Italy Flashcards
What is the equivalent to the French AOC system in Italy?
Denominazione di origine controllata (“Controlled designation of origin”) [DOC]
What are the classifications of Italian wines and how do they differ?
1)DOCG (=DOP), Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin
High quality, lowest yields
2)DOC
Denomination of Controlled Origin, controlled areas, regulates geography, grapes, yields, and ageing
IGT(=IGP)
high yield, at least 85% from the area, Indication of Typical Geographic Origin; =French Vin du Pays, German Landwein
VDT
Vini Varietali%Vino (Varietal Wine), simplest wines, least government regulations; =French Vinde Table/German Tafelwein
What are the principle grape varieties used to make the Benchmark wines of Italy e.g.
Barolo, Chianti, Brunello? (Emphasis will be on the ones tasted in class.)
Nebbiolo: Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba.
Sangiovese: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino.
Blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese: Super Tuscan.
Trebbiano: Bianco di custoza, Lugana, Soave.
What are the most important Italian wine regions and what wines are they best known
for? Emphasis will be on the ones discussed in class
Venezia: Pinot Grigio, Friulano (Tocai)
Piedmont: Nebbiolo
Tscany: Sangiovese
What are the labeling requirements and how does one decode Italian wine labels?
Italian wines are required by law to show an established set of basic information (producer name, appellation, vintage, alcohol content and bottle volume).
How are Italian wines named?
Grape variety (Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Trebbiano), and used with an IGT or DOC
Area of production (Barolo, Chianti, etc.)
Grape Variety and Area (Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano etc.)
Fantasy/Proprietary name, all are now designated as part of an IGT or DOC (Excelsus, Sassicaia, Summus, Tignanello etc.)
Legend, based on folklore or tradition, must also have place name
How do Super Tuscans differ from other Italian wines made in Tuscany?
This useful but unofficial term emerged in the 1970s, to describe a particular set of high-quality Tuscan wines which were precluded from claiming DOC or DOCG status because they broke traditional Italian winemaking norms (foreign grape varieties were used, and the wines were often matured in small, new oak barrels). Several of these wines earned global recognition and astronomical price tags - hence ‘Super Tuscan’.
Usually a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot
What terms on an Italian wine label are meaningful and what do they tell us?
VDT, IGT, DOC, DOCG. IGP, DOP.
How does Italy’s climate influence wine styles produced in various regions?
Alpine foothills in the North and Mediterranean coastlines in the south creates ideal climate. Hilly landscape and high-altitude provide relief for grapevines in warm south.
What historic events influenced the growth of the wine industry in Italy?
Ancient greeks named southern Italian colonies Oenotria: “the land of wine”
Vinification and ageing improvements in the 19th century and the extensive use of cork.
Over 4000 years ago: Wine has been produced in Italy. 1963: Creation of the DOC. 1992: Institution of IGT/IGP appellation.
What label terms are not regulated and thus may not provide useful information to the
purchaser?
Reserve
Classico (historical or “classic” growing area of a specific zone)
Riserva (has been aged a longer, specified time than non-Riserva counterpart)
Superiore (higher level of alcohol or aging, possibly lower yields, and sometimes a special geographic origin)
Rosato (rosé), Rosso (red wine), Secco (dry).
How have the recent EU labeling regulations affected Italy?
Both the superior DOCG and the inferior DOC are equivalent to DOP. The following grapes are allowed to be used with country of origin with/without vintage date: Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay.
What are the varietal characteristics of the grape varieties we have tasted in class? See
the handouts, PPTs and text readings.
Pinot Gris/Gigio: Mango, melon, apple, pear, honey
Sangiovese: dried cherries, violets, dried strawberries, cinnamon
Corvina: sour cherries, spice, bitter almond
Nero d’Avola (Sicily): cheeires (dried and fresh), plums, pepper spice blend
