Italy: Piedmont Flashcards
What is the major river that runs through Piedmont?
Po River
What is the climate of Piedmont?
Continental
What are the major geographical features that affect Piedmont?
Po River Valley
Tanaro River
Alps (rain shadow)
Apennine Mtns.
Langhe Hills
What are the three major white grapes found in Piedmont?
Arneis
Cortese
Moscato
What is the local name for Nebbiolo in Ghemme and Gattinara?
Spanna
What are the major red grapes found in Piedmont?
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Dolcetto
Brachetto
What are the major soil types found in Barolo DOCG?
Sandstone
Clay
What grape variety is Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG known for?
Nebbiolo
What is the difference between Roero DOCG and Roero Arneis DOCG?
Roero DOCG produces red wines from Nebbiolo
Roero Arneis DOCG produces white wines from Arneis
What style of wine and what grape are made in Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG?
Off -dry, semi-sparkling red wines from the Brachetto grape
What is the difference between Asti DOCG and Moscato d’Asti DOCG?
Asti DOCG makes sparkling wine from Moscato
Moscato d’Asti DOCG makes off dry, semi-sparkling wines from Moscato
What style of wine is made in Gavi DOCG?
From what grape?
Dry white wines
Cortese
What style of wine is made in Barbera d’Asti DOCG?
From what grape?
Dry red wines
Barbera
What style of wine is made in Alta Langa DOCG?
From what grapes?
Traditional method sparkling wines
Pinot Noir
Chardonnay
What style of wine is made in Ghemme DOCG?
From what grape?
Dry red wines
Nebbiolo (locally known as Spanna)
What style of wine is made in Gattinara DOCG?
From what grape?
Dry red wines
Nebbiolo (locally known as Spanna)
What are the aging requirements for Barolo DOCG?
Min. 18 months in oak
Min. 38 months total
What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco DOCG?
Min. 9 months in oak
Min. 26 months total
What is the Nebbia?
A fog that rolls off the foothills of the Alps
Define the term: Sorí
Best site (privileged site)
Name three of the top Barolo Vineyards.
Brunate
Cannubi
Monprivato
Bussia
Name three of the top Barbaresco Vineyards.
Ovello
Pora
Asili
Montestefano
Rio Sordo
Moccagatta
Rabaja
What is the difference between Normale and Riserva wines in Barolo and Barbaresco?
Aging requirements
Barolo requires 62 months of total aging before release, as opposed to the normale 38 months. Same oak requirement of 18 months.
Barbaresco requires 50 months aging total before release, as opposed to the normale 26 months. Same oak requirement of 9 months.
Name three major Barolo Producers
Altare
Rinaldi
Vietti
Giacomo Conterno
Bruno Giacosa
Ceretto
Sandrone
Giuseppe Mascarello
Name three major Barbaresco producers
Produttori del Barbaresco
Gaja
La Spinetta
Vietti
Bruno Giacosa
Ceretto
Over the last 10 years, what are the best vintages in Barolo and Barbaresco?
2010
2013
2016
‘19, ‘20, & ‘21 were very good as well, but not quite 5/5 stars.
What type of barrels are used in Barolo and Barbaresco?
Large Slavonian oak barrels called Botti
Elaborate on the difference between Traditionalists and Modernists in Barolo.
Traditionalists favor
- longer maceration times
- stem inclusion
- large open top fermenters
- no temp. control
The end result was an austere wine that required many years of aging.
Modernists favor
- shorter maceration times
- more destemming
- lower yields
- French barriques
- Rotary fermenters
The end result being a softer and rounder wine that could be enjoyed much younger.
