Italy (Veneto) Flashcards
1
Q
What is the minimum RS for all three styles (spumante, passito, and dolce) for Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio?
A
50g/L
2
Q
Colli Euganei Fior d’Arancio DOCG makes tranquillo, spumante, and passito wines from what grape?
A
Moscato Giallo (min 95%)
3
Q
Lison-Pramaggiore DOC and Piave DOC are notable for what?
A
Lison-Pramaggiore DOC and Piave DOC are notable for what?
4
Q
Who is the star of the Colli Euganei DOC? What wines have made them famous?
A
Who is the star of the Colli Euganei DOC? What wines have made them famous?
5
Q
Who makes Bradisismo? What are the grapes and what’s the IGT? What DOC zone is this producer located in?
A
Inama
70% Cab with 30% Carmenère
Veneto IGT
Colli Berici DOC
6
Q
Colli Berici and Colli Euganei are traditional DOC zones in Veneto for what grapes?
A
Cabernet and Merlot among other international grapes
7
Q
Who makes “Fratta” and “Marchesante”? What is significant about them? What are their grapes?
A
Fausto Maculan
They are iconic cult wines of the Veneto
Fratta is a barrique aged Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend (Rosso Veneto IGT)
Marchesante is a single vineyard Merlot. (Breganze DOC)
8
Q
What icon of Amarone is considered to be middle ground in style?
A
Giuseppe Quintarelli
9
Q
How is it believed Amarone was first discovered?
A
By accident when a barrel of Recioto was left unattended and the wine fermented to near complete dryness.
10
Q
Between traditional and modern styles of Amarone, which is a more approachable, spicy, medium-bodied, and readily compatible with food? Which is fuller, richer, and better suited for cheeses?
A
Traditional stye is more approachable and flexible at the table.
Modern style, is richer, fuller, and better served with cheeses.
11
Q
The wines of Dal Forno are said to rival what wines?
A
The best vintage port
12
Q
What are 4 modern producers of Amarone?
A
Tommaso Bussola Allegrini Dal Forno Romano Masi Tedeschi
13
Q
What are 4 traditional producers of Amarone?
A
Bertani Tommasi Speri Bolla Accordini Le Ragose Le Salette
14
Q
What contributes a smoky element to the wines of Amarone?
A
botrytis
15
Q
How do styles of Amarone differ depending on what elevations the grapes are dried in?
A
Higher altitude drying sites produce wines that are lighter in color, higher in acidity, and more tannic.
Lower altitude sites have more humidity and create more opportunities for muffa nobile to affect the grapes creating wines that are richer and less acidic as the noble rot consumes tartaric acid creating more glycerol
16
Q
What are the name of the straw mats used for drying Amarone grapes?
A
graticci
17
Q
Who were the three pioneers who commercialized Amarone in the 1950s?
A
Bolla
Bertani
Masi
18
Q
What is the name of the rosato produced in Bardolino?
A
Chiaretto
19
Q
How does Bardolino compare to Valpolicella?
A
It is lighter in style and unlike Valpolicella it can be produced also in rosato style called “chiaretto”
20
Q
What three indigenous grapes are most commonly added to Valpolicella as “seasoning grapes”? What international grapes can be added to Valpolicella at a max of 10% each?
A
Croatina
Negrara
Dindarella
Cabernet and Merlot
21
Q
How does Rondinella compare to Corvina?
A
Like Corvina is deeply colored, but it is more aromatic
22
Q
What is the name of the sub variety of Corvina found in Valpolicella? How does it differ from Corvina?
A
Corvinone
Larger berries
23
Q
What does Valpolicella mean?
A
Valley of many cellars
24
Q
What are the min alcohol levels associated with all forms of Valpolicella at every quality level?
A
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG: 14% with exceptions
Valpolicella Ripasso DOC: 12.5% and 13% for Superiore
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG: 12%
Valpolicella DOC: 11% and 12% for Superiore
25
In Amarone della Valpolicella, if the wine is produced from grapes in the original delimited boundaries for the DOCG what may be listed on the label?
Classico or Valpantena
26
When was the Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG established?
2010
27
What are the aging requirements for Amarone della Valpolicella?
Amarone della Valpolicella: 2 years from 1/1 of YFH
Riserva: 4 years from 11/1 of YOH
28
What is the max RS allowed for Amarone della Valpolicella? What are the exceptions?
12g/L
For every 0.10% alcohol exceeding 14%, an additional 0.10g/L is allowed.
For every 0.10% alcohol exceeding 16%, an additional 0.15% g/L is allowed.
29
What are the grape requirements for Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, Valpolicella RIpasso DOC, and Valpolicella DOC? Hint: they are the same
45-95% Corvina (max 50% Corvinone)
5-30% Rondinella
max 25% other red grapes including max 10% Molinara
30
What is the maximum % of total production a producer may be permitted to devote to Amarone della Valpolicella? What may the rest be contributed to?
65% max
the rest can go towards Valpolicella DOC or Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
31
Prosecco (glera) is an early or late ripening variety?
late
32
Where is the Prosecco (glera) grape thought to have originated?
In Friuli near the town Prosecco not far from Trieste.
33
What were the earliest examples of Prosecco a result of? What are they closed to in style today?
Result of fermentation halting in the cold winters and resuming in the spring. This gave the wines a spritz.
Most resemble the frizzante wines of today.
34
When did the modern era of Prosecco start and who was responsible? What was his major contribution to this modern era?
1868 by Antonio Carpenè
developed the "tank" method or Charmat method for sparkling wine production
35
What are the hills between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano known as?
Colli Trevigiani
36
The combination of what to climatic forces make the Colli Trevigiani ideal for sparkling wine production?
Cool alpine breezes from Belluno and warmer air blowing off the Adriatic sea creates an environment for preserving acidity and aromas in the grapes.
37
Describe the wines that Prosecco (glera) creates. How do the wines produced from the lower-lying vineyards near Conegliano differ from those more higher up in Valdobbiadene?
the wines have a peach softness
more pronounced fruit from the wines in the lower-lying vineyards near Conegliano
more minerality and pronounced acidity from the vineyards of Valdobbiadene
38
Who are 2 producers making Prosecco in Conegliano? Who are 4 producers making Prosecco in Valdobbiadene?
Conegliano
Carmen Malvotti
Zardetto
```
Valdobbiadene
Nino Franco
Desiderio Bisol
Mionetto
Col Vetoraz
```
39
What is the sole sub zone of Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG? What makes this area so special?
Cartizze
It is extremely steep and low-yielding producing wines that are firmer, broader, and more powerful
40
Between what two communes is the Soave Classico zone?
Soave and Monteforte d'alpine due east of Verona
41
What is the pervasive soil type of Soave?
mineral-rich basaltic rock mixed with calcareous clays
42
What is the main grape of Soave? What is the most important grape blended in?
Garganega
Trebbiano di Soave
43
What three international grapes are allowed in Soave DOC at a max of 30% combined with Trebbiano di Soave?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Bianco
44
What percentage of Soave annually comes from the Classico zone?
Roughly a quarter
45
What are two of the best hillside sites in the Soave Classico zone?
Monte Foscarino
| Monte Froscà
46
Most garganega is described how? How are the lower yielding expressions different?
Flinty, lightly apply, and high in acid not unlike a midlevel Chablis
Lower-yielding vines give wines that are juicier, more tropical-tasting with ripe flavors of green melon and pear
47
What do many consider to be the Chablis of Italy?
Soave
48
What does Trebbiano di Soave contribute to the Soave blend?
inviting aromatics, with aromas of white flower and even a touch of pine
49
Who are the top producers of Soave? Who bottles under IGT?
```
Gini
Inama
Roberto Anselmi (bottles under IGT)
Leonildo Pieropan
Graziano Prà
Bolla
Bertani
```
50
Why does Roberto Anselmi bottle wines under IGT instead of Soave DOC?
He dislikes the pervasive tendone system that so many use stating that he thinks vines trained that way are incapable of producing quality grapes because they're geared to overproduction and they have diluted the integrity of the region.
He prefers Guyot or cordon-spur
51
Who makes "Capitel Foscarino"? What is it?
Roberto Anselmi
Iconic wine from the high elevation, south-facing Foscarino vineyard. Made from mostly Garganega with Chardonnay blended in.
Considered a "Super Soave"
Capitel means "shrine"
52
Who makes "Tufaie"? What is the DOC?
Bolla
| Soave Classico DOC
53
What is the distinction that separates Soave and Soave Classico?
Soave Classico is superior and planted on the higher altitude sites and most Soave DOC is planted on the lower sites and plains yielding inferior wines with less character.
54
What are the two best DOCs for Garganega and Trebbiano not named Soave? Which one must be mostly Garganega? Which one must be mostly Trebbiano?
```
Gambellara DOC (min 80% Garganega)
Lugana DOC (min 90% Trebbiano di Lugana)
```
55
Lugana DOC is shared between what two wine producing regions? Where is most of it located? It is located on the southern shores of what lake?
Veneto and Lombardia with most of the DOC located in Lombardia
Lake Garda
56
Who is widely regarded as the top two producers in Lugana DOC? Located in Lombardia or Veneto? Who's considered the best?
Ca' dei Frati (Lombardia) considered the best
Zenato (Veneto)
57
Who makes "San Benedetto"? What are the grapes? What's the DOC?
Zenato
100% Trebbiano di Lugana
Lugana DOC
58
What is considered the little brother DOC of Soave?
Gambellara
59
Who are the top producers of Gambellara?
Zonin
La Biancara
Dal Maso
60
What is the min% of Garganega required in Soave DOC vs Gambellara DOC?
Min 70% in Soave
| Min 80% in Gambellara
61
Sassaia and I Masieri are produced in what DOC? By who?
Gambellara DOC by La Biancara
62
What is the DOC of Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio? What freedom does this allow the winery?
Valdadige DOC
Allows the winery to source from Trentino-Alto Adige as well as Veneto
63
Folonari produces a massive amount of wine from what DOC?
Piave DOC
64
Where are the best red wines in Veneto produced around?
Verona
65
Who is the top producer in Breganze DOC? Who is right behind him?
Fausto Maculan
| Vigneto due Santi
66
In what mountain range do the vines proliferate from for the Valpolicella zone? What river do they approach as they move southward?
Monte Lessini
Adige River
67
What 5 areas make up the classico zone for Valpolicella? Which three are considered the most superior?
```
Negrar
Fumane
Marano
Sant'Ambrogio
San Pietro
```
Negrar, Fumane, and Marano are considered the most superior
68
Is Corvina a thick-skinned or thin-skinned varietal? Describe its expression
Thick skinned
firm tannins and rich, smoky, red-cherry scented
69
What is the term for drying grapes called? What are the two methods?
apassimento
leaving the grapes on the vine to dry or picking them and drying them on mats
70
Of all the styles of Valpolicella produced, which is considered the original? What came afterwards
Recioto, developed by the Romans
Amarone, as an accidental production wherein the recito was allowed to ferment to dryness
71
What is considered Italy's great answer to port?
Recioto della Amarone
72
Why isn't there a lot of old Amarone found the market?
Because such small quantities of it are made
73
What are considered to be the two finest vintages of Amarone in the past 50 years?
1967 and 1983
74
What does Amarone smell like?
Aromas of cherry syrup, coffee, leather, almonds, tar and spice
75
What happens to Amarone as it ages?
The sugary sweetness tempers out but the glycerine richness is preserved giving a sublime mouthfeel.
76
When are grapes for Amarone usually harvested and for how long are they left to dry? How much of the grape's weight is lost from the drying process?
Usually picked in early October and left to dry until January.
The grapes lose up to 30-40% of their original weight as they dry.
77
How much longer are grapes left to dry for Recioto Amarone della Valpolicella production compared to Amarone? How do they differ in regards to dryness/sweetness?
Over 1 month longer
Amarone is always dry or almost dry whereas Recioto is sweet
78
Which lake is responsible for moderating the climate around Valpolicella?
Lake Garda
79
What risk is the largest during appassimento for Amarone and Recioto production?
Humidity. Too much of it can result in rot or overly botrytized grapes.
80
What are the three most important factors that will determine the style of the Amarone produced?
Grapes and Blending
Length and Type of Appassimento
Method of Aging
81
What's the difference between traditional production/aging practices and modern production/aging practices in Amarone production? What are the resulting wine styles from both?
Traditional
Longer fermentations in large old barrels resulted in wines that were more oxidized resulting in lighter colored, spicy, more mature wines with more secondary aromas of nuts and dried fruits.
Modern
Shorter macerations, fermentations in stainless steal with cultured yeasts and aging in barrique produces wines that are darker and more youthful in style. Maximum extraction with minimal oxidation.
82
What are the tradeoffs contributed to botrytis in Amarone production?
makes the wines sweeter and rounder, but breaks down acid and tannin reducing the ageability of the wine.
83
What types of cheese would be a perfect pairing with the richer sweeter styles of Amarone? What's the local match?
Stinky cheeses
Monte Veronese is the local match. Even better with a Recioto
84
What is the ideal pairing for traditional Amarone?
game birds and lamb
85
Who makes "Mazzano"? What is it? Food pairings?
Masi
Dense rich Amarone with a lot of sweetness. Best served with a cheese course or even dessert
86
The Amarone wines of Giuseppe Quintarelli are described as a middle ground between what? How long does he age his wines and in what vessel? Where is his estate located?
the resiny maturity of the traditional style and the juicy extract of the modern style
ages wines for at least 6 years or more in large Slavonian casks
Negrar
87
Where is Allegrini located? What are they known for?
Fumane (Valpolicella)
Known for high quality Amarone
88
How is Valpolicella Ripasso produced?
Wine vilified from freshly harvested grapes in the fall is poured over the wine-drenched skins and pulp left over from an Amarone fermentation.
This incites a secondary fermentation, infusing the wine with a hint of the tarry, spicy, glycerol kick of Amarone.
89
Stylistically what may a wine be if labeled Valpolicella or Valpolicella Superiore?
Could be dry though many producers employ ripasso technique giving the wines a touch of richness and sweetness
90
What does Ripasso contribute to the expression of Valpolicella?
resiny, toffee richness to complement the cherry notes
91
Who are the three top producers in Bardolino?
Guerrieri-Rizzardi
Le Fraghe
Masi
92
What is the dominant soil type that makes the northeast of Veneto suitable for Cabernet?
Volcanic
93
Who are the top producers in Colli Berici DOC?
Inama
Dal Maso
Domenico Cavazza
Conte Alessandro Piovene
94
Who is the top producer in Colli Euganei DOC?
Vignalta
95
What is the Veneto's answer to Sauternes and Port respectively?
Recioto di Soave (Sauternes)
| Amarone (Port)
96
Who makes "I Capitelli"? What is this wine?
Roberto Anselmi
Recioto di Soave made from 100% Garganega (labeled as IGT)
botrytized wine fermented 15 months in Allier barrique
97
Who makes the dessert wine "Torcolato" what is it? DOC?
Fausto Maculan
Passito wine made in Breganze DOC from 100% Vespaiola
98
What does Torcolato mean? What style of wine does it pertain to?
Twisted
Pertains to passito wines and gets name from the way the grapes are dried in which whole clusters are strung together and hung up from the rafters of an attic, twisting as they hang.
99
Torcolato wines produced in Breganze DOC must be solely from what grape?
Vespaiola
100
Red and white blends produced in Breganze DOC must be produced mainly from what two grapes respectively?
Tai (Friulano) for white blends
| Merlot for red blends
101
What is the most ideal pairing for Torcolato wines?
Aged cheeses
102
How is Recioto della Valpolicella production different than Amarone in regards to fermentation?
Fermentation for Recioto della Valpolicella is arrested (often by chilling) where Amarone fermentation is allowed to complete.
103
What are two methods for producing Valpolicella Superiore?
Producing from vineyards with reduced yields and more concentrated wines
Using the ripasso method to strengthen the wine.
104
When are grapes for Recioto di Soave usually harvested?
Sometimes two weeks prior to regular harvest so that grapes have ample acidity to balance the resulting sweetness in the wines.
105
Berganze DOC is known mostly for red wines. Tai Rosso is a major grape here. What is it also known as in France?
Grenache
106
What are the two main grapes of Bianco di Custoza/Custoza DOC? What is the unique local clones of Tocai Friulano and Cortese called here respectively?
Trebbiano Toscana and Garganega
```
Trebbianello (Tocai Friulano)
Bianca Fernanda (Cortese)
```
107
Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio is considered a fuller bodied answer to what other famous Italian frizzante?
Moscato d'Asti
108
The Lessini DOC is known for what style of wine made from what grape? What grapes can be blended in?
Traditional method sparkling wine made from the Durella grape.
Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Garganega can be blended in
109
What happens to the acid and tannins of the grapes subjected to the appassimento process?What does this lend to the wine?
metabolization of the acids and polymerization of the tannins
Balanced acidity and sugar and a richer, softer mouthfeel
110
What three valleys comprise the Valpolicella classico zone? From what mountains are they produced?
Fumane, Marano, and Negrare Valleys
Lessini Mountains
111
What does standard Valpolicella mostly resemble?
Beaujolais
112
Hillside or low-lying vineyards? Where are the best Amarone and Recioto wines produced?
Hillside vineyards
113
The 1960s-1980s saw a drop in quality of Valpolicella wines due to increased yields. Money was made by selling higher quantity over quality and so many of the hillside vineyards were abandoned. What style of wine saved production in the hillside vineyards? Why?
Amarone
Prices for grapes for Amarone are regularly three times that for regular Valpolicella
114
What volume of Ripasso may be produced for a single fermentation?
Double that which was acquired form the Amarone fermentation that preceded it.
115
What is the dominant soil type of the Soave Classico zone which is located on the steeper eastern side of the Soave zone? What is the dominant soil type of the western side of the zone? What style of wine is characteristic for each?
Eastern side has more decomposed volcanic giving steelier wines with more nerve
Western side has more limestone and receives more afternoon sun giving fuller, more forward wines.
116
What are the hillside vineyards outside of the Soave Classico zone called?
Colli Scaligeri
117
Lugana DOC is located in what province?
Brescia
118
what is the dominant soil type of Lugana called? What is it made of?
menadel
clay-limestone soils
119
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG allows for the addition of up to 15% international varieties. What are the most commonly added?
Chardonnay
Pinot Bianco
Pinot Grigio
120
What is the name for cru in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG? Are these NV or vintage-dated? What does Rive translate to in the local dialect?
Rive
Vintage-dated
Translates to "hillside"
121
What is Prosecco Col Fondo? What does Col Fondo mean? Dry or sweet?
Prosecco that has been fermented in bottle and left undisgorged. They are released with an original crown cap and with a sediment on the bottom of the bottle.
Col Fondo means "with sediment"
Bone dry in style
122
Between Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG and Colli Asolani Prosecco DOCG, which has the lower max yield allowed?
Colli Asolani Prosecco
12 tonnes/ha compared to the 13.5 tonnes for Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG (though Rive and Cartizze wines are 12 tonnes/ha)
123
Where is Refrontolo produced? What is it? What is the main grape?
Produced in Colli Conegliano DOCG
Passito wine produced from min 95% Marzemino
124
Conegliano DOCG is famous for producing two passito wines. What are they? What are the grapes that are used for their production?
Refrontolo (min 95% Marzemino)
Torchiato di Fregona (mostly Glera with Boschera and Verdiso along with other grapes)
125
Grapes used for the production of Torchiato di Fregona must be air-dried for how many days minimum after harvest? Pressed when?
150 days and may not be pressed until Feb 1 following harvest.
126
What is the main grape used in the production of wines from Friularo di Bagnoli DOCG?
Raboso Piave
127
What style of wines are produced in Montello Rosso/Montello DOCG?
Bordeaux blends from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cab Franc, and/or Carmenere blended in.
128
What two DOCGs produce wine from Raboso Piave?
Friularo di Bagnoli DOCG
| Piave Malanotte/Malanotte del Piave DOCG
129
Which DOCG must be produced from 100% Garganega?
Recioto di Gambellara DOCG
130
Which Recioto DOCGs allows for the production of Spumante?
All Three
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Recioto di Gambellara DOCG
Recioto di Soave DOCG
131
What is the difference between Bardolino Superior DOCG and the Valpolicella DOC(G)s in regards to allowed % of Corvinone?
Bardolino allows up to 20%
| Valpolicella allows up to 50%
132
What sweetness levels are allowed for Colli Asolani DOCG and Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG Frizzante? Spumante Superiore?
Frizzante: Secco to Amabile
| Spumante Superiore: All traditional levels except Extra Brut and Dolce
133
What styles of wine are produced in Colli Euganei Fior d'Arancio DOCG?
Tranquillo, Spumante, Passito
134
Colli di Conegliano DOCG wines are produced from a blend of international varietals with traditional varietals. What are the main international varietals and indigenous varietals for whites? Reds?
Whites from Manzoni Bianco combined with Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon, and Riesling (must contain Manzoni Bianco, Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco)
Reds from Marzemino, Refosco, and Incrocio Manzoni combined with Cab, Cab Franc, and Merlot. (must contain Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot, and Marzemino)
135
What is a collection of vineyards called in Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG?
frazione
136
What is the main grape of Lison DOCG?
Tai (Friulano)
137
What two areas define the Soave Classico zone?
Soave
| Monteforte d'Alpone
138
What are the two main rivers that flow through Veneto en route to the Adriatic Sea?
Adige and Po
139
Rondinella is a progeny of what other main grape in Valpolicella?
Corvina
140
Trebbiano di Soave is synonymous with what grape?
Verdicchio Bianco
141
Campo Fiorin is produced by who? What is it and why is it significant?
Produced by Masi
It is a Ripasso Valpolicella and it is significant because it was the first ripasso created.
142
What cheese is the perfect pairing for Recioto della Valpolicella?
Taleggio
143
Who makes "La Grola"? What are the grapes? What is the DOC or IGT?
Allegrini
Mostly Corvina (around 80%) with Syrah and Oseleta blended in. Valpolicella for all intents and purposes.
Veronese IGT
144
Who makes Riserva Costasera? What style of wine is this?
Masi
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva
145
What are the 5 most commonly used grapes for Valpolicella and Amarone production?
```
Corvina
Rondinella
Molinara
Negrara
Oseleta
```
146
What are 5 crus of Soave?
```
Carniga
Foscarino
Fontana
Croce
Rocca
```
147
Who makes Col Foscarin? What is it?
Gini
Recioto di Soave Classico DOCG
