North-West Italy Flashcards
Langhe is part of what province?
Cuneo Province
Most grown grape in Piedmont
Barbera
Most grown red and white grape in Piedmont
Red (and overall): Barbera
White: Moscato Bianco
Piedmont climate
Moderate continental
Cold winters
Hot summers
What protects Piedmont from cold north winds and excessive rainfall?
The Alps
Weather systems broguht from the Mediterranean by the Appennines
Weather risks in Piedmont?
Thunderstorms
Hail
Fog
Late frosts
Rainfall in Piedmont increases in late Sept, early Oct. So what?
Nebbiolo is late ripening
This is a threat to it!
Nebbiolo buds early or late?
Buds early
spring forst
Nebbiolo ripens early or late?
Ripens very late
Is Nebbiolo a vigorous variety?
Yes
Piedmont; Nebbiolo grown mostly in which province?
Cuneo province, esp. in Langhe
Also northern provinces
Nebbiolo wine style
Pale ruby, turning garnet 3-5 yrs Pronounced violet, rose, red cherry, red plum Full body High tannin High acid High alcohol
Nebbiolo gives best, most perfumed wines on what soils?
Calcareous marls
Why does Nebbiolo ahve to be pruned high?
First few buds are infertile, need more buds so some will bear fruit
Nebbiolo is vigorous. So what?
Needs regular canopy management (avoid unripe fruit due to shading) Trimming of the canopy Cluster thinning (time consuming)
Nebbiolo clonal research: what was the aim? what is (arguably) the result?
Growers wanted deeper colour
Arguably have lost aromatic intensity
Massal selection for Nebbiolo, championed by who?
Gaja
Mass selection for Nebbiolo seeks what characteristics. So what?
Low vigour (wines with more concentration) Open bunches (reduce fungal disease) Small berries (good depth of colour)
Barolo being “the wine of kings, the king of wines” associated with what royal family?
The House of Savoy
Exposition in Barolo DOCG
South- and south-west facing slopes
200-400m (like Cote d’Or)
Max yields in Barolo DOCG?
56hl/ha
Ageing requirement for Barolo DOCG
Aged for 3 years and 2 months after harvest (inc. 18 months in oak)
Ageing requirement for Barolo Riserva DOCG
Aged for five years and two months (inc. 18 months in oak)
Two contrasting soil-type/zones in Barolo?
- blue-grey marl in north and west (eg La Morra) => light, aromatic wines, drinkable after a few years
- less fertile, yellow-grey compacted sand and clay, in south and east (eg Serralunga d’Alba) => closed and tannic in youth, cellar for 10-15 years
Tradition for blending Barolo from across the region, still championed by which notable producer?
Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo DOCG: example of prestigious single vineyards?
Cannubi
Vigna Rionda