Italy - Veneto Flashcards
What is the general climate in different parts of the region?
Warm and moderately continental, with moderate rainfall.
Cooling influences may come from altitude, exposing the vineyards in the foothills to a large diurnal range, and from breezes from Lake Garda that cool vineyards in the west.
The flat plain is affected by moist air and fog from the River Adige and the broad Po River Valley, Italys’ largest expanse of flat land, meaning spraying is necessary to combat disease and rot.
What disease has become especially prominent recently?
The trunk diseases Esca.
What is the general topography and soil types in the Veneto?
Generally very fertile, contributing to high yields, especially on the plain where the rich soils have high fertility.
Hillside sites are better suited to quality production due to a combination of better drainage and less rich soils.
What quality of wines can you find in Soave and Valpolicella? Why?
Good to outstanding, as their DOCs extend to the plains and high yields are permitted.
What is the breakdown of the top 6 varieties as a percentage of total plantings?
Glera 23%
Garganega 14%
Merlot 12%
Corvina 10%
Pinot Grigio 9%
Cabernet Sauvignon 4%
What does a lot of Merlot end up?
Inexpensive wines in the supermarket.
What is the flat, fertile plain mainly a source for?
Fruit for inexpensive, high volume brands growing international varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Cab Sauv, Chardonnay and Merlot, and for local varieties Corvina, Garganega and Trebbiano.
High yields mean these wines are usually simple and fruity. May be labelled Veneto IGP
Which DOCs can you find in the Veneto?
Valpolicella, Soave, Bardolino, Bianco di Custoza and Lugana
Where is Soave located, and what is the general topography and soils?
East of Verona.
It has two distinct parts, foothills to the north and a flat plain in the south, near the River Adige.
Hillside soils are limestone/clay and/or volcanic rocks (basalt). These soils are naturally cool.
Why does Soave produce wines with full flavour ripeness but high acidity?
The soils are cool, and this together with the influence of altitude, slows down ripening.
What is the general profile of Garganega from the plains?
As they’re planted on fertile sandy and alluvial soils, they’re fruity with medium acidity and the wines are meant to be drunk young.
Acceptable to good and inexpensive priced.
What is typical winemaking for Garganega?
Quality producers will typically employ a short cold-maceration, cool fermentation (16-18°C) and a few months of ageing on the lees before bottling. A few producers ferment or age their leading wines in oak barrels.
Where is Valpolicella located? What is the general topography and soil types?
Immediately north of Verona.
The foothills in the North of the denomination have limestone, clay or volcanic soils which are cooler than those in the south, slowing down ripening so the hrapes have more acidity and ripen more slowly (resulting in wines of greater concentration). The soils in the flatter south are gravel and sand, which is warmer. As a result, wines are fruitier with less acidity and lower concentration.
Why is pergola training suitable in Valpolicella?
The main grape is Corvina Veronese, which doesn’t fruit on the first few buds, and the shade from the pergola system prevents sunburn, which it is prone to.
The height of the pergola helps with good air circulation and reduces disease.
Studies have shown temperatures can be lower in pergola systems, but they lose more water through evaporation.
What has caused a rise in single varietal Corvina wines?
The success of Allegrinis La Poja, a concentrated barrel aged red.
