Italy Flashcards
Grape Varieties
Between 375 and 500 varieties; far more than any other country
Top Ten by Hectares: Sangiovese: 55,000 Pinot Grigio: 42,000 Trebbiano: 38,000 Glera: 32,000 Montepulciano: 30,000 Catarrato: 30,000 Merlot: 29,000 Chardonnay: 24,000 Primitivo: 19,000 Barbera: 19,000`
Wine Laws & Regulations
Central Tuscany was the first with Grand Duke Cosimo III de Medici defining the geographic limits of Chianti, Pomino (Chianti Rufino), Carmignano and Val d’Arno di Sopra in 1716 along with punishments.
DOC: Denominazione di Origine Controllata in 1967.
Vino da tavola was the alternative. Included: wines that at the time were not covered by DOC like Sassicaia grown in Bolgheri and at the time not known for high quality. and wines that did not conform to DOC laws. I.e. Le Pergole Torte from the Montevertine estate which was 100% Sangiovese at a time when Chianti Classico required blending with white grapes.
DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita; has stricter rules and is generally for more prestigious regions. effect since 1980
For DOC & DOCG official labeling terms are:
Classico: exclusively from grapes within a defined historical area within the DOC or DOCG
Superiore: with higher min alcohol levels (usually 0.5%)
Riserva: with a certain aging period. at least two years for red and one year for white. Some DOC/G specify that a portion must be in oak.
IGT: Introduced in 1992; Indicazione Geografica Tipica. wine from a define but larger area with a wider choice of grapes and styles. usually higher yields. IGT Toscana. Wide syles: white, red, rose, dry, abbocatto (demi-sec); frizzante (lightly sparkling), novello (to be drunk young), sweet wines made from dried grapes (passito) or late harvest (vendemmia tardiva)
Incorporated into the EU system in 2008 so can use DOC/G or DOP / IGP
Wine Business
Italy, with FR is one of the two largest wine producing countries. 48m hL in past 5 years.
Avg vineyard holding is less than 2ha with many taking grapes to coops, merchants or large co’s. Caviro is a large coop operating in seven regions and processing more than 10% of all Italian grapes. Cantine Riunite, Gruppo Italiano Vini, Santa Margherita, Zonin (all large co’s).
Consumption per capita has been declining. Now 1/3 that of a century ago.
DOP is 40%; IGP 27%, Vino 33%
2/5 exported. half / half still and sparkling in vol. But still are 65% of val. USA, DE, UK, CA CH
