Italy Flashcards
Name the four regions in northern Italy
- Piemonte
- Trentino Alto Adige
- Veneto
- Fruili Venezia Giulia
What is the climate in northern Italy? What are the hazards and how are they mitigated?
Moderate continental. Protected by the Alps from rain. Rivers and lakes moderate by reflecting heat and sun and also cooling breezes. Areas close to the sea get rainfall and are at risk of fungus. Pergolas are often used
How are vineyards planted in Alto Adige?
In the foothills of the Alps, the vineyards are planted On terraces on SE and SW facing valleys sides of the river Adige. Because if the altitude they have a large diurnal range.
What is the main white and main red grape variety in Alto Adige?
Pinot Grigio and Schiava.
What is a Pinot Grigio from alto Adige like?
Dry, light to medium body, high acidity, citrus and green fruit.
where are vineyards planted in Trentino and what is the climate?
On the valley floor as well as on slopes. The mountains protect the valleys from the cooling influences of Lake Garda. It’s warmer here than Alto Adige.
Compare a Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, Trentino and Friuli.
In Alto Adige, which is higher and cooler, Pinot Grigio is light to medium bodied with high acidity and citrus and green fruit. In Trentino, where is it lower and warmer, Pinot Grigio is medium bodied with medium acidity and stone fruit flavors. In Friuli, Pinot Grigio is richest with medium to full body with peach and tropical fruit flavors.
What are the most planted black grapes in Trentino?
Merlot and Teroldego.
What is the climate of Friuli?
Moderate continental in the north, cooled by the cold air from the mountain, and warm maritime by the Adriatic Sea.
Where is Friulano grown and what kind of wine does it produce?
In Friuli and a white wine with medium to high acidity, medium body and aromas of pear, red apple and herbs.
Where is Schiava grown and what kind of wine does it produce?
In alto Adige and it’s light and fruity with low to medium tannins and flavors of raspberry and plum.
In Friuli, name two DOCs known for premium white wines.
Collio DOC and Colli Orientali DOC
What are the two best known wines from Veneto?
Suave and Valpolicella
What is Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC
A new denomination in 2017 that covers Veneto, Friuli, and Trentino. It’s widely used by producers who previously used one of the local IGTs
Describe the soil of Soave and how it influences the wine.
1) Soils in the foothills are made of limestone and clay and some volcanic rock. They are naturally cool and with the influence of altitude slow down ripening, leading to grapes with full flavor ripeness yet high acidity. They can mature.
2)in the plains the soil is Sandy and alluvial that aid ripening so wines are fruitier with medium acidity and meant to be drunk young.
Describe a Soave wine
Made of garganega it has medium to high acidity, medium body and aromas of pears, red apple, stone fruit and sometimes white pepper. No oak. When they age, they develop aromas of almonds and honey.
What is the soil like in Valpolicella and how does it influence the wine?
Like Soave, the limestone, clay and volcanic soil slow dow ripening so the grapes have more acidity. The soils in the flatter south are gravel and sand which is warmer so the grapes are fruitier with less acidity.
Describe a Valpolicella.
Made from Corvina, they have moderate color, low to medium tannins and high acidity. Local varieties may be blended to increase color and tannins. They are simple and fruity with red cherry flavors.
What is the passito method and what wine in Italy is it used for?
Used in Veneto to increase structure and flavor. The grapes are picked early with high acidity and dried indoors, concentrating the sugars and flavors. It’s used in Amarone and Recioto Della Valpolicella,
What is the name of a sweet red wine and a sweet white wine made in Veneto?
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Recioto di Soave DOCG
What is the ripasso method and what wine in Veneto is made using it?
Grapes skins from a fermenting Amarone are drained off and added to a Valpolicella that has finished fermenting. The remaining sugar on the skins ferments and this gives more color flavors and tannins to the wine. It’s called Valpolicella Ripasso.
What is the climate of Piemonte
It is moderate continental and the mountains to the north provide a rain shadow protecting it from northern winds and rain. Hazards are thunderstorms, hail and fog. The foothills range from 150-600 meters.
What are the main grapes in Piemonte.
Black: Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto.
White: Cortese and Moscato
How high are vineyards planted in Barolo?
300 to 500 meters
Describe a barolo
100% Nebbiolo, high acidity, high tannins, little color, sour Cherry, herbs and dried flowers.
Name two premium DOCG in Barolo and two generic DOCs.
Serralunga d’Alba DOCG and Cannubi DOCG for Barolo. And Alba DOC and Langhe DOC for Dolcetto and Barbera
How long must Barolo be aged at a minimum?
38 months with 18 months on wood
