Lombardy, Trentino Alto Adige, Emilia Romagna, Valle d'Aosta

Question 1

What city in Lombardy fuels demand for the region’s wine?

Answer 1

Milan

Question 2

What two men spearheaded the beginning of the modern era for Franciacorta, and when did it begin?

Answer 2

Guido Berlucchi and
Maurizio Zanella (Ca del Bosco)

early 1960’s

Question 3

What are the grapes and stipulated percentages of Franciacorta DOCG?

Answer 3

Chardonnay
Pinot Nero
Pinot Bianco (max 50%)
Erbamat (max 10%)

Question 4

What is the total ageing time, and time spent on the lees for Franciacorta DOCG?

Answer 4

18 months on the lees from tirage, 25 months from harvest

Question 5

What is the total ageing time, and time spent on the lees for Franciacorta Riserva DOCG?

Answer 5

5 years (60mos) on lees from tirage, 67 months total from harvest

Question 6

What is the total ageing time, and time spent on the lees for Millesimato Franciacorta DOCG?

Answer 6

30 months on lees from tirage, 37 months total from harvest

Question 7

What is the total ageing time, and time spent on the lees for Franciacorta Saten/ Rose DOCG?

Are Saten and Rose allowed for Millesimato and Riserva?

Answer 7

24 months on lees from tirage, 31 months total from harvest

Yes.

Question 8

What are the 3 major stipulations for the Saten style of Franciacorta?

Is Erbamat allowed?

Answer 8

Only white grapes
Lower atm in bottle
May only be brut in style

No.

Question 9

What are the 2 major stipulations for the style of Franciacorta Rose?

Is Erbamat allowed?

Answer 9

Must be blended, not saignee
Minimum 35% Pinot Nero

Yes.

Question 10

What are the dosage levels allowed for Franciacorta/Rose, Millesimato, and Riserva?

Answer 10

Franciacorta/Rose - Zero to Demi Sec (up to 50g/L)
Millesimato - Zero to Extra Dry (up to 17g/L)
Riserva - Zero to Brut (0-12g/L)

Question 11

Under what DOC and IGT categories are the still wines of the Franciacorta region released?

Answer 11

Curtefranca DOC
Sebino IGT

Question 12

What are the 5 sub-regions of Valtellina Superiore DOCG?

What is Nebbiolo called here?

Answer 12

Valgella, Inferno, Grumello, Sassella, Maroggia

Chiavennasca

Question 13

Other than Franciacorta, what is the 2nd DOCG for sparkling wine in Lombardy?

What is the major difference between the two?

Answer 13

Oltrepo Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG

Pinot Nero is featured, min 70% required

Question 14

How long does Oltrepo Pavese spend ageing on the lees for NV? Millesimato?

Answer 14

15 months for NV, 24 for vintage

Question 15

What does Stagafassli mean?

Answer 15

Its a Valtellina Superiore DOCG wine that was bottled in Switzerland. Can also be aged there.

Question 16

What are the ageing requirements for Valtellina Superiore DOCG? Riserva?

What is the minimum % required Nebbiolo?

Answer 16

12 months in wood, 24 months total
Riserva requires 3 years total

90%

Question 17

Whats the style of Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG? How long must they age? Min ABV?

Answer 17

Like a Recioto della Valpolicella, dried by at least 50%, but fermented dry, 2 years ageing, 14% ABV

Question 18

Whats the style of Moscato di Scanzo DOCG?

What’s the name and size of bottle that it comes in?

Answer 18

Sweet Passito Red

Futura (500mL)

Question 19

What DOC covers all of Trentino Alto Adige?

Which 2 DOC’s do producers predominantly use in practice, in the German Northern section, and Italian Southern section?

Answer 19

Valdadige DOC

Trentino DOC
Alto Adige/Sudtiroler DOC

Question 20

How many DOCG are there in Trentino Alto Adige? What percentage of production achieves at least DOC level?

Answer 20

None

99%

Question 21

In Alto Adige, the sub zone Valle Isarco/Eisacktaler is known for quality offerings of these 3 white grapes.

Answer 21

(Gruner) Veltliner, Silvaner, and Kerner

Question 22

Does TAA produce more white wine or red wine?

What sub zone features the Schiava grape? What DOC also utilizes it in blends?

Answer 22

Traditionally red, white leads now though (64%)

Santa Maddelena/St Magdalener

Casteller DOC

Question 23

What city lies at the heart of TAA? What DOC, named for a local red specialty lies just North of town?

Answer 23

Trento

Teroldego Rotaliano DOC

Question 24

This super aromatic grape best known from Alsace actually hails from this village in TAA.

Answer 24

Gewurztraminer

Village of Tramin

Question 25

Where in Northern Italy does Lagrein thrive? What are the wines like, compared to Schiava?

Answer 25

Alto Adige Denser spicy wines compared to the light Schiava

Question 26

What is Schiava also known as? Name the grape that is a cross of Schiava and Riesling.

Answer 26

Vernatsch, Trollinger Kerner

Question 27

What's the climate like in Trentino Alto Adige?

Answer 27

Alpine continental, but dry, and very sunny. A little warm air from the Mediterranean makes its way up to warm the area.

Question 28

What three gastronomic items is the Emilia Romagna region known for?

Answer 28

Prosciutto di Parma Parmigiano Reggiano Balsamic Vinegar

Question 29

What was Italy's first DOCG for white wine, in what year, of what grape? What styles are allowed?

Answer 29

Romagna Albana DOCG in 1987, for the Albana grape, bianco secco, and passito wines

Question 30

The 2nd DOCG of Emilia Romagna is Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto, making dry white wine. In this nearby region the grape has a different name.

Answer 30

Grechetto, Umbria

Question 31

Nebbiolo goes by what name in the Valle d'Aosta?

Answer 31

Picotendro

Question 32

The Valle d'Aosta begins at the foot of what mountain? What river shapes the valley?

Answer 32

Mont Blanc Dora Baltea river

Question 33

Whats the climate like in Valle d'Aosta? What vine training system is employed here somewhat by necessity?

Answer 33

Similar to TAA, alpine continental, very dry, with tons of sunlight hours. Short warm Summers. A bit higher elevation on average though. Pergola, helps catch sunlight, and slate stones at the base warm as well.

Question 34

What percent of production is white in the Valle d'Aosta? What grape leads white and red production?

Answer 34

20% white Prie Blanc/Blanc de Morgex Petit Rouge

Question 35

Whats the name for Pinot Grigio in Valle d'Aosta?

Answer 35

Malvoisie

Question 36

What are the main soils of Valle d'Aosta?

Answer 36

Limestone and Schist, gravel on the valley floor

Question 37

In Valle d'Aosta, what % of production is bottled under that same name DOC? What DOC is the "mountain brother of Barolo"? Age req?

Answer 37

80% Valle d'Aosta DOC Donnas DOC, 24 months, 10 in oak