Italy - North West Flashcards
What is the general climate of Piemonte?
Moderate continental with cold winters and hot summers.
The region is protected from cold northern winds and excessive rainfall by the Alps to the north, and from weather systems coming from the Mediterranean by the Apennines.
The region can be subject to thunderstorms, hail and fog.
Late frosts can also be a threat.
Rainfall can be low in June-Sept allowing grapes to ripen and reducing the threat of fungal diseases. This rainfall increases from late Sept
Where is Nebbiolo mostly found?
The Cuneo province, especially the Langhe, but also the northern provinces of Piemonte.
Said to produce the finest, most perfumed wines on calcerous marls.
Because of its value in the market, it tends to be given the best south and SW facing sites in the Langhe that enable it to fully ripen
Why has clonal research been put into Nebbiolo?
To produce wines of deeper colour, as traditionally they were pale in intensity and quickly turned pale to garnet, even in young wines. However, some believe that the new clones have lost some aromatic intensity.
Who is a producer exemplifying massal selection? Why do they choose to do this?
Many do, but a prolific one is Gaja.
They seek wines with low vigour (increased concentration), open bunches (reduce fungal disease) and small berries (good depth of colour).
