Italy - North Western

Question 1

What is the climate in North western Italy?

Answer 1

Continental climate

Question 2

What regions are considered North-western Italy?

Answer 2

Valle d'Aosta
Piemonte
Liguera
Lombardia (Lombardy)
Emilia-Romagna
Toscano (Tuscany)

Question 3

What does Piemonte translate into?

Answer 3

Foot of the Mountain

Question 4

What mountain ranges surround the Piemonte region?

Answer 4

To the North and West - Alps

To the south the Apennies

Question 5

What are the two important White varietals in Piemonte?

Answer 5

Moscato & Cortese

Question 6

What is Moscato known as everywhere else?

Answer 6

Muscat

Question 7

What is the grape permitted in Gavi DOCG?

Answer 7

Cortese

Question 8

What are the two DOCG’s responsible for top quality Moscato production?

Answer 8

Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Asti DOCG

Question 9

What is the difference between Moscato d’Asti DOCG & Asti DOCG?

Answer 9

Asti is less sweet, higher in Alcohol and more carbonated than Moscato d’Asti.

Question 10

How is Moscato d’Asti and Asti wines made?

Answer 10

They are made through the Charmat method. Wines are fermented in pressurised tanks, once the desired sweetness is achieved the wine is rapidly chilled before fining, filtering and bottling.

The fermentation for Asti DOCG wines last linger, hence the % and the carbonation.

Asti DOCG wines are bottled with large corks and cages

While Moscato d’Asti DOCG wines are bottled in standard wine bottles.

Question 11

What is the DOCG for Cortese?

Answer 11

Gavi DOCG

Question 12

What River flows through Piemonte?

Answer 12

River Po

Question 13

What is the most important red grape in Piemonte?

Answer 13

Nebbiolo

Question 14

How many DOCG’s are there for 100% Nebbiolo?

Answer 14

There are 5 DOCG’s for Nebbiolo in Piemonte

Question 15

What are the 5 DOCG’s for Nebbiolo in Piemonte?

Answer 15

Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG
Gattinara DOCG
Ghemme DOCG
Ruero DOCG

Question 16

Where is Barolo DOCG Located?

Answer 16

Barolo is located southwest of Alba in the hills of an area known as Langhe.
It measures only 7 miles long and 5 miles wide.

Question 17

What is the minimum ageing requirement for Barolo DOCG?

Answer 17

Minimum of Three years before release, two of those must be in oak.

Question 18

What is the difference between Barbaresco DOCG and Barolo DOCG?

Answer 18

Barbaresco DOCG is located North of Alba, the wines produced in this appellation are also made from 100% Nebbiolo but more temperate climate result in wines with softer tannins, less structure and more fruit than Barolo DOCG.

Barbaresco is often described to be more feminine.

Question 19

Besides Nebbiolo what two other red grapes are planted in Piemonte?

Answer 19

Dolcetto

Barbera

Question 20

What are the two DOCG’s for Dolcetto?

Answer 20

Dolcetto di Dogliani DOCG

Dolcetto di Ovada DOCG

Question 21

What is the main grape of Tuscany?

Answer 21

Sangiovese

Question 22

What is the climate in Tuscany?

Answer 22

Temperate to warm with Mediterranean influences.

Question 23

What are the three colonial names for Sangiovese in Tuscany?

Answer 23

Brunello - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Prugnolo - Vino nobile di Montepulciano

Morellino - Morellino di Scansano

Question 24

What is Sangiovese’s main blending grapes in Tuscany?

Answer 24

Cabernet Sauvignon

Canaiolo

Question 25

How many DOCG’s is Tuscany home to?

Answer 25

6

Question 26

What is the difference between chianti DOCG and Chianti Classico DOCG?

Answer 26

Chianto DOCG is a region that stretches over 40 miles from Florence in the north to Siena.
Chianti classico DOCG is a small area with in chianti DOCG, wine making practices are more restricted with in Chianti classico DOCG resulting in more complex and intense wines.

Question 27

What symbol with chianti classico wines have on their bottles?

Answer 27

Gallo Negro ‘Black rooster”

Question 28

What is the best DOCG for Sangiovese?

Answer 28

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG