Northern Italy Flashcards
There are 5 key wine regions in Northern Italy, can you name them?
Alto Adige, Trentino, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Piemonte.
Which mountain range and river borders Northern Italy?
The Alps and the River Po.
Local rivers and glacial lakes such as Lake Garda provide what for grape growing regions?
They are a moderating influence to the inland areas.
Areas close to the sea experience higher rainfall, which seas are they and what problems could this cause?
The Adriatic Sea (to the East) and the Tyrrhenian Sea (West Coast). This could cause fungal diseases in the vineyard.
Higher density plantings are commonly using the VSP system in Northern Italy, but which training system are they using for high acid/low sugar grapes and why?
The Pergola system. The leaf canopy that sits horizontally above the grapes protects them from sunburn, and also it allows air to circulate around the grapes to prevent disease and rot. Good for sparkling wine.
What is the most Northern wine region in Italy? What style of wine is it most known for?
Alto Adige region. It has a high diurnal range which makes it suitable for the production of aromatic whites and light bodied reds. Pinot Grigio is the most notable for whites and Schiava dominates reds.
What grape varieties are important in Trentino? What do the slopes either side of its valley floor protect the region from?
Trentino is located just South of Alto Adige. It has plantings of vines all across its valley floor, and the slopes either side of the valley protecting it from Lake Garda. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot and Teroldego are grown here. Teroldego is deep, tannic, high acid, black fruit and can age.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is located in the North East of Italy. What mountain range will you find in the North of the region, and which sea influences the South?
The Alps mountain range. The Adriatic Sea, which helps produce a warm maritime climate compared to the cool continental in the North due to the Alps.
A large variety of grapes are grown in the region, but what white and red dominate?
Pinot Grigio (some of the fullest/ripest in Italy) and Merlot.
Which Italian region is responsible for producing Soave and Valpolicella?
Veneto. Surrounded by the Alps in the North, Lake Garda in the West, Venice in the East. Large region.
Which grape variety is used to produce Soave wine? What style does it produce typically?
Garganega. Wine are medium to high acid, medium body with pears, stone fruit, red apples, white pepper with the ability to develop honey aromas. No new oak.
Which grape variety produces Valpolicella and what style is it made in?
Corvina. Wines are often low tannin high acid wines with simple fruity aromas of cherry. rarely oaked and made to drink young.
What are the 4 quality levels for Italian wine? Rank them 1st to 4th with 1st being the highest quality.
1) DOCG
2) DOC
3) IGP/IGT
4) Vino/Vino di Tavola (VDT)
What do the traditional labelling terms stand for:
Classico:
Superiore:
Riserva
Classico: Wines made exclusively from grapes grown within a defined historical area of a DOC or DOCG
Superiore: Wines with a higher minimum alcohol level, typically an additional 0.5% abv.
Riserva: Wines submitted to a certain ageing period, at least two years for red wines and one year for white wines. Some individual DOC/DOCG specify that this ageing or part of it must be in oak.
Where in Italy is Piemonte? What are the regions most planted grape varieties (5 are listed)?
North West of Italy. Barbera, Moscato Bianco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Cortese