NE Italy

Question 1

Friuli Geogrpahy and climate

Answer 1

• NE most region in Italy, borders Austria and Slovenia, Slavic and German influence
  
  • German winemaking philosophy along with temperature control in the 1960s made fresh, fruity whites an international hit
• Benefits from Alps and Adriatic airflows
• 2 distinct growing areas
  
  • Hillsides
    
    • In East, Collio and Collio Orientali
    • Calcareous Marl
    • Lower yields
  • Alluvial Plains

Question 2

Friuli grapes

Answer 2

• Because of geographic position, many conquerers and many grapes planted
  
  • Large number of varietals produced, wineries famous for having many wines
  • Wide variety of grapes planted means that varietal wines of many different grapes allowed in DOCs
    
    • Tocai Friulano - local
    • Ribolla - local
    • Malvasia - local
    • Riesling - German
    • Traminer - Austrian
    • Muller-Thurgau - German
    • Pinot Grigio - Local
    • Pinot Blanc - Intl
    • Chardonnay - intl
    • Refosco - local
    • Schioppettino - local
    • Blaufrankish - Austrian
    • Merlot, CS and CF - intl

Question 3

Oltrepo Pavese

Answer 3

• Geography and climate
  
  • In southern Lombardy, on the banks of the river Po
  • Calcareous soil at elevation in Apennine foothills
  • River bank vineyards keep area warm
• Largest production area in Lombardy
• Reds from Barbera usually blended with Bonarda
• Generally inexpensive
• Frecciarossa is leading estate

Question 4

Valtellina Geogrpahy, climate and soil

Answer 4

• Geography and climate
  
  • Nebbiolo grown on steep slopes of Adda River
  • Long summers w/cool nights
  • Relatively warm climate from river and protection of Northernly cold winds by mountains
  • Lots of sun
  • Further north than Nebbiolo could ripen otherwise
• Soils
  
  • Rocky soils and stone terraces help to capture warmth
    *

Question 5

Valtellina style

Answer 5

Normale
Superiore
Higher alcohol
Longer aging (24 months) and oak requirement (12 months)
Sforzato
Dry red from Nebbiolo made similar to Amarone

Question 6

Alto Adige Geography and climate

Answer 6

• Northern part of T-AA
  
  • Alpine climate, grapes planted up to 1000m
    
    • Alps blocks cold winds
    • Steep slopes create excellent exposition for long ripening
  • Temperature variation helps retain acidity

Question 7

Alto Adige Grapes

Answer 7

• Indigenous variaties
  * Lagrein
  * Schiava, most widely planted grape
  
  • International varieties the norm
    
    • Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay
    • Merlot

Question 8

Alto Adige history and trade

Answer 8

• 2/3 of production controlled by co-ops, Power so great they can dictate cultivation, led to int’l varieties
  
  • Small quantity, quality high
    
    • Improvements in vineyard including a change to guyot from Pergola
    • Yield reductions
  • Absence of detailed DOC system, no DOCG, leads to misconception about quality
  • International community starting to recognize the highly original, fresh wines of AA, not just PG

Question 9

Trentino geography and climate

Answer 9

• Southern half of T-AA
  
  • Though north, region gets a lot of heat
  • Viticulture centered on banks of Adige
  • 4 sub-zones with some local focus

Question 10

Trentino grapes and trade

Answer 10

• Though not much quantity, quality not necessarily that high
  
  • Mostly run by a few co-ops
  • DOC system (or lack thereof) setup with large scale production in mind, not terroir
• Grapes
  
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio dominate
  • Teroldago is successful indigenous red
    
    • Foradori leading the way, gravel soils in the Rotaliano Plain

Question 11

Grave Geography, climate and soil

Answer 11

• Alluvial plains of Friuli west of Udine
  
  • Vast DOC down by Adriatic,
  • Maritime influence
  • Alluvial gravel and sand deposited by many river, high yielding

Question 12

Grave grapes

Answer 12

• High leading Sauvignon Blanc dominates

* Piercing herbaceousness, not good

Question 13

Grave trade

Answer 13

• Responsible for 50% of Friuli’s output, so large it is more like an IGT than a DOC
• quality varies, high yields permitted

Question 14

Colli Orientali Geography, soil and climate

Answer 14

• Eastern hills of Friuli
  
  • High in elevation, alpine climate
  • Calcareous marl and sandstone “Flysch of Cormons”

Question 15

Colli Orientali grapes

Answer 15

• 17 varietal wines allowed under DOC, confusing for customers
  
  • Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc with barrique aging found here

Question 16

Colli Orientali trade

Answer 16

• Trend of releasing reds under Vino da Tavola, as a sort of equivalent to Super Tuscan and to mark a difference from the lighter, fruitier, facile reds of the past
  • Highest quality area of Friuli
  • Renewed interest in indigenous varieties this century
    
    • Schioppettino making a comeback

Question 17

Colli grapes

Answer 17

• 18 varietal wines allowed under DOC
  
  • Pinot Grigio, Sauv Blanc and Chardonnay still dominate
  • Tocai Friulano - local, renewed interest
  • Ribolla - local, renewed interest
  • Merlot, CS and CF - intl, majority

Question 18

Colli geogrpahy, climate and soil

Answer 18

• Steep hillside vineyards in Eastern Friuli
  
  • Not quite as high as Orientali so more Adriatic influence here
    
    • Climate somewhat in between Maritime of Grave and Alpine of Orientali
  • Calcareous Marl

Question 19

Colli winemaking

Answer 19

• Temperature control leads to fresh whites of international appeal
  
  • Ribolla historically fermented on skins, renewed interest. Gravner
  • Reds of Cabernet are very light and often taste underripe

Question 20

Colli trade

Answer 20

• Qualitatively an important zone, predominantly white
  
  • Pinot Grigio and SB dominate - Brought fame to Italy for white wines
  • Ribolla/Friulano blend most historic and prestigious