Italy - Introduction

Question 1

How did families like Antinori or Frescobaldi become wine producers?

Answer 1

• Florence became the banking capital (11-14th century)
• Families that made money in banking invested in land and wine production

Question 2

When did the modern period of Italian wine begin? (with the styles known today)

Answer 2

• In the 19th century
• International varieties in early. 20th century after phylloxera

Question 3

What are recent trends? (last 50 years)

Answer 3

• Stainless stell with temp. control
• Bordeaux blends from Tuscany
• Emphasis on local varieties
• Great commercial success of Pinot Grigio and Prosecco

Question 4

Between what latitudes is Italy located and what is the resulting climate?

Answer 4

• 35-47°N
• Huge range of climates from continental to mediterranean

Question 5

What hast changed in vineyard management since WWII?

Answer 5

• Nearly complete change from traditional forms of grape growing to modern, specialized vineyards with vines on trellises
• Pergola and bush vines are still used in some places

Question 6

What are the top 5 varieties? (in descending order)

Answer 6

• Sangiovese
• Pinot Grigio (w)
• Trebbiano (w)
• Glera (w)
• Montepulciano

Question 7

What were the trends regarding use of oak?

Answer 7

• Traditionally, large oak casks
• Influence from France lead to use of Franch barriques
• Nowadays, trend back to larger casks, except for some high-quality Bordeaux blends

Question 8

What wine laws exist?

Answer 8

• Vino da tavola (wide range of wines)
• Later, IGT was introduced
• DOC certain winemaking rules (like PDO)
• DOCG stricter rules (like PDO)

Question 9

What labeling terms are defined within DOC/DOCG?

Answer 9

• Classico – grapes grown exclusively within a DOC or DOCG
• Superiore – higher min alc levels
• Riserva – certain ageing period (>2y for red, >1 year for whites)

Question 10

How does the volume produced compare to other nations?

Answer 10

Largest wine producing nation (close in front of France)

Question 11

What is the avg. size of vineyard holdings and what does that mean?

Answer 11

• < 2 ha
• Many growers sell to co-ops
• Co-op “Caviro” processes 10% of all grapes

Question 12

How much is exported, what is the trend and what are the most important export markets?

Answer 12

• 40%
• As domestic consumption dropped, exports have become more important
• USA, Germany, UK