Lombardia 2 Flashcards
What is the most populated region in Italy
Lombardia
What is the 4th largest region?
Lombardia
What is the capital of Lombardia?
Milano (2nd largest city)
Is Lombardia predominately indigenous or international
International
Most local lost to phylloxera
How far back does viticulture go in Lombardia?
Bronze Age
What people enhanced Lombardi wines in ancient times?
Etruscan then Romans
When did the Germanic Lombards arrive?
6th c AD
200 years
Who revived viticulture in the middle ages?
Monks
What influence did France have?
Napolean brought French grapes in the 18th c AD
What borders Lombardia
Switzerland to the north
Emili-Romagna to south
Piemonte to west
Veneto / TAA to east
How many sectors in Lombardia and what are they?
4 sectors
- Alpine
- Prealps - narrow
- Padana Plain
- Apennine foothills (SW corner)
Is Lombardia hilly, mountains or plains
Plains 47%
Mountains 41%
Hills 12%
What are the lakes of Lombardia?
Garda
Como
Maggiore
Iseo
What do the lakes influence?
Moderate diurnal temperature swings
Impacts all but southern region of Lombardia
What is Lombardia climate?
Continental
Big climate variation
Lakes, rivers, mountains, hills
What are the 3 climate zones of Lombardia?
- Alpine Zone - cold at altitude, less harsh in valleys
- Lake Zone - N Central - provide Med like influence and Prealps are in this zone
- Pianura Padana (Padana Plain) - S - Continental, server winters, hot summers, humid, fog in autumn. Includes Apennine Foothills
What is Padana Plains in Italian?
Pianura Padana
Where is the most rainfall in Lombardia?
Alps and Prealps
Where are international grapes most dominate?
Franciacorta
Oltrepo Pavese
What is Turbiana?
Trebbiano di Lugana
Principal white variety of Lugana DOC
17th c
What is Turbiana identical to?
Verdicchio
But different character
What is Turbiana character?
High Quality Perfumed Rich, Full Body High Acidity Affinity for Oak Long ageing potential
What is Croatina?
Lombardia red native
Dates to Middle Ages
Most widely planted of all Lombardi grapes
Oltrepò Pavese (Bonarda)
What is Croatina called in Oltrepò Pavese
Bonarda
Where is Nebbiolo dominant and what is its local name?
Valtellina
Chiavennasca
Where is the only major winegrowing area where Nebbiolo thrives and is produced in quantity?
Valtellina
What is Groppello?
Refers to a group of red varieties sharing similar characteristics
Groppello Gentile is the leader of the group
Where is Groppello planted?
Around Lake Garda
What is Groppello often used?
for Chiaretto Rosato
What is unique about Groppello Gentile?
Large Berries
What is the 2nd most planted variety in Lombardia?
Pinot Nero (13%)
Where is Pinot Nero mostly found?
Oltrepò Pavese
Used for traditional method sparkling
and dry version
What is the 3rd most planted grape?
Chardonnay (10%)
Where is Chardonnay most used?
Franciacorta for sparkling wines
Turbiana is genetically identical to
a. Pinot Grigio
b. Verdicchio
c. Vermentino
d. Trebbiano
b. Verdicchio
What is made into Chiaretto Rosato?
Groppello
Turbiana grown were?
Lugana DOC
Croatina grown were?
Oltrepò Pavese
Nebbiolo grown were?
Valtellina
Groppello grown were?
Lake Garda
Which is correct?
a. Chardonnay is widely grown in Franciacorta
b. Pinot Nero is widely grown in Oltrpò Pavese
c. Chardonnay is used only for sparkling
d. Pinto Nero is used only for dry table wine
a & b
Chardonnay is made in several blends
Pinto Nero is made in sparkling and dry
How many sub-regions present specific climate and topographical features?
6 sub-regions
- Valtellina
- Bergamo Hills
- Garda Lombardo
- Oltrepò Pavese
- Lower Lombardia
- Franciacorta & Brescia Hills
What is Lombardia’s most northerly winegrowing area?
Valtellina
Where are vineyards located in Valtellina?
Northern Bank of Adda River
Foothills of the Alps
Why is Valtellina suitable for Nebbiolo?
Perfect, South Facing aspect
Allows late ripening Nebbiolo
What is unique about Valtellina’s vineyards?
Limited space
Historically tiny terraces plots
700-800m
What are the soils of Valtellin?
Granitic sands
Broken schist
Alluvial material
Shallow and Poor
What is the breakdown of DOC/Gs in Valtellina
2 DOCG
1 DOC
all from Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca)
Where are the best Valtellina wines?
Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
Nebbiolo
Describe Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG
Full Nebbiolo Clusters air dried
Dry red wine
14% min ABV
20 m ageing / 12m oak
Valtellina Superiore DOCG
90% Nebbiolo
2 years / 1y oak
Riserva requires 3 years
How many subzones in Vatellina Superiore DOCG?
5 subzones
- Valgella
- Inferno
- Grumello
- Sassella
- Maroggia
What is the largest and most eastern subzones in Vatellina Superiore DOCG?
Valgella
Soft, Floral and Forward
What subzones in Vatellina Superiore DOCG is the warmest on steep slopes?
Inferno “Hell”
Hotter conditions here. Steep, rocky vineyards
What are Vatellina Inferno wines like?
Most Structured, Tannic, Austere
Possess greatest ageing potential
What are Vatellina Grumello wines like?
Fragrant
Soft Tannins
Similar ageing as Inferno