Italy - Piemonte Flashcards
Describe the basic geography of Piemonte
Surrounded on three sides by the Apennines and the Alps
Po river flows westward through the region - main growing areas are south of the Po Valley
In which provinces are most of Piemonte’s grapes grown?
Asti
Alessandia
Cuneo
What are the main hills of the wine growing area of Piemonte?
Langhe
Monferrato
Describe the weather of Piemonte
Continental
Dry - in the rain shadow of the Alps
Autumn hail
Morning fog (nebbia)
What does ‘sorí’ mean?
Prized vineyards with southern exposure
Apart from the ‘big three’ name seven indigeneous red grape varieties of Piemonte
Brachetto Croatina Freisa Grignolino Pelaverga Ruchè Vespolina
Name five indigenous white grapes of Piemonte
Moscato Bianco (Muscat á Petit Grains) Arneis Cortese Erbaluce Favorita (Vermentino)
In which province are Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG located?
Cuneo
In how many communes can Barolo DOCG be produced?
Eleven
What are the five main communes of Barolo DOCG
La Morra Barolo Castigione Falletto Serralunga d'Alba Monforte d'Alba
How much of Barolo DOCG’s demarcated land is within the main five communes?
90%
Which of the five main communes of Barolo DOCG are known for ‘softer’ styles?
Barolo
La Morra
Which of the five main communes of Barolo DOCG are known for ‘firmer’ styles?
Serralunga d’Alba
Monforte d’Alba
What is the soil type of the commune of Barolo?
Tortonian - calcareous marl
What is the soil type of the commune of La Morra?
Tortonian - calcareous marl
What is the soil type of the commune of Monforte d’Alba?
Serravallian sandstone
Less fertile
This used to be called Helvetican.
Helvetican is the name used to group together Serravallian and Langhien geologial formations, but these are actually from different ages
What is the soil type of the commune of Serralunga d’Alba?
Serravallian sandstone
Less fertile
This used to be called Helvetican.
Helvetican is the name used to group together Serravallian and Langhien geologial formations, but these are actually from different ages
Along which river are Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG located?
Tanaro
The river divides the Langhe from the Roero
What are the ‘other’ communes of Barolo DOCG?
Diano d'Alba Novello Verduno Grinzane Cavour Cherasco Roddi
What is Barolo DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive
A Barolo wine from one of the designated ‘cru’ - defined in 2010
What is Barolo DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive + Vigna
A Barolo wine from one of the designated ‘cru’ plus 100% of the grapes must come from a named vineyard
What is the denominazione for a Barolo wine that comes from one of the designated ‘cru’ plus 100% of the grapes must come from a named vineyard.
Barolo DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive + Vigna
What styles of wine can be produced in Barolo DOCG?
All red, all 100% nebbiolo
Barolo DOCG
Barolo Riserva DOCG
Barolo DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive
Barolo DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive + Vigna
Barolo Chinato
What is the elevation requirements for the planting of nebbiolo in Barolo DOCG?
170-540m asl
Older plantings are permitted outside of this but new plantings cannot be made
Can nebbiolo be planted on slopes of any aspect in Barolo DOCG?
No - it is prohibited to plant on completely north facing slopes.
What are the aging requirements of Barolo DOCG? How and when did this change?
38 months total aging, 18 months of which is in wood
In 2010, aging requirements changed, reducing 2 years in wood (from a total of 3 years aging) to 18 months in wood (with a total of 38 months aging)
What are the aging requirements of Barolo Riserva DOCG?
62 months total aging, 18 months of which is in wood
Name three producers of Barolo associated with the ‘modernist’ movement that started in the 1980s
Elio Altare
Luciano Sandrone
Paolo Scavino
Aldo Conterno
Name three producers of Barolo associated with the ‘traditionalist’ movement during the 1980s
Giacomo Conterno
Bartolo Mascarello
Giuseppe Rinaldi
Who is the most iconic producer of Barolo Chinato DOCG?
Cappellano
What are the three main communes of Barbaresco DOCG?
Nieve
Barbaresco
Treiso (a frazione/hamlet within Barbaresco)
A small part of Alba is also allowed, San Rocco Senodelvio
When did the Consorzio enshrine the cru of Barbaresco DOCG?
2007
When did the Consorzio enshrine the cru of Barolo DOCG?
2010
What is the aging requirements for Barbaresco DOCG?
Minimum 26 months, with at least 9 months in wood
What styles of wine can be ,ade in Barbaresco?
All red, all 100% nebbiolo
Barbaresco DOCG
Barbaresco Riserva DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive
Barbaresco DOCG + Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive + Vigna
What is the minimum alcohol requirement for Barbaresco DOCG?
12.5%
What is the aging requirements for Barbaresco Riserva DOCG?
Minimum 50 months, with at least 9 months in wood
Name three significant Barbaresco DOCG cru
Asili - covers a full 360°C aspect
Martinenga - one of the most famous sites
Rabaja - two sections, one south facing, one south east
Ovello - largest cru in Barbaresco
Montestefano - southern exposure
Name three significant Barolo DOCG cru
Cannubi - most prestigious cru in Barolo, whole hillside, sandier soils, many aspects and sub-vineyards
Brunate - La Morra/Barolo, southern exposure
Rocche dell’Annunziata - La Morra, south east facing, well regarded
Bussia - Monforte, nearly 300ha with many sub-vineyards
Monprivato - Castiglione Falletto, made famous by Mascarello, disput over boundaries
Vigna Rionda - Serralunga, famed south facing vineyard
Francia - Serralunga, a monopole of Giacomo Conterno
When were Barbaresco DOC and Barolo DOC established? When were they elevated to DOCG?
DOC - 1966
DOCG - 1980
Yields for Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG?
56 hl/ha
What is the soil type of Barbaresco DOCG
Tortonian calcareous marl
Where is Barbaresco DOCG located in relation to Barolo DOCG?
North east, along the Tanaro river
Which appellation encompasses the area of Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG, plus some extra land around them?
Langhe DOC
Which styles of wine can be made in Langhe DOC?
White White + Variety White Passito Rosato Red Red + Variety Red Passito
What percentage must be included to make a Langhe DOC wine with varietal labelling?
85% of that variety
15% of other approved varieties of the same colour.
Which grape varieties are allowed for Langhe DOC?
Arneis/Arneis Passito Chardonnay Favorita Nascetta/Nascetta del Commune di Novello Riesling Rossese Bianco Sauvignon Blanc
Barbera Cabernet Sauvignon Dolcetto/Dolcetto Novello Freisa/Freisa Frizzante Merlot Nebbiolo Pinot Nero
Where is Roero DOCG?
On the northern bank of the Tanaro, north of Alba
What styles of wine are made in Roero DOCG?
Lighter examples of Nebbiolo (min 95%) - sandy soils
Arneis (min 95%) - Arneis Spumante can also be made
Which two appellations are in the hills north of the Po River?
Ghemme DOCG
Gattinara DOCG
What is the river on which Ghemme DOCG and Gattinara are located?
Sesia
What is the DOC of the area around Gattinara and Ghemme?
Coste della Sesia
What does MGA relate to with regard to Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG?
Menzioni Geografiche Aggiuntive
A cru
What is the synonym for nebbiolo in the north of Piemonte?
Spanna
Which grape varieties are allowed for Gattinara DOCG?
Spanna (Nebbiolo) - minimum 90%
Vespolina
Bonarda di Gattinara
Which grape varieties are allowed for Ghemme DOCG?
Spanna (Nebbiolo) - minimum 85%
Vespolina
Uva Rara (Bonarda Novarese)
What are three other DOCs of northern Piemonte known for red wines made from nebbiolo>
Lessona DOC - near Ghemme
(85% Nebbiolo/Vespolina/Uva Rara)
Sizzano DOC - near Ghemme
(50-70% Nebbiolo, 30-50% Vespolina&Uva Rara, up to 10% other red grapes of the region)
Carema DOC - near Valle d’Aosta
(85-100% Nebbiolo, up to 15% other red grapes of the region)
