ITALY / NORTH - Piemonte

Question 1

What type of climate does Piedmonte have?

Answer 1

Mild continental climate

Question 2

What mountain ranges enclose Piedmonte?

Answer 2

The Alps and the Apennines

Question 3

What is the river that runs through Piedmonte?

Answer 3

Po River

Question 4

What elevation range is optimal for Piedmonte’s prized vineyards?

Answer 4

150-450m

Question 5

What aspect is known for the most sunlight exposure in Piedmonte?

Answer 5

S-aspect (locally known as sörì)

Question 6

What are the three main hill sites in Piedmonte?

Answer 6

• Alba (SW)
• Monferrato (SE)
• Alto Piedmonte (N)

Question 7

What is the primary grape variety in Piedmonte?

Answer 7

• Barbera and Dolcetto (2/3 planted to red grapes)
• Most important: Nebbio (10%)

Question 8

Which grape is primarily used for sparkling production in Piedmonte?

Answer 8

Moscato Bianco

Question 9

What is Barolo Chinato?

Answer 9

Fortified Barolo wine flavored with quinine

Question 10

Name 3 traditionalists

Answer 10

• Giacomo Conterno
• Bartolo Mascarello
• Giuseppe Rinaldi

Question 11

Name 3 modernists

Answer 11

• Paolo Scavino
• Luciano Sandrone
• Elio Altare

Question 12

What soil types are predominant in Barolo?

Answer 12

• Serravalian (Helvetian): alternating layers of sand; sandstone; sandy marl & rich in calcium carbonate
• Tortonian: blue-grey marl and higher clay content

Question 13

What are the 5 main comuni of Barolo?

Answer 13

From most delicate to richest:
* La Morra
* Barolo
* Monforte d’Alba
* Castiglione Faletto
* Serralunga d’Alba

La Morra & Barolo: Tortonian
Monforte; Castiglione Falleto & Serralunga: Serravalian

Question 14

What are the aging requirements for Barolo?

Answer 14

• Normale: min. 38 months total, with min. 18 months in oak
• Riserva: min. 62 months total. with min. 18 months in oak

must be 100% Nebb

Question 15

How many communes can Barbaresco be split into?

Answer 15

3 communes (N->S):
* Neive
* Barbaresco
* Treiso

Question 16

What are the aging requirements for Barbaresco?

Answer 16

• Normale: min. 26 months total; with min. 9 months in oak
  (may be released after the Jan 1st of the 3rd year following harvest)
• Riserva: min. 50 months total; with min. 9 months in oak
  (may be released after Jan 1st of the 5th year following harvest)

Question 17

What is Asti known for in terms of production?

Answer 17

Power house of Piedmonte in production volume

Question 18

What method is used in the production of Asti Sparkling?

Answer 18

Charmat Method (or Martinotti method)

Question 19

Asti DOCG vs Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Answer 19

• Same delimited area
• 100% Moscato Bianco
• 6-9.5% alc. vs 4.5-6.5% alc.
• Asti is a sweet sparkling wine while Moscato d’Asti is a dessert wine that happens to be frizzante

Question 20

What is the minimum percentage of Barbera required in Barbera d’Asti DOCG?

Answer 20

Min. 90% Barbera

Question 21

What are the aging requirements for Barbera d’Asti?

Answer 21

• Normale: min. 4 months aging
• Riserva: min. 14 months total; with 6 months in oak

Question 22

What is the DOC law for wines in Roero?

Answer 22

Allows red and white:
* Red: min. 95% Nebb
* White: from Arneis

Question 23

Where is Roero located?

Answer 23

On a range of hills on the N-bank of R.Tanaro just opposite the Langhe hills.

Question 24

What is the main grape variety used in Gavi?

Answer 24

Cortese.

Question 25

What type of climate influences Gavi's winemaking?

Answer 25

Moderated continental climate due to the Ligurean sea.

Question 26

What are the soil types found in Gavi?

Answer 26

Beige iron- and magnesium-rich clays mixed with white calcareous marl and sand.

Question 27

What styles can Gavi wines be produced in?

Answer 27

Dry (tranquillo), spumante, or frizzante.

Question 28

What is the climate like in Alto Piedmonte?

Answer 28

Cool climate due to high altitude and northern latitude.

Question 29

What soil composition is found in Alto Piedmonte?

Answer 29

Acidic, well-draining glacial moraine mixed with red clay over granite bedrock.

Question 30

Which grape is favored in Alto Piedmonte?

Answer 30

Nebbiolo.

Question 31

What is the local name for Nebbiolo in Alto Piedmonte?

Answer 31

Spanna.

Question 32

What river splits the Alto Piemonte to W and E?

Answer 32

River Sesia

Question 33

What are 2 most important DOCGs in Alto-Piemonte

Answer 33

* Gattinara * Ghemme

Question 34

What is the blending requirement for Nebb in Gattinara

Answer 34

Min. 90% with max. 10% Vespolina & Bonarda

Question 35

What are the aging requirements for Gattinara DOCG?

Answer 35

* **Normale**: min. total **35 months**, with **24 months** in oak. * **Riserva**: min. total **47 months**. with **36 months** in oak

Question 36

What is the blending required in Ghemme DOCG blends?

Answer 36

Min. 85% Nebbiolo with max. 15% Vespolina and Uva Rara

Question 37

What style of wine is Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG historically known for?

Answer 37

Passito style dessert wine from 100% Erbaluce.

Question 38

What is the primary grape used in Dogliani DOCG?

Answer 38

100% Dolcetto.

Question 39

What type of wine does Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG produce?

Answer 39

Sweet spumante or frizzante reds from Brachetto.