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Master Sommelier Theory 2025 > Italy NE: Lombardy, Friuli, Alto Adige, Veneto > Flashcards

Italy NE: Lombardy, Friuli, Alto Adige, Veneto Flashcards

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Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards
1
Q

List 5 producers from Friuli

A

Miani
Livio Felluga
Mario Schiopetto
Ronchi di Cialla

Gravner
Radikon

+ Amaro Nonnino is made here

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2
Q

Main white grapes Friuli-Venezia-Giulia?

A

Pinot Grigio
Pinot Bianco
Chardonnay
Sauvignon (SB)
Friulano (formerly Tocai Friulano, also ‘Tai’)
Malvasia
Ribolla Gialla

Picolit
Verduzzo Gialla (Ramandolo)

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3
Q

Main red grapes Friuli-Venezia-Giulia?

A

Schioppettino
Merlot
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Refosco
Terrano
Pignolo

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4
Q

What are the appellations for passito sweet wines in Friuli?

A

Ramandolo DOCG - wines from Ramandolo/ Verduzzo Gialla

Colli Orientali del Friuli-Picolit DOCG - wines from Picolit

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5
Q

Who is credited with bringing back Schioppettino from near extinction?

A

Ronchi di Cialla

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6
Q

List two appellations that require Friulano in Friuli?

A

Rosazzo DOCG
Lison DOCG

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7
Q

What are the major white wine DOCs in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia?

A

Collio DOC
Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC
Grave del Friuli DOC (lots of production)

Prosecco extends here

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8
Q

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG- grapes? Subzones?

A

subzone: Cartizze

grapes: min 85% Glera

Maximum 15% combined Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga
Maximum 15% combined Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine), Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (for Spumante wines only)

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9
Q

What are still wines from Franciacorta released as? What grapes are allowed there?

A

Curtefranca DOC

Bianco:
Min. 50% Chardonnay, Max. 50% combined Pinot Nero and/or Pinot Bianco

Rosso:
Min. 25% Merlot; Min. 20% Cabernet Franc and/or Carmenère; 10-35% Cabernet Sauvignon
Max. 15% other red grapes suitable for production in Lombardia

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10
Q

Which producers spearheaded modern sparkling wines in Lombardy?

A

Guido Berlucchi, and Maruizio Zanella (of Ca’Del Bosco) in early 1960s

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11
Q

What are the allowed grapes for Franciacorta DOCG?

A

Chardonnay, Pinot Nero
max 50% Pinot Bianco
max 10% Erbamat

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12
Q

Which grapes are allowed in production of Franciacorta Saten DOCG?

A

Chardonnay and max 50% Pinot Bianco

max 5 atmospheres

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13
Q

How is Franciacorta rose made?

A

by blending, rather than saignée

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14
Q

How does Franciacorta differ from Champagne in terms of vintage labelling?

A

Franciacorta only requires 85% of the grapes to be harvested in stated year.

Champagne is 100%

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15
Q

What are the two DOCG for sparkling wines in Lobardia?

A

Franciacorta
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico

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16
Q

What is the dominant grape in Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG?

A

Pinot Nero is min 70% of blend
NV: 15 months on lees
Vintage: 2 years on lees

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17
Q

What are the subzones of Valtellina Superiore DOCG?

A

Valgella
Inferno
Grumello
Sassella
Maroggia

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18
Q

How are Valtellina Superiore wines labelled if bottled in Switzerland?

A

Stagafassli

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19
Q

Which grapes are allowed for Valtellina Superiore?

A

min 90% Chiavennasca

The most commonly used “other” grapes are Rossola, Pignola and Brugnola (the local name for Fortana)

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20
Q

What is the dried grape wine made in Valtellina?

A

Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG - style similar to recioto, made from Nebbiolo. Min 14% alcohol, min 2 years aging. The wine is dry

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21
Q

Sweet red wine DOCG in Lombardy?

A

(in Bergamo, to the West of Franciacorta, in Lombardia)

Moscato di Scanzo - a sweet passito red wine, made from red moscato grapes. min 2 years aging, but NOT in wood.

50-100 g residual sugar

Often bottled in a 500ml futura

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22
Q

List the DOCG of Lombardia

A

Franciacorta
Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico
Moscato di Scanzo (Scanzo)
Valtellina Superiore
Sforzato di Valtellina

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23
Q

How long is Franciacorta aged?

A

Minimum 18 months on the lees after tirage (not starting before February 1 of the year following the harvest), 25 months total from the date of harvest

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24
Q

How long are Franciacorta Saten and rosé aged?

A

Minimum 24 months on the lees after tirage (not starting before February 1 of the year following the harvest), 31 months total from the date of harvest. Both styles may also be Millesimato or Riserva.

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25
Q

How long is Franciacorta Millesimato aged?

A

Minimum 30 months on the lees after tirage (not starting before February 1 of the year following the harvest), 37 months total from the date of harvest

millesimato = vintage

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26
Q

How long is Franciacorta Riserva aged?

A

Minimum 60 months on the lees after tirage (not starting before February 1 of the year following the harvest), 67 months total from the date of harvest

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27
Q

What sweetness levels may Franciacorta Saten be?

A

Brut only!

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28
Q

What sweetness levels may Franciacorta Millesimato be?

A

Dosaggio Zero, Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry

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29
Q

What sweetness levels may Franciacorta Riserva be?

A

Dosaggio Zero, Extra Brut, Brut

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30
Q

Franciacorta soil types?

A

Moraine, limestone and volcanic material

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31
Q

On which river are most of Valtellina’s vineyards planted? What is the topography like there?

A

Adda River, which begins in the Swiss Alps and flows from east to west before emptying into Lake Como.

vines are on the north bank of the river. steep, mountainous terrain, vineyards are generally planted between 300 and 800 meters

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32
Q

Describe the soils of Valtellina

A

schist, sandy-loam, alluvial deposits from the Adda River, with good drainage.

They are low in nutrients and extremely acidic, with a low pH, compared with the alkaline soils of the Langhe

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33
Q

Valtellina Superiore- aging for normale? riserva?

A

Normale: min 2 years, including 1 year in wood

Riserva: min 3 years

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34
Q

Describe the geography of Franciacorta

A

Franciacorta is an amphitheater of morainic hills bordered by Lake Iseo to the north, the Oglio River on the west, and Mount Orfano to the south.

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35
Q

Major bodies of water in Lombardia?

A

Lakes Como, Iseo, Maggiore and Garda

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36
Q

What Swiss region lies to the north of Lombardia?

A

Ticino

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37
Q

Amari made in Lombardy?

A

Zucca Rabarbaro
Campari
Amaro Braulio (Campari Group)
Fernet-Branca
Amaro Ramazotti (Pernod Ricard)

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38
Q

What is the most planted grape in Lombardy? What is it’s designated DOC?

A

Croatina, locally called Bonarda

Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC- min 85% Croatina
red + frizzante

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39
Q

Which lake is closest to Franciacorta?

A

Lake Iseo

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40
Q

Lugana DOC- where is it? Grapes and styles?

A

Lombardy, near lake Garda. Shared with Veneto

white:

Minimum 90% Turbiana/Trebbiano di Lugana (different from Trebbiano di Soave)

maximum 10% other

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41
Q

What are morogne?

A

In Veneto- stone walls used to mark vineyard boundaries

42
Q

Describe the topography of Valpolicella- altitude? Soil type?

A

Vineyards planted on the slopes of the Lessini mountains, between 150-500 meters

red and brown calcareous material and volcanic tuff outcrops, known as toar, on the hillsides

alluvial deposits from the Adige River and Lessini Mountains in the lower areas

43
Q

Valpolicella subzones?

A

Classico Zone: (Fumane, Negrar, Marano, Sant’Ambrogio and San Pietro in Cariano)

Valpantena

The Lessini Mountains form a natural barrier sheltering the Classico subzone from cold winds blowing from the north, creating a warmer microclimate. The Classico subzone is farthest west and closest to Lake Garda.

44
Q

Valpolicella Classico producers

A

Allegrini, Masi, Quintarelli, and Bussola

45
Q

How are Corvina vines typically trained?

A

pergola veronese- Corvina is sensitive to humidity, botrytis, and sunburn, so it is trained in a horizontal canopy that shades the grapes and raises them high off the ground, providing good aeration and sun protection.

46
Q

Corvina vs Corvinone- why may producers use more Corvinone now?

A

Corvinone has larger clusters, more tannin and structure. does better in warmer vintages, so as of 2019 is is now allowed up to 95% of the blend for Valpolicella wines

Corvina performs best on hillsides, but Corvinon is fine on hills or flatter land

47
Q

Grapes allowed in all 4 Valpolicella appellations

A

45%–95% Corvina and/or Corvinone
5%–30% Rondinella.
Up to 25% other red grapes, no single variety exceeding 10%.

Traditional blending partners: Molinara, Oseleta, Croatina, Dindarella, Spigamonti, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

same for all: Valpolicella DOC, Valpo Ripasso, Recioto della Valpo, Amarone della Valpo

48
Q

How long are grapes dried for Recioto and Amarone? Where are they dried?

A

generally 100-120 days (but minimum until Dec 1), in a room called a fruttaio. The grapes may be on traditional bamboo mats, called arele, stacked in wooden crates, or hung from the ceiling, all of which permit airflow and ventilation for drying.

49
Q

Amarone della Valpolicella - how much residual sugar is allowed?

A

There is a maximum of 9 grams of residual sugar per liter for 14% alcohol wines (reduced from 12 grams per liter in 2019)

as alcohol goes up: 0.1% grams per liter of sugar for each 0.1% increase in alcohol up to 16%.

and 0.15% grams per liter for every 0.1% in alcohol above 16%

50
Q

How long is Amarone aged?

A

Normale: min 2 years
Riserva: min 4 years

51
Q

Describe the ripasso process

A

after Amarone or Recioto are finished fermenting, the leftover pomace, which has some remaining sugars, is added to a young Valpolicella wine to start refermentation—something akin to the traditional governo in Tuscany.

The ripasso process provides additional body, tannin, and alcohol as well as some of the richness, complexity, and raisinated fruit character of Amarone but at a lower price point for the consumer.

52
Q

Soave DOC- where is it? Grapes?

A

In Veneto, just east of Verona

min 70% Garganega, max 30% combined Trebbiano di Soave (the local biotype of Verdicchio) & Chardonnay, max 5% other

mostly still, but spumante allowed

53
Q

Subzones of Soave DOC?

A

In Veneto

Colli Scaligeri (hillsides outside the Classico zone)

Classico (part of the communes of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone)

54
Q

Soave Producers

A

Pieropan (La Rocca, Calvarino)
Inama
Gini Contrada

55
Q

What is Recioto di Soave?

A

DOCG for dried grape wine made from min 70% Garganega (same grapes allowed as Soave)

grapes dried to min 14% abv
min 70 g/L residual sugar

may also be sparkling

56
Q

Describe the soil types of Soave

A

Western side: more calcareous marls with higher limestone content, producing wines that are more refined, delicate, and intensely floral

Eastern side: volcanic soils rich in basalt and tuff, and its wines tend to be more powerful, structured, and spicy

57
Q

What are the 2 main communes of production in Soave?

A

Soave, Monteforte d’Alpone (there are more)

Sub zones: Classico and Colli Scaligeri

58
Q

What kind of wine is Gambellara? Where is this from?

A

Gambellara DOC is in central Veneto - Garganega based whites.
Still, sparkling, and vin santo

also Recioto di Gambellara DOC for dried grape wine

59
Q

What is torcolato? In which DOC is it made?

A

sweet, dried grape wine from the Veneto.

Breganze DOC allows for torcolato from 100% Vespaiolo (white grape)

Torcolato comes from the Italian torcolare, meaning “to twist,” as the grape clusters are wound together with twine and suspended to dry

Maculan is a producer

60
Q

List 3 “super Venetians”

A

Quintarelli’s Alzero: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, aged in a combination of French and Slavonian oak

Maculan’s Palazzotto: Cabernet Sauvignon and Crosara Merlot, both aged in French barriques

Allegrini’s La Poja: 100% Corvina

61
Q

What is Italy’s top producing DOC?

A

Prosecco

also the leading sparkling wine in the world

62
Q

What are the three varieties of Glera?

A

Glera, Glera Lunga, and Glera Tondo

63
Q

How is Prosecco fermented?

A

Charmat Method

known as Metodo Martinotti locally

64
Q

What grapes are allowed in Prosecco?

A

min 85% Glera,

and the remaining 15% can be Verdiso, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Chardonnay, Perera, Glera Lunga, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero

65
Q

What styles of Prosecco are allowed? Sweetness levels?

A

Prosecco (Tranquillo), Spumante, Frizzante, and Spumante Rosé

brut nature to demi-sec

66
Q

What is the term for Prosecco fermented in the bottle?

A

rifermentazione in bottiglia, and a bottle-fermented wine may have a velatura, or a veil of haziness

67
Q

How may a pet-nat style Prosecco be labeled?

A

sui lieviti (on yeasts) or
col fondo (with the bottom)

both are made in a style similar to a pét-nat, in which the lees remain in the bottle without riddling or disgorgement, producing a rustic, cloudy, more autolytic style of Prosecco.

68
Q

Describe the geographical differences between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano

A

Valdobbiadene in the west, is cooler and steeper at higher altitudes, where the wines tend to be more floral and perfumed. Valdobbiadene soils are mostly marls and conglomerates, with excellent drainage on the steep slopes.

Conegliano in the east- is warmer and lower, and the wines tend to be fuller bodied and spicier. Conegliano soils are mainly morainic or clay

69
Q

What is a rive in terms of Prosecco?

A

a labelling term, may be on spumante wines but not sui lieviti. Rive refers to hillside vineyards or riverbank slopes, but these are larger areas or districts—more like contrade or MGAs

Of the 43 rive, 12 are for entire communes and 31 are for frazioni, which are neighborhoods or hamlets within a commune.

The grapes must be hand harvested and vintage dated, and min 11.5% abv.

70
Q

List 3 rive in Prosecco

A

in Conegliano Valdobbiadene- Col San Martino, Colbertaldo di Vidor, Farra di Soligo, Ogliano, Pieve di Soligo, and Soligo.

71
Q

Where is Cartizze? Subzones? Other requirements

A

prestigious Prosecco subzone, near town of Valdobbiadene. unnoficial subzones:

  • Cartizze Alto, with the highest and steepest vineyards, at about 230 to 320 m (750 to 1050 ft)
  • Cartizze Est (east)
  • Cartizze Ovest (west) below, at between 180 and 230 meters (590 and 750 feet)

min 11.5%

72
Q

What italian region is across the border from Goriška Brda?

A

In Friuli - Collio Goriziano

(Goriska Brda is Slovenia)

73
Q

What Italian region is across the border from Kras?

A

In Friuli- Carso

(Kras is Slovenia)

74
Q

What do collio and brda refer to?

A

both mean hills, in Italian and Slovak

75
Q

Describe the geography, climate, and soils of Friuli

A

southern Friuli is planted, in the Julian Alps foothills and plains (the north is too cold and mountainous)

moderated by cool mountain air, and warm currents off the Adriatic. rainiest region in italy - 1000 mm / 39 inches of rain annually.

Judrio river

gravelly and well draining soils are important

76
Q

what is the most prized soil type in Friuli?

A

ponca, a friable sedimentary rock with alternating layers of marl and sandstone

77
Q

What are the top planted grapes in Friuli?

A

Pinot Grigio, Glera, Merlot, and Friulano

78
Q

Subzones of Friuli Colli Orientali DOC?

A

Cialla, Ribolla Gialla di Rosazzo, Pignolo di Rosazzo, Schioppettino di Prepotto, Refosco di Faedis

79
Q

Where is Rosazzo DOCG? What grapes are allowed?

A

in Friuli. White blends

Min. 50% Friulano (Tai)
20-30% Sauvignon Blanc
20-30% Pinot Bianco and/or Chardonnay
Max. 10% Ribolla
Max. 5% other white varieties suitable for cultivation in Udine

80
Q

What is a synonym for Friulano in Friuli?

A

Tai
Sauvignon Vert
Sauvignonasse
Tocai Friulano

81
Q

What does ronco refer to on Friulan wine labels?

A

terraced, hillside vineyard. plural is ronchi

82
Q

Where in Italy was orange wine first made? by whom?

A

in Oslavia, in Collio Goriziano, in Friuli. It borders Slovenia.

1996- hail destroyed much of the crop, so Josko Gravner experimented with what he had, using skin contact.

83
Q

What are the communes of production in Valpolicella Classico? Subzone?

A

Subzone: Valpantena

Communes: Sant’Ambrogio di Valpolicella, Fumane, San Pietro in Cariano, Marano, and Negrar.

84
Q

Alto Adige DOC- subzones

A

Colli di Bolzano (Bozner Leiten)*
Meranese / Meranese di Collina *(Meraner / Meraner Hügel)
Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalener) *Santa Maddalena Classico
Terlano (Terlaner) and Terlano Classico
Valle Isarco (Eisacktal)
Valle Venosta (Vinschgau)

known for Varietal Schiava

the river here is the ADIGE

85
Q

% of harvest that can be used for Amarone

A

No more than 65% of a producer’s total maximum yield can be used to produce Amarone (the remainder may be used for Valpolicella DOC or Valpolicella Ripasso DOC)

85
Q

Warm wind that blows off Lake Garda?

A

Ora del Garda

86
Q

Valle Isarco

A

Eisecktaler
*northernmost vineyard area of Italy
*Soils: rocky, dominated by slate and schist with inclusions of quartz and mica.

87
Q

Valle Isarco

A

Eisecktaler in German. northernmost vineyards in Italy, and highest elevation vineyards in Alto Adige

  • cool climate
  • varietal bianco: Kerner, MT, PG, Riesling, Sylvaner, Traminer Aromatico, Veltliner
  • varietal rosso: Klausner Lataicher: Schiava, Portoghese, Lagrein, Pinot - any proportion

rocky soils, dominated by slate and schist with inclusions of quartz and mica.

88
Q

Valle Venosta

A

soils: sandy with high content of schist rocks
cool and dry. Lower elevation/valley plantings

Varietal Bianco
Schiava
Varietal Pinot Nero Mazon, Glen are 2 important sites.

89
Q

Kretzer

A

Local name for Trentino ROSÉ: min 2 varieties - neither more than 70%
1. Lagrein
2. Schiava
3. Enantio
4. Teroldego

elsewhere, Kretzer may just refer to rosé

90
Q

Scelto

A

Lago di Caldaro / Kalterersee DOC
*Schiava
*“Normale”, Classico, Classico Superiore
*Scelto = Choice = Auslese
*Not specific to Alto Adige - also used in Colli del Trasimeno in Umbria
*use on labels in based on ABV. So really it is just a riper Schiava designation

91
Q

Alto Adige climate / geography

A

continental, planted up to 1000 meters (3300 ft)

Alps block cold winds from N
Lake Garda and Mediterranean - warm breezes

92
Q

Kerner

A

cross of Riesling and Schiava Grossa

Valle Isarco, Alto Adige

93
Q

Alto Adige producers

A

Cantina Terlano
Cantina Tramin Kellerei
Foradori
Tiefenbrunner

94
Q

Klausner Laitacher

A

a red blend featuring any proportions of Schiava, Pinot Nero, Lagrein, and/or Portoghese (Portugieser)

Valle Isarco, Alto Adige

95
Q

Alto Adige winery

A

Abbazia di Novacella- making wine sine 1142. Kloster Neustift in German. one of oldest active wineries in the world

96
Q

Alto Adige most planted grapes

A

Chardonnay
PG

Sciava
Lagrein

97
Q

Teroldego

A

native red grape in Trentino. deep colored and fruity. Foradori is a producer

features in Teroldego Rotaliano DOC- 100% may be rose (Kretzer) or red (rubino)

98
Q

Trentino DOC

A

Blanco: Chard / PB
Rosso: 100% CS, Merlot, or CF
Rosato (kretzer) blend
+ varietal wines
Vino Santo: Nosiola 85%

99
Q

Trento DOC

A

also Trentodoc

traditional method sparkling, white / rose.

Chard, PG, PN, PM

up to 900m elevation in the Dolomites- rich in limestone and silica, excellent drainage. elevation provides wide diurnal shift

Giulio Ferrari producer

100
Q

Schiava

A

Trentino-Alto Adige, aka Trollinger

Grosso, Gentile, Grigia varietals

Alois Lageder, Elena Walch, Markus Prackwiesser Gump Hof

Master Sommelier Theory 2025 (57 decks)

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