Italy Flashcards
The first DOCGs were awarded in 1980 when what 3 DOCs were promoted?
Brunello di Montalcino
Barolo
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Unlike requirements set by most French appellations, DOCGs stipulate _______ requirements as well.
Aging requirements
What is IGT?
Indicazione Geografica Tipica–introduced in 1992 it offered a more relaxed regulation, giving winemakers more freedoms.
Wines are often varietally labeled and can range in quality.
Considered PGIs by the EU (vs DOC/DOCGs being considered PDOs)
What is Vino da Tavola?
Table wine–it cannot bear any geographical designation beside “Italy” itself
Super Tuscans got their start as VdT’s
What are the levels of Italian Wine Classification?
1) Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG—in EU it’s DOP)
2) Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
3) Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT–in EU it’s IGP)
4) Vino (previously Vino da Tavola)
What river cuts through Piedmont, creating a soil that’s too rich and fertile for viticulture, forcing the many grape-growing regions south of the river valley and to the foothills?
The River Po
What hills are prized for their southern exposures and are home to Nebbiolo?
Langhe and Monferrato hills
What are the 3 main red grapes of Piedmont?
Nebbiolo
Dolcetto–“little sweet one;” lower in acid, fruity
Barbera–most planted grape in Piedmont
What is Piedmont’s most planted white grape? What are other white grapes grown in the region?
Moscato Bianco is the most planted–often used in sparkling wine production in Asti
Cortese
Arneis
Erbaluce
Vermentino
Which region has 16 DOCGs and over 40 DOCs–the most of any region in the world?
Piedmont
What are the aging requirements for Barolo and Barolo Riserva?
At least 38 months (from Nov 1st of the harvest year), but only 18 must be in oak
For Riserva, a total of 62 months (5 years) before release
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco and Barbaresco Riserva?
A min 2 years, with a min 9 months in cask
For Riserva, a min of 4 years
What is Barolo Chianto?
A DOCG that makes aromatized wine flavored with quinine (ex: Cappellano)
Where is Roero DOCG located?
Across the Tanaro River from Barolo and Barbaresco in Piedmont
Roero is known for producing what types of wine?
Red wine with a min of 95% nebbiolo
White wines from the Arneis grape
What are the two DOCG appellations for Barbera?
Barbera d’Asti
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
What are the aging requirements for Barbera d’Asti and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore?
Barera d’Asti can be released as “normale” after only 4 months aging
Barbera del Monferrato Superiore spends 14 months aging, with 6 months in cask
What are the DOCG appellations for Dolcetto and how are they released (normale/superiore)?
Dogliani–normale or superiore
Dolcetto di Ovada Superiore–must be superiore
Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba–normale or superiore
For Dolcetto DOCGs, what is the aging requirement for Superiore?
1 year aging
What was the first still white wine DOCG in Piedmont and what does it produce?
Gavi DOCG–dry, minteral whites from Cortese
What region is the largest producer of DOCG wine in Italy?
Asti
What does Asti DOCG make?
Fully spumante wines comprised solely of Moscato Bianco, blended from vast vineyards across the souther provinces of Piedmont before undergoing secondary fermentation, usually via the Charmat Method.
What’s the difference between Moscato d’Asti DOCG and Asti DOCG?
Asti is always entirely sparkling.
Moscato d’Asti is slightly sparkling (frizzante) crafted from riper Moscato Bianco grapes. It’s a delicate wine reaching only 4.5-6.5% alcohol.
What is produced in Alta Langa DOCG?
More serious traditional method sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Champagne or Franciacorta styles.
Must age for min 30 months after harvest and riserva wines must wait a full 3 years.
Where is Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG?
Piedmont
Where is Franciacorta DOCG?
Lombardy
What grapes are permitted in Franciacorta?
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and a max 50% Pinot Bianco