14-16% ABV
Black fig, raisin, prune
Pairing: Stews, braised, tomato sauce, olive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (region)

A

Location: NE Italy
Geography: Slovenian border
Climate: Continental
Grapes: Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, Merlot, Refosco dal Peduncolo
Vinification: dry, little or no oak

DOCGs: Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit, Lison, Ramandolo, Rosazzo

17
Q

Emilia-Romagna (region)

A

Location: N Central Italy, Adriatic Sea (east)
City: Bologna, Moderna
Geography: Broad, vast plains with agriculture & viticulture
Grape: Lambrusco
Vinification: Red sparkling, frizzante (some) or spumante (lots), charmat / tank method
Style: Secco (dry) or amabile (off-dry)
Pairing: Dairy & butter, Fritto fried bread

Lambrusco DOC

DOCGs: Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto, Romagna Albana

18
Q

Central Italy

A

Two coasts, pastoral flatlands with cows & dairy

Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Marche, Abruzzo

19
Q

Tuscany (region)

A

Location: Foothills of the Apennine Mountains
City: Florence, Siena
Climate: Mediterranean to continental
Grapes: Sangiovese, some Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Vernaccia, Vermentino (coast)

Chianti DOCG, Brunello de Montalcino DOGC, Chianti Classico DOCG, Montepulciano DOCG

Other DOCGs: Carmignano, Elba Aleatico Passito, Montecucco, Morellino di Scansano, Suverto, Val di Cornia, Vernaccia di San Gimignano,

20
Q

Chianti DOCG

A

Location: Tuscany
Grape: Sangiovese (70%)
Style: Dry red wines only

Subzones: Colli Aretini, Colli Senesi, Colli Fiorentini, Colline Pisane, Montalbano, Montespertoli, Rufina, Chianti Superiore

21
Q

Chianti Classico DOCG

A

Location: Tuscany
Soil: Galestro & Alberese sandstone
Grape: Sangiovese (80%), no white
Vinification: Dry red wine, barrel and bottle aging

22
Q

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

A

Location: Slopes on the hill of Montalcino
Soil: Clay, marine sediment, Galestro
Grape: Sangiovese Grosso (100%)
Vinification: min 2yr in oak and 4mo in bottle, may not be sold before Jan 1 of the 5th year following harvest
Pairing: Bistecca alla Fiorentina

Rounder, riper fruit and refined

Top vintages: ???

23
Q

Marches (region)

A

Location:
Geography: Adriatic Sea, Apennine Mountains inland
Climate: Mediterranean
Grape: Verdicchio, Montepulciano
Vinification: Dry, unoaked white wines, youthful
Pairing; Branzino with rosemary & olive oil

DOCGs: Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva, Cònero, Offida, Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva, Vernaccia di Serrapetrona

24
Q

S Italy

A

City: Naples, Palermo
Geography: Mt. Vesuvius, Mediterranean Sea, less forest & steeper hills
Climate: Mediterranean, mild winters
Pairing: sheep & goats, less cream & more olive oil, tomato, herbs

25
Q

Campania (region)

A

Location: S Italy
City: Naples, Almafi coast
Grapes: Greco, Fiano, Falanghina, Alglianico, Pedirosso
Soil: Alluvial, volcanic

DOCGs: Aglianico del Taburno, Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Taurasi

26
Q

Campania DOCGs and Grapes

A

Greco - Greco di Tufo DOCG
Pairing: buffalo mozzarella, arugula, olive oil, sea bass

Fiano - Fiano d’Avellino DOCG
Chablis, mineral, round with citrus & apple

Aglianico - Taurasi DOCG
Tannin, robust red wine
Pairing: lamb chop, wild hare, game

27
Q

Sicily (region)

A

Location: Island to the SW
Climate: Mediterranean, cooler at higher elevations
Geography: Rolling hillsides at the foot of
Mt. Etna. flatter near coast
Grapes: white wine: Carricante, Grillo; red wind: Nero d’Avola, Nerello, Mascalese, Frappato

DOCGs: Cerasuolo di Vittoria

28
Q

Sicily DOCGs and Grapes

A

Nero d’Avola, Frappato - Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG

Carricante (Marsalla), Nerello Mascalese - Etna DOC
High acidity, mod. alcohol, smokey
Pairing: Elk, venison

29
Q

Basilicata (region)

A

Location: S Italy
City: Potenza
Grapes: Alglianico
Soil: Alluvial, volcanic

DOCGs: Aglianico del Vulture Superiore

30
Q

Lazio (region)

A

Location: C Italy
City: Rome
Grapes: Malvasia, Grechetto, Cesanese, Bordeaux blend
Soil:

DOCGs: Cannellino di Frascati, Cesanese del Piglio, Frascati Superiore

31
Q

Puglia (region)

A

Location: C Italy
City: Rome
Grapes: Primitivo, Negroamaro
Soil:

DOCGs: Castel del Monte Bombino Nero, Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva, Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva, Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale

32
Q

Abruzzo (region)

A

Location: C Italy, east coast
City: L’Aquila
Grapes: Montepulciano, Sangiovese
Soil:

DOCGs: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane, Tullum

33
Q

Umbria (region)

A

Location: C Italy
City: Perugia
Grapes: Orvieto, Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot
Soil:

DOCGs: Montefalco Sagrantino, Torgiano Rosso Riserva

34
Q

Sardenia (region)

A

Location: Island, west coast
City: Cagliari
Grapes: Cannonau (Grenache), Vermentino, Carignan, Nuragus
Soil:

DOCGs: Vermentino di Gallura