Italy

Question 1

Italy Location / Geography

Answer 1

20 regions
Cool continental in north to warm Mediterranean in the south
1300 registered grape varieties
900,000 registered vineyards

Question 2

Italian Wine Law and Classification

Answer 2

Vino - generic wine without geographic indication. Blanco, Rosso, or rosato and labeled without vintage.
With Geographic Indication:
-IGP - Indicazione Geografica Protetta, includes IGT - Indicazione Geografica Tipica
-DOP - Denominazione di Origine Protetta - includes DOC and DOCG

Question 3

Classico - Italian definitions

Answer 3

Traditional, theoretically superior vineyard area within a DOC or DOCG

Question 4

Riserva

Answer 4

Legally defined. Indicates extending ageing (cask, then bottle) and can denote lower yields and higher alcohol depending on the appellation.

Question 5

Superiore

Answer 5

Higher level of alcohol or longer aging depending on appellation.

Question 6

Metodo Classico

Answer 6

Traditional method for making sparking wines

Question 7

Secco

Answer 7

Dry

Question 8

Amabile

Answer 8

Off-dry

Question 9

Recioto / Passito

Answer 9

Wine made from dried grapes that is often sweet

Question 10

Piedmont (Northwest Italy) Factors of Production

Answer 10

Borders France / Switzerland
Continental with rain shadow effect from Alps
Mountains and foothills
Limestone / sandstone soil
White - Moscato, Cortes, Arneis
Red - Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Brachetto

Question 11

Barolo and Barbaresco DOCG Appellation (Piedmont)

Answer 11

Red - 100% Nebbiolo
Best vineyards on hillsides with exposure
Dry red wines
Long oak aging in large barrels or small barriques
Legal requirements for time in oak
- Barolo - 30 months total aging with min of 18 months in oak
- Barbaresco - 28 months aging with min of 9 months in oak

Question 12

Moscato d’Asti DOCG (Piedmont)

Answer 12

White - Moscato
Moscato d’Asti - off-dry, frizzante sparking wines
Asti DOCG - white, Spumante, or metodo classico sparking wines

Question 13

Barbera d’Asti DOCG (Piedmont)

Answer 13

Red - Barbera
Dry Red Wines

Question 14

Gavi DOCG (Piedmont)

Answer 14

White - Cortese
Dry white wines

Question 15

Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG (Piedmont)

Answer 15

Red - Brachetto
Sweet, sparking red wines

Question 16

Lombardy (Piedmont)

Answer 16

Northeast of Milan / foothills of Alps
Cool continental
White - Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco
Red - Pinot Nero, Nebbiolo

Question 17

Appellations of Lombardy (Piedmont)

Answer 17

Fanciacorta DOCG
-White- Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Red - Pinot Nero, Metodo Classico sparkling wines only
Valtellina Superiore DOCG
High altitude / alpine, abundant sunshine, long, slow growing season
- Red - Nebbiolo
Oak-aged, dry red wines

Question 18

Trentino-Alto Adige Region

Answer 18

Border Austria & Switzerland
Continental with cold winters and warm summers
White - Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Bianco
Red - Merlot, Lagrein

Question 19

Appellations of Trentino-Alto Adige

Answer 19

Trentino DOC
Aldo Adige (Südtiroler) DOC

Question 20

Veneto Region

Answer 20

Northern Italy / foothills of alps / east of Adriatic
Continental with warmer maritime near coast

Question 21

Veneto Appellations

Answer 21

Soave DOC
-White - garganega
-Dry white wines
-Superior sub zone: Soave Superiore DOCG
Prosecco DOC
-White - Glera (Prosecco)
-Charmat / tank method sparking wines
-Superior sub-zone: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG
Valpolicella DOC
-Red - Corvina (dominant), Rondinella
-dry red wines
-Superior sub zone: Valpolicella Classico DOC
Amazon’s Della Valpolicella DOCG