Italy Flashcards
What are the 2 Italian Wine PDO’s
DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
-must meet all DOC requirement and be bottled in region of production.
DOC - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
PDO wines names are derived from three categories…
Locale : Borolo, Taurasi and Collio - derived from places
Grapes and Locale: Brunello di Montalcino, Barbera d’asti
HIstorical: Chianti, Valpolicella - from Greek nomenclature
what is the Classico labelling term in Italy?
wines made from their original appellation - usually better quality
what is Riserva in Italy?
higher quality, more alcohol, longer ageing. Often applied to an average quality wine when released the following vintage.
Describe the passito process
- only perfectly healthy bunch are used
- dried on mats in the sun or on racks in a room called a FRUTTAIO
- will dry for a few weeks to 6 months depending on climate
What are some examples of white passito wines?
Recioto de soave DOCG
Passito di Pantelleria DOC
Tuscany’s vin santo DOC
What are example of red passito wines?
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG
Recioto della Valpolicella (sweet)
What is the climate of Italy?
Mediterranean, cooler in North, Hotter in south
What is a big environmental hazard in Piedemonte?
hail
Which appellations in Italy have Marine soils?
clay with limestone mix
Valpolicella, Barolo, Barbaresco, Chianti
Cortese, Verdicchio
Barbera favours ______ soil, while Nebbiolo favours ____ soil.
clay, limestone
Name DOC(G)’s that have volcanic soil
Soave, Colli Euganei, Lacryma Christi and Etna.
What type of trellising is used in Puglia and Sicily?
brush-trained (alberello)
What is the largest area under vine in Italy?
Piedmonte - more than 50 appellations
soil type and geography of Piemonte
steep limestone hills - south facing sites are the best
Min aging requirement for Barolo
min 3 yrs before release, of which 18 months must be in oak
What kind of oak is used in Barolo
modern producer using french barrique, traditional producers using Slovanian oak bottes
What is the ageing requirement for riserva Barolo?
min ageing 5 yrs, 18 months in oak
what are the two different soils of Barolo and how do they affect the flavour of the wine?
Blue tinted Tortonian Soil (Barolo and La Morra) - softer, fruiter, early maturing style
- Beige Helvetian soils (Monforte and Serralunga) - more structured, takes longer to mature
fun fact: Castiglione has both types
What DOC overlaps both Barolo and Barbaresco?
Langhe DOC - can have great value Nebbiolo
Where is Roero DOCG and what does it make?
In piemonte - makes Nebbiolo and Arneis
Where is Barbera d’Asti from and what does it taste like?
Piemonte. HIgh acid, low tannin
Where is dolcetto d’asti found and what does it taste like?
Piemonte - high tannin, low acid.
Where is Dogliani DOCG and what is it known for?
Piemonte. Dolcetto
Where is Gavi DOCG and produces wine from which grape variety?
Piemonte. Cortese.
What region is the most important for making Vermouth in Italy
Piemonte