Northern Italy

Question 1

Describe the climate of Northern Italy.

Answer 1

moderate; short, dry summers, Alps shelter the vineyards and provide a rain shadow affect; Lake Garda and River Po moderate

Question 2

What vine-training method is popular in Northern Italy?

Answer 2

Traditionally the pergola method is used; the canopy protects the grapes from sunburn and increases air circulation. VSP training is now utilized for higher density plantings.

Question 3

What is Italy’s most northerly region and what grapes and DOCs are associated with it?

Answer 3

Alto Adige, with South-facing terraced vineyards along the River Adige.

Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Schiava.

Alto Adige DOC

Question 4

What are the key differences between Alto Adige and Trentino?

Answer 4

Trentino is slight warmer, due to latitude and influence of Lake Garda; generally flatter, produces fuller bodied, riper Pinot Grigio, also Merlot, Teroldego.

Trentino DOC

Question 5

Describe the climate, grapes and DOCs of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia.

Answer 5

warm maritime climate moderated by the Adriatic sea;

rich, ripe Pinot Grigio; also Friulano, Merlot

Friuli-Grave DOC (simple wines from the plains)
Friuli-Collio and Collio Orientali (premium wines from foothills)

Question 6

What wines is the Veneto best known for?

Answer 6

Simple, high-yield Pinot Grigio (also Chardonnay, Merlot, Trebbiano), often released as Veneto IGT

Prosecco DOC

Soave and Soave Classico DOC from Garganega

Valpolicella and Valpolicella Classico DOCG from Corvina and others … also Amarone DOCG, Recioto DOCG and Ripasso DOC

Question 7

What are the characteristics of Garganega?

Answer 7

apples, pears, stone fruit, almonds, medium plus acidity, medium body, no new oak

Question 8

What are the characteristics of Corvina?

Answer 8

high acid, low tannin, red cherry flavors

Question 9

Describe the difference between Amarone, Recioto, and Ripasso from a winemaking perspective?

Answer 9

Amarone wines are made in the passito style (high acid Corvina grapes are dried indoors, concentrating their flavors) and fermented to dryness, resulting in a full body, high alcohol wine with intense red fruit.

Recioto is also made in the passito style, but these grapes are so sweet the yeasts die before fermentation can complete, resulting in a sweet, concentrated high alcohol wine.

Ripasso is made by added the fermented skins of an Amarone to a Valpolicella, adding color, flavor and tannins to the wine.

Question 10

What is the climate of Piemonte?

Answer 10

Located in northwest Italy between the Alps and the Appenines, this moderate, continental area is known for thunderstorm, hail and fog.

Question 11

What are the primary grapes of Piemonte?

Answer 11

Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato, Cortese

Also Brachetto, Freisa, Arneis, Erbaluce

Question 12

What are the ageing requirements for Barolo and Barbaresco?

Answer 12

Barolo 3 years | 5 years Riserva | 18 mo oak
Barbaresco 2 years | 4 years Riserva | 9 mo oak

Both DOCGs much be made 100% from Nebbiolo.

Question 13

What are the characteristics of Nebbiolo?

Answer 13

light color, high acid and tannin, dried flowers, sour cherries, herbs, leather, tar

Question 14

What wines are Alba, Asti and Gavi most known for?

Answer 14

Barbera, a grape with medium tannins and high acid, is associated with Asti and Alba

Dolcetto, an early ripening, purple plum flavored wine with medium acid and tannins, is associated with Alba

Cortese, a late-ripening, floral, high acid grape, is associated with Gavi