Nebbiolo, Barbera and Corvina

Question 1

Describe the characteristics of Nebbiolo.
-Acidity
-Tannins
-Flavours/aromas

Answer 1

-Acidity: High
-Tannins: High
-Flavours/aromas: Red fruit (red cherry, red plum), dried herbs, sometimes floral (rose, violet)

Question 2

Is it typical for Nebbiolo to be matured in oak for extended periods? Why?

Answer 2

Yes
Soften the high levels of tannins

Question 3

Why can the best examples of Nebbiolo mature and improve in bottle?

Answer 3

High acidity and high tannin grape variety

Question 5

Name some typical flavours you can expect to experience in a bottle matured Nebbiolo.

Answer 5

Mushroom, tobacco, leather

Question 6

Name the 2 famous Northern Italian regions which are famous for single variety Nebbiolo wines.

Answer 6

Barolo DOCG
Barbaresco DOCG

Question 7

Describe the characteristics of Barbera.
-Acidity
-Tannins
-Flavours/aromas

Answer 7

-Acidity: High
-Tannins: Low to medium
-Flavours/aromas: red fruit (red cherry, red plum), sometimes black pepper

Question 8

True or false, Barbera is only made in an unoaked, fruity style of wines.

Answer 8

False, many are, but some producers mature their wines in oak

Question 9

Name the highest quality wine region for Barbera in Italy.

Answer 9

Barbera d’Asti DOCG

Question 10

True or false: in general, Barbera wines are enjoyable to drink at a younger stage than Nebbiolo.

Answer 10

True.

Question 11

Describe the characteristics of Corvina.
-Acidity
-Tannins
-Flavours/aromas

Answer 11

-Acidity: High
-Tannins: Low to medium
-Flavours/aromas: red fruit (red cherry, red plum)

Question 12

Are Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella DOC Classico wines single variety wines or blends?

Answer 12

Blends. Corivina dominates the blend.

Question 13

What is the difference between Valpolicella DOC and Valpolicella DOC Classico?

Answer 13

Valpolicella DOC Classico comes from the hillier heartland of the region, which typically leads to wines with more body and complexity than Valpolicella DOC.

Question 14

What Corvina based wine is best described as so: dry to off-dry red wine, full bodied, high alcohol, high tannins, pronounced flavours of fresh red cherries and dried fruit (plums, raisins, figs).

Answer 14

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

Question 15

Name the method of picking and drying grapes which is widely used in the Veneto region.

Answer 15

Appassimento

Question 16

Name 2 red wines from the Veneto area in Italy which use the appassimento method. What is the main difference between these two wines?

Answer 16

Amarone della Vlpolicella DOCG
Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (sweet red wine)