Nebbiolo, Barbera, & Corvina Flashcards
Which mountain range runs along the northern border of Italy, protecting it from very cold, northerly winds?
The Alps
Which river crosses all of northern Italy, starting in Piedmont and ending in Veneto?
Pò River
Which region in Italy is famous for the Nebbiolo grape?
Piedmont in northwest Italy.
Nebbiolo is the only black grape allowed in the wines from which 2 Piedmont DOCGs?
- Barolo DOCG2. Barbaresco DOCG
Describe the profile of Nebbiolo.
- Dry* Full body* High tannin* High acid* High alcohol* Red fruits (red cherry, plum)* Gentle florals (rose, violet)* Developing aromas include leather, truffles, tar/tobacco
Barolo DOCG and Barbaresco DOCG are always matured in which of the following:* inert vessels like stainless steel* oak, new and/or used
Oak, new and/or used
Why are Barolo and Barbaresco wines always matured in oak, whether it’s new or used?
Because Nebbiolo’s structure (high tannin, high acidity) makes it well suited for extended aging in wood.## FootnoteOak aging softens the tannins and helps the wine harmonize.
Which direction do the vineyards of Barolo face?
South
Which region in Italy has a high density of Barbera plantings?
Piedmont in the northwest.
Describe the profile of Barbera.
- Dry* Medium to full body* Medium tannin* High acid* Plush red fruits (cherries, plums)* Occasional black pepper
What is Barbera’s most famous DOCG?
Barbera d’Asti DOCG
Name some reasons why a young Barbera is generally more approachable than young Nebbiolo.
Barbera displays:* Lower tannin* More ample, plush fruit* Many are unoaked and less complex## FootnoteThis also makes Barbera generally less age-worthy than Nebbiolo.
Corvina is the most important black grape in which Italian region?
Veneto in the northeast.
Describe the profile of Corvina.
- Dry to off-dry, depending on the DOC or DOCG* Light body (Valpolicella DOC) to Full body (Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG)* Low to medium tannin (can be high tannin for Amarone)* High acid* Red fruits (cherries, plums, fresh figs)* Gentle florals (Hibiscus)
Name 4 important DOC/DOCGs in the Veneto whose wines are dominated by the black grape Corvina.
- Valpolicella DOC2. Valpolicella Classico DOC3. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG4. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG
Both Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG and Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG are made with _____ grapes.Which one is always going to be sweet?
Partially dried grapesRecioto della Valpolicella will always be sweet.
Generally, how are appellations that have “Classico” appended to them different from non-Classico appellations (e.g. Soave/Soave Classico, Valpolicella/Valpolicella Classico)?
Classicos generally:* Will be from smaller, hilly areas* Will have more distinctive character, more body, and more complexity
What winemaking technique is widely used in the Veneto region?
Appassimento## FootnoteHarvested grapes are dried on mats to concentrate sugars, acid, aroma and flavor characteristics.
Name 3 appellations in the Veneto that use the appassimento technique.
- Recioto di Soave DOCG (sweet white)2. Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG (sweet red)3. Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG (grapes only partially dried; dry to off-dry red)
Describe the profile of Amarone della Valpolicella.
- Dry to off-dry* Full body* High alcohol (15%+ abv)* High tannin* High acid* Dried fruits (figs, raisins, prunes)* Ripe red fruits (cherries)## FootnoteAmarone shows both ripe and dried fruits because the grapes are only partially dried, not fully dried, prior to fermentation.
